Multiple-solution problems in a statistics classroom: an example

• Chi Wing Chu ^[1] ; Kevin L.T. Chan ^[2] ; Wai-Sum Chan ^[1] ; Koon-Shing Kwong ^[3]
  1. [1] Chinese University of Hong Kong

     Chinese University of Hong Kong

     RAE de Hong Kong (China)

     
  2. [2] Boston University

     Boston University

     City of Boston, Estados Unidos

     
  3. [3] Singapore Management University

     Singapore Management University

     Singapur

     

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• Localización: International journal of mathematical education in science and technology, ISSN 0020-739X, Vol. 48, Nº. 8, 2017, págs. 1249-1261
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.1080/0020739x.2017.1338770
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The mathematics education literature shows that encouraging students to develop multiple solutions for given problems has a positive effect on students’ understanding and creativity. In this paper, we present an example of multiple-solution problems in statistics involving a set of non-traditional dice. In particular, we consider the exact probability mass distribution for the sum of face values. Four different ways of solving the problem are discussed. The solutions span various basic concepts in different mathematical disciplines (sample space in probability theory, the probability generating function in statistics, integer partition in basic combinatorics and individual risk model in actuarial science) and thus promotes upper undergraduate students’ awareness of knowledge connections between their courses. All solutions of the example are implemented using the R statistical software package.