Superlesson
Project 1-3
Algebra
Chapter 1, Data and Relationships
Part A, Probability and Experiments
1. Sometimes sailors use flags to communicate with other ships. Look at the Alphabet flags Web site to see the flags they use.
a. How many different alphabet flags are there?
b. If these flags were in a bag and you reached in and randomly took one out, what is the probability that it would be rectangular? Write your answer as a ratio and as a percent.
c. What is the probability that you would choose a flag with red on it? Write your answer as a ratio and as a percent.
d. What is the probability that you would choose a flag with blue on it? Write your answer as a ratio and as a percent.
e. Which is greater: The probability that a flag has blue on it or the probability that a flag has red on it?
Part B, The Theory of Probability
2. Look at the Bolivian flag Web site.
a. How many different colors are on the flag?
b. In how many different ways could you rearrange the colors?
3. Look at the Flags of the world Web page.
a. How many stars are on the flag?
b. In how many different ways could you rearrange these stars?
c. What is the principle that allows you to rearrange the stars?
4. Look at the Honduran flag site.
a. How many stars does it have?
b. In how many ways could you rearrange these stars? Explain.
5. Look at the maps of the Americas.
a. According to the North American Web site, how many countries are on the continent of North America?
b. According to the Central American Web site, how many countries are in Central America?
c. According to the South American Web site, how many countries are on the continent of South America?
d. If you wanted to fly a flag from each region -- North America, Central America, and South America-- how many different combinations could you choose to fly?
e. If you wanted to fly a flag from Central America, South America, and North America, how many different combinations could you fly?
f. Would the order in which you choose the flags matter? Explain.
Part C, Making Connections
6. Look at the Middle East Web site.
a. How many countries are in the Middle East?
b. If you wanted to display two different flags from this region, how many different combinations could you choose?
c. If you wanted to display three different flags from this region, how many different combinations could you choose?
7. Explore the International marine signal flags Web site with a partner.
a. Write a probability investigation that you can share with another team. Make sure to solve your own problem, give the theoretical probability, and explain your answer.
b. Switch with another team and solve their investigation. Give the theoretical probability and explain your answer.
c. Check the work of the team that solved your original problem. Were they correct? Why or why not?