Probability

Some people offer advice on how to win at games of chance, or how to influence probability in your favour. Can you decide whether advice is good or not?

Engage in a little mathematical detective work to see if you can spot the fakes.

Imagine flipping a coin a number of times. Can you work out the probability you will get a head on at least one of the flips?

Seven balls are shaken. You win if the two blue balls end up touching. What is the probability of winning?

Six balls are shaken. You win if at least one red ball ends in a corner. What is the probability of winning?

Alison and Charlie are playing a game. Charlie wants to go first so Alison lets him. Was that such a good idea?

Can you decide whether these short statistical statements are always, sometimes or never true?

In this game the winner is the first to complete a row of three. Are some squares easier to land on than others?

Which of these games would you play to give yourself the best possible chance of winning a prize?

Here are two games you can play. Which offers the better chance of winning?