CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.C.5
The standard
Understand that the probability of a chance event is a number between 0 and 1 that expresses the likelihood of the event occurring. Larger numbers indicate greater likelihood. A probability near 0 indicates an unlikely event, a probability around 1/2 indicates an event that is neither unlikely nor likely, and a probability near 1 indicates a likely event.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · Statistics and Probability
What this standard means
Students need to place events on a probability scale from 0 to 1 and explain what the numbers mean. They should connect words like impossible, unlikely, equally likely, likely, and certain to fractions, decimals, and percents.
Mastery looks like comparing events and defending placements with clear reasoning. Students often think 0 means “rare” instead of impossible, or that 1 means “very likely” instead of certain. They may also struggle with values near 1/2, especially when wording is vague.
Ways to teach it
- Have students sort event cards onto a 0 to 1 number line using string, clothespins, and labels like impossible, unlikely, likely, certain.
- Ask students to write three events from their school day and assign each a probability with a one-sentence reason.
- Use an exit ticket with five events and ask students to match each to 0, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or 1.
- Discuss weather forecasts by comparing 10%, 50%, and 90% rain chances and what each would mean for planning recess.
Plan a lesson for CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.C.5
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Related standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.C.8a
Understand that, just as with simple events, the probability of a compound event is the fraction of outcomes in the sample space for which the compound event oc...
- CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.C.6
Approximate the probability of a chance event by collecting data on the chance process that produces it and observing its long-run relative frequency, and predi...
- CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.C.7a
Develop a uniform probability model by assigning equal probability to all outcomes, and use the model to determine probabilities of events.
- CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.C.7
Develop a probability model and use it to find probabilities of events. Compare probabilities from a model to observed frequencies; if the agreement is not good...