Teaching Algebra with Manipulatives

NAME ______________________________________________ DATE ____________ PERIOD ____
Algebra Activity Recording Sheet
(Use with the Lesson 2-6 Follow-Up Activity on page 102 in the Student Edition.)
Investigating Probability and Pascal’s Triangle
Materials:
none
Analyze the Data
1. Complete the table that shows the possibilities for a three-child family.
3 boys 2 boys, 1 girl 1 boy, 2 girls 3 girls
BBB BBG BGG GGG
2. Make your own table to show the possibilities for a four-child family.
3. List the total number of possibilities for a one-child, two-child, threechild,
and four-child family. How many possibilities do you think there
are for a five-child family? a six-child family? Describe the pattern of
the numbers you listed.
Algebra 1—Chapter 2
4. Find the probability that a three-child family has 2 boys and 1 girl.
5. Find the probability that a four-child family has 2 boys and 2 girls.
Make a Conjecture
6. Explain how Pascal’s triangle relates to the possibilities for the makeup
of families. (Hint: The first row indicates that there is 1 way to have
0 children.)
7. Use Pascal’s triangle to find the probability that a four-child family has
1 boy.
© Glencoe/McGraw-Hill 49 Teaching Algebra with Manipulatives