This InspireData lesson uses the “Cards Experiment” database in InspireData 1.5 to examine experimental probabilities through an experiment with a deck of cards. The activity is ideal for upper elementary and middle school students. The database includes sample experimental data, as well as a database template where students can use the table to record their own results from repeated simulations of drawing from a complete deck of 52 cards. In each simulation, students draw a card and record its type (regular or face) and suit (heart, diamond, spade or club). Between each draw, they replace the card and shuffle the deck.
Experimental probabilities can be plotted using a Pie plot and then compared to theoretical probabilities (what one would expect to happen). Include a discussion of sample size—how many trials should be performed? If five cards are drawn, are the results reliable? What if one hundred cards are drawn? It may be instructive to have groups of students perform different numbers of simulations, and then compare the results. Which group came closest to the expected results?
Included is an exemplar showing how the sample data can be analyzed in Plot View.

This activity was created using InspireData 1.5, which must be installed to open the file. Download a 30-day free trial at href="http://www.inspiration.com/freetrial">www.inspiration.com/freetrial or if you have InspireData 1.0, download a complementary upgrade.