This module is intended for approximately three weeks of instruction. It teaches basic probability from the perspective of set notation as required by the CCSS. Students will learn and practice set notation for union, intersection, and complement. All of the knowledge that students have built regarding sets is translated into equivalent concepts in probability. The final week includes a connection with geometry in which students calculate probability from their knowledge of length, area, and volume. The content balances the required learning objectives on probability with building a foundation in set notation.

The content is not inherently difficult, but is likely more practical for advanced students. A teacher could easily include this module in a standard unit on probability to provide enrichment.

Pre-planning:

3 weeks

decide pacing and chunking

decide the amount of review of set notation necessary for the class

adapt the materials, especially exercises, to existing routines and procedures unique to each class

Prerequisite Knowledge:

familiarity with length, area, volume from geometry

familiarity with the basic notation of fractions

familiarity with basic set notation

cultural knowledge of flipping a coin and rolling a six-sided die

familiarity with number systems: natural, integer, rational, real

graphing linear inequalities in one and two variables

odd and even parity for integers

interval notation

binomial coecients and bit strings (optional)

power sets (optional)

Learning Objectives:

practice using notation for union, intersection, complement, and cardinality

practice using notation for element, subset, set minus, and standard number systems

translate fluently between visual, symbolic, and verbal representations of sets

translate fluently between set notation and probability notation

translate fluently between fraction, decimal, and percent representations of probability

practice using shape facts from geometry in context

enjoy doing math using only simple, intuitive facts