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Diagrams for difficult problems in probability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2016

Peter C.-H. Cheng and
Nigel G. Pitt
Peter C.-H. Cheng
Affiliation:
ESRC Centre for Research in Development, Instruction and Training, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD
Nigel G. Pitt
Affiliation:
ESRC Centre for Research in Development, Instruction and Training, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD
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Extract

We have developed a novel diagrammatic approach for understanding and teaching probability theory — Probability Space diagrams [1]. Our studies of learning and instruction with Probability Space (PS) diagrams have demonstrated that they can significantly enhance students' conceptual understanding. This article illustrates the utility of PS diagrams by applying them to the explanation of some difficult concepts and notoriously counterintuitive problems in probability. We first outline the nature of the system.

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Articles
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The Mathematical Gazette , Volume 87 , Issue 508 , March 2003, pp. 86 - 97
Copyright
Copyright © The Mathematical Association 2003

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References

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