IMSA Excellence 2000+ Curriculum
Remove One
Three Door Problem
Rock Paper Scissors
Skunk: Chance or Choice
Tic Tac Toe
The Game of 21
Modified War
Nim: Complicated Strategy or Mathematics?
The Game of Hex
Web Resources
Other Activity Ideas
Shodor's Racing Game with two Dice
This game uses the same probability concept as the Remove One game, but presents it as a race. The user can select up to 11 "players" (one for each of the numbers 2-12). The players run a virtual race in which they advance one step each time their number is rolled. The page has links for further information about the game, and the Shodor Web site has a nice general discussion of probability. You can also download a free dice rolling program called DiceMage (just follow the link).
Resources for Three Door Problem
There are several online versions of the "Monty Hall" problem. Try any of the following:
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| Door #1 | Door #2 | Door #3 |
Resources for Rock, Paper, Scissors
Online version of the classic game
A self-explanatory version of the game. Choose your 'weapon' and press "go".
Resources for Skunk - Chance or Choice
The E2K+ lesson was adapted from a lesson which is available on the NCTM Illuminations Web site by clicking here.
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Resources for Tic Tac Toe Click on any of the large "X" characters to access online versions of this classic game. The upper row middle X leads to a version from San Francisco's Exploratorium. The middle row X leads to a version on the Boston University Web site. The bottom row left X leads to an amazing 4-d version (3x3x3x3). The bottom row right X leads to an awesome 3-d version (4x4x4) that's really challenging. Enjoy them all! After you've played these last two games for a while and you decide you want to start winning, check out my analyses of the games by clicking the "O" in the bottom row (it's a link to a Word document). |
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Resources for Nim: Complicated Strategy or Mathematics?
There are several sites with good explanations and/or more information about the game. Check out these pages from Arkansas State University or from 20/20 Technologies or from the Mount Pearl Senior High School.
For online versions of the game, try this one or this one or this directory of links to Nim resources.
Resources for the Game of Hex
Online version of the game
This page features a 7x7 board for users to match wits against the computer. It also has an introduction to the game with an explanation of basic strategy.
Abstract Games Online Magazine article
This article discusses the history of the game and explores strategies of play.