Virginia SOL 8.PS.1
SOL Standard (Knowledge and Skills Cluster)
The student will use statistical investigation to determine the probability of independent and dependent events, including those in context.
Virginia Standards of Learning for Mathematics
Cluster contents
Knowledge and Skills in This Standard
8.PS.1 is a Standards of Learning standard. These are the knowledge and skills expectations under it.
- 8.PS.1.a
Determine whether two events are independent or dependent and explain how replacement impacts the probability.
- 8.PS.1.b
Compare and contrast the probability of independent and dependent events.
- 8.PS.1.c
Determine the probability of two independent events.
- 8.PS.1.d
Determine the probability of two dependent events.
Teacher's field guide
What This Cluster Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students decide whether one event changes the probability of another event. They find the probability that both events occur and explain how replacement affects the calculation.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a situation, students label the events independent or dependent and justify the label using changed or unchanged probabilities. They multiply the correct fractions and update the second fraction when needed.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may assume two separate events are always independent. They may add probabilities when asked for both events or forget to change the second fraction after no replacement. They may also change the fraction even when the item is replaced.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A bag has 3 red and 2 blue counters. Find the probability of drawing red twice with and without replacement, then classify each situation.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have pairs draw colored counters from bags, record results with and without replacement, and compare the experimental probabilities.
Ask students to explain why replacing a drawn card can change whether two draws are independent.
Play a sorting game where teams classify event cards as independent or dependent, then calculate the probability of both events.
Use quality control sampling to compare checking two products when the first product is returned to the batch or removed.
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Printable 8.PS.1 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 8.PS.1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
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