Who plays what?

Purpose

This problem solving activity has a statistics focus.

Achievement Objectives
S1-3: Investigate situations that involve elements of chance, acknowledging and anticipating possible outcomes.
Student Activity

A grid showing icons for hockey, soccer, and swimming beside the names Jason, Rangi, and Emma.

 

Jason, Emma and Rangi are talking about their favourite sports that are soccer, swimming and hockey.

 

 

Jason says, "It’s impossible for me to ever be off-side."
Emma says, "It’s certain that I will use a stick to hit the ball."
Rangi says, "It’s possible that I might become an All White."

 

 

Who plays what?

 

Specific Learning Outcomes
  • Use words to describe the likelihood of events.
  • Use logical reasoning to solve a problem.
Description of Mathematics

This is a logic problem drawing on students' general knowledge of sport. Ensure you frame this problem around sports students are familiar with. The aim of the problem is to practice accurately using words relating to probability.

Required Resource Materials
Activity

The Problem

Jason, Emma and Rangi are talking about their favourite sports that are soccer, swimming and hockey.

Jason says, "It’s impossible for me to ever be off-side."
Emma says, "It’s certain that I will use a stick to hit the ball."
Rangi says, "It’s possible that I might become an All White."

Who plays what?

Teaching Sequence

  1. Give the students in pairs 3 cards with the words possible, impossible and certain on them. Ask questions of the class and get the students to hold up the word that describes the event (for example)
    Tomorrow it will snow.
    You will have potatoes for tea.
    You will become a Silver Fern or an All Black or an All White.
  2. Read the problem with the class. 
  3. Give the students time to think about the problem before getting them to work with others. As they work, ask questions that prompt them to communicate their reasoning:
    How do you know that Jason is a swimmer?
    What does impossible mean? Certain? Possible?
  4. Share solutions.
    Match the pictures of the sports with the name cards.

Extension

Jane joins the group – her clue is that in her sport it is certain that she will catch a ball. What sports could she play?

Solution

Since both hockey and soccer have off-side rules, then Jason must be the swimmer. All hockey players use a stick, so Emma is the hockey player. The All Whites are the New Zealand national soccer team. Rangi must be the soccer player. So it might be possible for Rangi to become an All White.

Solution to the Extension

Many sports fit the clue (netball, basketball...).

Attachments

Printed from https://nzmaths.co.nz/resource/who-plays-what at 1:26am on the 29th March 2024