Analyzing experimental and theoretical probabilities in Japanese 7th and 8th grade textbooks

Ippo Ishibashi

doi:10.29333/iejme/12061

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Ippo Ishibashi ¹ ^*

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¹ Okayama University, Okayama, JAPAN^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Probability is a difficult concept, which is not always taught accurately. This study aims to clarify how experimental and theoretical probabilities are taught in Japanese 7^th and 8^th grades through a textbook analysis. We analyzed seven, government approved Japanese 7^th and 8^th grade textbooks each. Focusing on the definition and explanation of experimental and theoretical probabilities and the law of large numbers, we identified eight discrete perspectives. Findings revealed that, first, some textbooks aim to teach students to distinguish between experimental and theoretical probabilities, whereas others aim to teach students to be aware of the connection between the two. Second, after explaining theoretical probability, some textbooks asked questions to clarify the scope of theoretical probability, aiming to teach students to distinguish between the two probabilities. Third, in explaining the law of large numbers, textbooks do not adopt the perspective that experimental probability converges on true probability, but that it converges on theoretical probability.

Keywords

experimental and theoretical probability
true probability
law of large numbers
teaching probability in Japan
7^th and 8^th grade
textbook analysis

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

INT ELECT J MATH ED, Volume 17, Issue 3, August 2022, Article No: em0690

https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/12061

Publication date: 01 May 2022

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Article Downloads: 1524

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Declaration of Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest is declared by author(s).

Data sharing statement: Data supporting the findings and conclusions are available upon request from the corresponding author(s).

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How to cite this article

APA

Ishibashi, I. (2022). Analyzing experimental and theoretical probabilities in Japanese 7th and 8th grade textbooks. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 17(3), em0690. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/12061

Vancouver

Ishibashi I. Analyzing experimental and theoretical probabilities in Japanese 7th and 8th grade textbooks. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2022;17(3):em0690. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/12061

AMA

Ishibashi I. Analyzing experimental and theoretical probabilities in Japanese 7th and 8th grade textbooks. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2022;17(3), em0690. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/12061

Chicago

Ishibashi, Ippo. "Analyzing experimental and theoretical probabilities in Japanese 7th and 8th grade textbooks". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education 2022 17 no. 3 (2022): em0690. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/12061

Harvard

Ishibashi, I. (2022). Analyzing experimental and theoretical probabilities in Japanese 7th and 8th grade textbooks. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 17(3), em0690. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/12061

MLA

Ishibashi, Ippo "Analyzing experimental and theoretical probabilities in Japanese 7th and 8th grade textbooks". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, vol. 17, no. 3, 2022, em0690. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/12061