Work by yourself to answer the following questions. Record your answers in your technology notebook.
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Suppose the weather forecast in your area includes a 60 percent chance of rain for each of the next 5 days.
- Is it possible that it will not rain at all in the next 5 days? Explain your answer.
- Is it possible that it will rain each day in the next 5 days? Explain your answer.
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Imagine a family that wants to make its home safer and more energy efficient. The family members are deciding whether they should replace their old windows with new standard windows or with new storm windows.
The standard windows will help keep hot air out in the summer and cold air out in the winter. These new windows should help keep the family’s costs down because they will not have to run the furnace as much during the winter or the air conditioning as much during the summer.
Storm windows cost about twice as much as standard windows. Storm windows would also help keep cold air out in the winter and hot air out in the summer. They are better than standard windows during storms with very strong winds and any flying debris.
- Which windows should the family buy if they live somewhere that has about a 75 percent chance of a hurricane during the year?
- Which windows should the family buy if they live in a place where there is a 1 percent chance of having a severe storm such as a hurricane? Explain your answer.
- Is there a specific percentage (number) that should be the point where the family’s decision changes (either to purchase or not to purchase storm windows)? Explain your answer.
Answers to Reflect and Connect
Allow students time to answer these questions. Once they have had time to complete their responses, you may want to hold a class discussion on some or all of them.
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Suppose the weather forecast in your area includes a 60 percent chance of rain for each of the next 5 days.
Is it possible that it will not rain at all in the next 5 days? Explain your answer.
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Is it possible that it will rain each day in the next 5 days? Explain your answer.
There is a 60 percent chance of rain on each day. On day 1, there is a 60 percent chance. On day 2, there is a 60 percent chance, and so forth. Therefore, it is possible that it will not rain at all in the next 5 days. It is also possible that it will rain each day.
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Imagine a family that wants to make its home safer and more energy efficient. The family members are deciding whether they should replace their old windows with new standard windows or with new storm windows.
The standard windows will help keep hot air out in the summer and cold air out in the winter. These new windows should help keep the family’s costs down because they will not have to run the furnace as much during the winter or the air conditioning as much during the summer. Storm windows cost about twice as much as standard windows.
Storm windows would also help keep cold air out in the winter and hot air out in the summer. They are better than standard windows during storms with very strong winds and any flying debris.
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Which windows should the family buy if they live somewhere that has about a 75 percent chance of a hurricane during the year?
In a situation in which a hurricane is likely (a 75 percent chance), storm windows would probably be worth the extra money because they would help prevent other damage that the storm could cause.
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Which windows should the family buy if they live in a place where there is a 1 percent chance of having a severe storm such as a hurricane? Explain your answer.
If there is a very low chance of a severe storm such as a hurricane, the family may not want to spend the extra money for storm windows.
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Is there a specific percentage (number) that should be the point where the family’s decision changes (either to purchase or not to purchase storm windows)? Explain your answer.
Students’ responses will vary. Some may feel that everyone should purchase storm windows because there is always some chance, however small, that a severe storm could occur (a tornado if not a hurricane). Others may feel that if the chance of a severe storm is over 50 percent, the family members should purchase storm windows. Students at this age may not understand that cost can be an important factor when making this decision.
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