TY - JOUR

T1 - Teaching Classic Probability Problems with Modern Digital Tools

AU - Abramovich, Sergei

AU - Nikitin, Yakov Yu

PY - 2017/10/2

Y1 - 2017/10/2

N2 - This article is written to share teaching ideas about using commonly available computer applications—a spreadsheet, The Geometer's Sketchpad, and Wolfram Alpha—to explore three classic and historically significant problems from the probability theory. These ideas stem from the authors’ work with prospective economists, mathematicians, and teachers. The historical contexts include the problem of the division of stakes (14th century), the problem of the Grand Duke of Tuscany (17th century), and the problem of co-primality of two natural numbers chosen at random (19th century). The suggested use of computers can be extended to other probability contexts to achieve at least two goals: to make complex mathematical ideas more accessible and to emphasize the importance of experimental evidence as a means of conceptual development in mathematics for all student populations.

AB - This article is written to share teaching ideas about using commonly available computer applications—a spreadsheet, The Geometer's Sketchpad, and Wolfram Alpha—to explore three classic and historically significant problems from the probability theory. These ideas stem from the authors’ work with prospective economists, mathematicians, and teachers. The historical contexts include the problem of the division of stakes (14th century), the problem of the Grand Duke of Tuscany (17th century), and the problem of co-primality of two natural numbers chosen at random (19th century). The suggested use of computers can be extended to other probability contexts to achieve at least two goals: to make complex mathematical ideas more accessible and to emphasize the importance of experimental evidence as a means of conceptual development in mathematics for all student populations.

KW - computational experiments

KW - historical perspectives

KW - mathematics education

KW - Probability

KW - relative frequency

KW - spreadsheets

KW - Wolfram Alpha

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85031414355&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/07380569.2017.1384687

DO - 10.1080/07380569.2017.1384687

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85031414355

VL - 34

SP - 318

EP - 336

JO - Computers in the Schools

JF - Computers in the Schools

SN - 0738-0569

IS - 4

ER -