Missing cat

Missing cat

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about choosing how likely some outcomes are.

Plan of Nicky's Place


Nicky's cat Tiger went missing and a search party was sent out to find him. Tiger is just as likely to be found on any of the squares in the plan above. Using the plan of Nicky's place answer the following questions.
 
a)		  
What is the probability that Tiger is found in the paddock? ____________________
 
b)		  
What is the probability that Tiger is found in the bush? ____________________
 
c)		   
What is the probability that Tiger is found in the house or in the garden? ___________________
 
d)		  
Which part of Nicky's place is Tiger least likely to be found in? ___________________
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pencil and paper only.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Statistics, Probability
Keywords: 
probability
Description of task: 
Students determine the probability of finding a lost cat in various locations marked on a grid map.
Curriculum Links: 
This resource can be used to help to identify students' understanding of identifying outcomes and likelihoods written as fractions.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Interpreting statistical and chance situations, sets 4-5
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (11/1997)
a) 1/3 or 8/24 or .333 or 33% or 8 in 24 difficult
b) 1/4 or 6/24 or .25 or 25% or 6 in 24 difficult
c) 1/8 or 3/24 or .125 or 12.5% or 3 in 24 difficult
d) Garden

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Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Common error Likely reason
a)
b)
c)		 8
6
3		 Gives the number of squares only (i.e., numerator only of probability).
a)
b)
c)		 8%
6%
3%
Gives the number of squares and confuses this with percentage.
a)-c) "Good chance", etc. Gives qualitative estimate rather than the relative frequency probability.

a)

b)

c)

1/6

1/6

2/6
Assumes each of the 6 types of area are equiprobable.