Florida B.E.S.T. MA.912.DP.6.1
The Standard
Define a random variable for a quantity of interest by assigning a numerical value to each individual outcome in a sample space; graph the corresponding probability distribution using the same graphical displays as for data distributions.
Florida B.E.S.T. Standards for Mathematics
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students choose a numerical quantity that changes with a chance experiment, then assign a value to every possible outcome. They combine probabilities for repeated values and show the distribution in a table and graph.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a chance experiment, a student names the variable, lists its possible values, and finds each value’s probability. The probabilities total 1, and the graph has correctly labeled values and probabilities.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may confuse an outcome, such as HT, with the variable value, such as one head. They may fail to combine probabilities for outcomes with the same value or create probabilities that do not total 1.
How to Assess It
- Give this exit ticket: “Two fair coins are tossed. Let X be the number of heads. List the outcomes, make a probability table, and graph it.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs outcome cards HH, HT, TH, and TT; have them sort by number of heads and build probability bars with cubes.
Ask students to explain why HT and TH have the same variable value but each adds probability to the distribution.
Run a matching game where students pair sample-space cards, probability tables, and graphs for coin, die, and spinner experiments.
Use a carnival spinner with labeled prizes; students define net winnings after ticket cost and graph the probability distribution.
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Related Standards
- MA.912.DP.6.3
Develop a probability distribution for a discrete random variable using empirical probabilities. Find the expected value and interpret it as the mean of the dis...
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- MA.7.DP.2.1
Determine the sample space for a simple experiment.
- MA.8.DP.2.1
Determine the sample space for a repeated experiment.
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