reSolve: Monte Carlo simulations

This sequence of two lessons explores how statistical techniques that rely on randomly generated data can be used to solve problems. In the first lesson, students compare different methods for calculating the area of an irregular shape, using the context of oil spill maps. They are introduced to the Monte Carlo method for statistically calculating area. In the second lesson, they use the Monte Carlo method to estimate the area of a quadrant of a circle. By comparing this with the formula for the area of a circle, they estimate the value of pi (π). The lessons are outlined in detail including curriculum links, vocabulary, sample answers, spreadsheets of data, discussion points and student resources. This sequence is part of the reSolve: Mathematics by Inquiry program.

Resource details

Year level

Year 8 Year 9

Purpose

Teaching resource

Strand

Statistics Measurement

Topic

Chance and probability Data representation and interpretation

Audience

Teachers

Format

Downloadable resource

Australian Curriculum code

AC9M8M01 AC9M8M06 AC9M9P02 AC9M9ST03

Numeracy progression

Interpreting and representing data (P8) Multiplicative strategies (P9) Understanding chance (P6) Understanding geometric properties (P7) Understanding units of measurement (P9, P10)

Publisher

reSolve Maths by Inquiry

Copyright

© Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment 2021. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Keywords

area mean median pi (Ï€) centre (Statistics)