Sharon Cooper
Topics High School,
Psychology and Sociology
Type
Social Science
Grade
High School
Difficulty of Project
Easy, provided you have knowledge of probabilities and statistics.
Cost:
$1-$10
Safety Issues
Make sure that you get permission before setting up your project in a public place!
Material Availability
Easily available from your garage or the internet.
Approximate Time Required to Complete the Project
A few days
Objective
- To determine whether most people will notice that a game of chance is very slightly rigged.
- To establish how much a population is aware of probabilities.
Materials and Equipment / Ingredients
- A game of chance (of your choosing)
- A rigged game of chance
Introduction
Many people appear to love gambling and many people play the lottery. Are these people aware that the odds are stacked against them? Does this even matter to them? Would there be a noticeable difference between the number of people who were willing to play a fair game of chance, and the number of people who were willing to play a slightly rigged game of chance?
Research Questions
- Are people generally aware of probabilities?
- What is the probability of winning most casino games?
- What is the most popular casino game? What is the probability of winning at that game?
Terms, Concepts and Questions to Start Background Research
- An understanding of basic concepts of probability is essential
- An understanding of statistics would also be useful
Experimental Procedure
- Create two games of chance of your own devising.
a. One game should be rigged in your favor.
b. One game should be exactly even. - Discuss this project with the owner of a public place. Get permission to set up the experiment in a visible area with lots of foot traffic.
- Set up one game on one day, and the other game on a different day. Have a friend run the game while you keep track of how many people play and how many people watch.
a. What sorts of people play?
b. Do they seem to know that the game is rigged/not rigged?
c. Ask the people who have played the game whether they felt it was fair. Ask them whether they believed it was fair before they began playing.
Bibliography
Barboianu, Catalin. Probability Guide to Gambling. EbookMall, http://ebooks.ebookmall.com/title/probability-guide-to-gambling-the-mathematics-of-dice-slots-roulette-baccarat-blackjack-poker-barboianu-ebooks.htm
Gambling and the Odds. University of Regina and Canadian Mathematical Society. Math Beyond School. http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/beyond/articles/Gambling/Odds.html
A graduate of Brandeis University, Sharon Cooper loves anything having to do with English, History, and Creative Writing. When she is not creating science fair ideas, she is translating Chaucer, writing short stories, or reading various works of literature. To discuss literature or literary experimentation, please contact Sharon at secooper87@gmail.com.
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Warning is hereby given that not all Project Ideas are appropriate for all individuals or in all circumstances. Implementation of any Science Project Idea should be undertaken only in appropriate settings and with appropriate parental or other supervision. Reading and following the safety precautions of all materials used in a project is the sole responsibility of each individual. For further information, consult your state’s handbook of Science Safety.
Education.com provides the Science Fair Project Ideas for informational purposes only. Education.com does not make any guarantee or representation regarding the Science Fair Project Ideas and is not responsible or liable for any loss or damage, directly or indirectly, caused by your use of such information. By accessing the Science Fair Project Ideas, you waive and renounce any claims against Education.com that arise thereof. In addition, your access to Education.com’s website and Science Fair Project Ideas is covered by Education.com’s Privacy Policy and site Terms of Use, which include limitations on Education.com’s liability.
Warning is hereby given that not all Project Ideas are appropriate for all individuals or in all circumstances. Implementation of any Science Project Idea should be undertaken only in appropriate settings and with appropriate parental or other supervision. Reading and following the safety precautions of all materials used in a project is the sole responsibility of each individual. For further information, consult your state’s handbook of Science Safety.
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