+Two Dice Bingo+

A fun game for the whole class to play requiring strategies based on probablilty.

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Instructions

Make your own bingo card using the same format as the one above. It can easily be sketched in your exercise book or you could print these Two Dice Bingo Cards. Select your own numbers to go on the card.

If you are in a class you can play against your classmates. If you are alone you can play against the computer.

For the whole class game, when everyone has made a card the teacher begins the game by rolling the dice. Each person should cross a number off their card if it matches the total of the two dice. The first person to cross off all ten of their numbers should call out 'Bingo' and they are declared the winner.

The strategy for this game is to choose numbers which will get crossed off before anyone else has called out 'Bingo'. You may repeat a number on your card as many times as you wish but you can only cross off one instance of that number each time it appears as a total. Is it wise to fill your bingo card with the most likely total or should you aim for a selection of numbers?

The computer has chosen numbers for the card above but the dice are quite fair and will generate random numbers unknown to the computer in advance.

This activity can be developed by constructing a table showing the possibility spaces for addition, subtraction and multiplication of the numbers on two dice.

There are more online probability activities to spice up your Maths lessons.

See also Maths Bingo for a numeracy practice game.

Extension: If 7 is the total that is most likely to occur when adding the numbers on two dice together, why is filling your bingo cards with sevens not the best strategy?

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Learning and understanding Mathematics, at every level, requires learner engagement. Mathematics is not a spectator sport. Sometimes traditional teaching fails to actively involve students. One way to address the problem is through the use of interactive activities and this web site provides many of those. The Go Maths main page links to more activities designed for students in upper Secondary/High school.

Dalia, Italy

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

"I love this!! What a great idea! I will write again after using it with my classes."

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