Promoting Conceptual Change through Cognitive Conflict
Beverly L. Wood, University of Virginia
Wendi E. Dass, Piedmont Virginia Community College
Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy
February 8, 2012
1. A fair coin is flipped five times, each time landing with tails up; TTTTT. What is the
most likely outcome if a coin is flipped a sixth time?
a) Tails
b) Heads
c) Tails and a heads are equally likely
2. A fair coin is tossed six times. Which of the following sequence of outcomes is the
most likely result of six flips of the fair coin? (H: Head, T: Tails)
a) THHTHT
b) HTHTHT
c) Both sequences are equally likely
3. Two containers, labeled A and B, are filled with red and blue marbles in the following
quantities. Container A contains 100 marbles, 65 red and 35 blue ones. Container B
contains 10 marbles, 6 red and 4 blue ones. After choosing one of the containers, you
must draw out a marble (without looking, of course). If you draw a blue marble, you win
$10. Which container gives you a better chance of winning?
a) Container A (with 65 red and 35 blue)
b) Container B (with 6 red and 4 blue)
c) Equal chances from each container
4. Jenny lives in Minnesota and is choosing where she will go on vacation this summer.
She is eager to spend some time in the sun and swim in the open water. Which of the
following is more likely?
a) Jenny will vacation in Virginia this summer.
b) Jenny will vacation in Virginia Beach this summer.
5. A person must select committees from a group of 10 people. (A person may serve on
more than one committee). Would there be:
a) More distinct possible committees of 8 people?
b) More distinct possible committees of 2 people?
c) The same number of committees of 8 as committees of 2?
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