Overview

Mathematics can help make decisions

The pupils' initial task is to construct a model of a controversial decision during a match in the 1960s Ashes Test and try to decide whether or not the umpire at the time was correct. Pupils revisit their models and test assumptions and apply their model to other situations. The mathematical skills and thinking required emerge gradually during the case study.

Geting Started

This case study is presented as an interactive “browser” for teachers, containing all the instructions, lesson plans, resources and supplementary materials necessary to run the case study.

Click here to start.

Mathematical content

Key stage 3 National Curriculum areas covered include:

  • Key processes - pupils have to identify the mathematics for themselves; use mathematical procedures in combination; create convincing arguments and generalisations; consider their assumptions and the accuracy of their work; communicate their results effectively and discuss results.
  • Number and algebra – rational numbers, their properties and their different representations; rules of arithmetic applied to calculations and manipulation with rational numbers; accuracy and rounding; linear equations, formulae, expressions and identities.
  • Geometry and measure – similarity, scale; units, compound measures and conversions.
  • Statistics – presentation and analysis of grouped and ungrouped data.

Organisation and pedagogy

There are five hour-long lessons, but it may take up to seven lessons to complete the activity. Each lesson will involve a combination of class discussion, group and individual work. Fieldwork may be used to assist pupils to develop a feel for the game of cricket and collect primary data. The role of the teacher is to set the broad context of the case and guide the class to generate models by posing questions and running class discussions. Homework is provided as part of each lesson plan. Teachers may find it useful to discuss homework tasks as a starting point for the next lesson.

Resources

  • Overview which contains detailed advice on how the activity can be adapted for different levels of experience and preferred teaching approaches, including possible assessment strategies and a description of the mathematics that can be expected to emerge from the activities.
  • Printable introduction.
  • Lesson plans giving detailed notes for the lesson, detailed notes for the teacher for the whole activity including full, worked solutions or example solutions (as appropriate) and cricket knowledge. All links to photographs and videos are through the lesson plans.
  • Supporting notes and materials for teachers.

The video clips require Windows Media Player or other video media player that can play .wmv files. Users of non-Windows machines may require extra software for this (such as VLC from http://www.videolan.org/vlc/).

For PC users, Adobe Reader (or similar) is required to view the guides and handouts. Adobe Reader is available to download for free from: http://www.adobe.com/