Name__________________________

Kickball Game

8^th Grade Open Response Question

THE PROBLEM

As a reward for good behavior, Mr. Heath’s class has asked to play kickball on the blacktop playground next to the school building. Mr. Heath is worried that the strong kickers will break a window of the school, but also would like to see his students enjoy their afternoon. He’s decided to look at the mathematical probability to help him make a reasonable decision. Based on the following building dimensions, determine the probability of an athletic student breaking one of the windows.

Outside wall: 55 feet high, 100 feet wide

Six windows: 10 feet high, 15 feet wide EACH

a) Assuming that each ball hits the wall and all places on the side of the wall have an equal chance of being hit, find the probability that the ball will hit a window whenever it hits the side of the building. Calculate the probability as a fraction, a decimal, and a percentage. Be sure to show your work.

b) Using the probability found in part a), explain whether or not the teacher should be worried about the windows breaking. Considering the mathematics, if you were the teacher, would you allow the students to play the game?