Year 8 Whole Project
Probability Unit
VELS Progresion Points:
Measurement, Chance and Data
4.5
*contrast between the stability of long run relative frequency and the variation of observations based on small samples
4.75
*use of random numbers to assist in probability simulations and the arithmetic manipulation of random numbers to achieve
the desired set of outcomes
4.75
*calculation of theoretical probability using ratio of number of ‘successful’ outcomes to total number of outcomes
4.75
*use of tree diagrams to explore the outcomes from multiple event trials
5.0
*Students use appropriate technology to generate random numbers in the conduct of simple simulations.
5.0
*Students identify empirical probability as long-run relative frequency.
5.0
*They calculate theoretical probabilities by dividing the number of possible successful outcomes by the total number of
possible outcomes.
5.0
*They use tree diagrams to investigate the probability of outcomes in simple multiple event trials.
Structure
5.0
*students identify collections of numbers as subsets of natural numbers, integers, rational numbers and real numbers.
5.0
They use venn diagrams and tree diagrams to show the relationships of intersection, union, inclusion (subset) and
complement between the sets.
5.0
They list the elements of the set of all subsets (power set) of a given finite set and comprehend the partial-order relationship
between these subsets with respect to inclusion (for example, given the set { a, b, c} the corresponding power set is {Ø, {a},
{b}, {c}, {a, b}, {b, c}, {a, c}, {a, b, c}}.)
WEBSITE REFERENCES:
Maths 300
www.curriculum.edu.au/maths 300
Concepts
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Notion of Chance as
Probability
Probability Continuum
Expression of
Probability as a word,
fraction, decimal or
percentage.
Key Skills
*Chances of something happening can
range from 0 to 1 as a continuum
*Discuss Notation i.e
Pr(tossing a head on a coin) = ½
*Discuss fraction, decimal and
percentage form in probability
Activities
Clothes Line Activity Outline
Clothes Line Activity
Outline.docx
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #1.docx
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #2.docx
Concepts
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Exploring Probability with
various objects
Introduction of Set
Notation
Exploring Probability
using a pack of playing
cards
Key Skills
Resources
*Introduction of Sample Space and Set
Notation
*Exploring Probability with various
objects
*From this introduce the following terms
and set notation:
-Sample Space
-Universal Set (ξ)
-Brackets { }
-Subsets ⊂ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ⊃
-Element of or not Element of ∈ 𝑜𝑟 ∉
-Number of ( n Pr(A) )
-Outcomes
Package (between pairs)
Includes: 1 x 6 sided dice
1 x 10 sided dice
Coin
Letters of a word (Super)
Activity Worksheet
*Familiarising themselves with a pack of
52 playing cards
*Finding Probabilities with a pack of 52
playing cards
*Designing a pack of playing cards given a
set of probabilities
14 sets of Playing Cards (one
pack per pair)
Activity
worksheet.docx
14 sets of 52 blank squares of
paper.
Designing a Deck of Cards
Instructions
Designing a Deck of
Cards.docx

Combining Probility and
Set Notation using an
Open Ended Approach
*Exploring Probability using Venn
Diagrams and Karnaugh Maps
*Listing Outcomes
Instruction sheet for Open
Ended Approach
Combining Sets and
Probability Instruction Sheet.docx
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Sampling
Simulations
Experimental Vs
Theoretical Probability
Lattice Diagrams
*Explore the notion of Sampling and
how it can be used.
*Explore theoretical Vs Experimental
Probability
*Designing a sample space given a set
of probabilities
Farmer Joe Activity
*Lattice diagrams
*Listing Outcomes
Take Away Activity
Farmer Joe
Activity.docx
Maths 300 - Lesson #58
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tree Diagrams
Tree Diagrams
Examine the use of tree diagrams here –
instruct students to always place the
probability on each branch in fraction
form.
Explore with replacement first.
For enrichment discuss with the students
what would change if the item was not
replaced.
Maths 300 Lesson #146
Division Boxes
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Venn Diagram
*Constructing Venn Diagrams
*Reading Venn Diagrams
*Finding Probabilities from Venn
Diagrams
*Incorporating Set Notation with Venn
Diagrams (∪,∩, ξ, A’ etc)
Human Venn Diagram
Draw or place rope in two or
three intersecting circles on the
floor. Get the students to stand
in the circle or section that they
belong in. For example the
three circles could represent 3
sports or TV programs or
Lunchbox foods.
Discuss the probabilities
represented by the diagram.
Discuss the number and how
people can belong to one or
more groups and are not
counted more than once.
Venn Diagrams and Set
Notation
Complete a Worksheet or text
book problems on constructing
and reading Venn Diagrams
using set notation
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Assessment Task
Useful Websites:
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/ShapeExplorer/
http://illuminations.nctm.org
http://nlvm.usu.edu/