Undergraduate Math Journal Index

Mathematical Statistics


Mathematical Journal articles suitable for use by undergraduate classes

Lower Level
A New Look at the Probabilities in Bingo, CMJ, September 2002, pg 301.  Deals with basic probability theory involving unions and binomial coefficients.

The Case of the Missing Lottery Numbers, CMJ, January 2001, pg 15

Markov Chains for the RISK Board Game Revisited, http://www4.stat.ncsu.edu/~jaosborn/research/RISK.pdf - Deals with random variables and strategies for winning at this board game.   Requires multivariate probability theory.

Well-Rounded Figures, CMJ, January 2001, pg 30

The Super Bowl Theory:  Fourth and Long, CMJ, May 2000, pg 189

The Average Speed on the Highway, CMJ, May 2001, pg 169.  Deals with finding the "best" measure of the middle using both medians and means.  Good for students at the beginning of a probability course when studying descriptive statistics.

Perfecting the Analog of a Deck of Cards or Why Evolution Can't Be Left to Chance, CMJ, January 2002, pg 17

A Rational Solution to Cootie, CMJ, March 2000, pg 124

Runs in Coin Tossing:  Randomness Revealed, CMJ, November 2002, pg 391.  Explores probabilities for runs of heads and tails.  Groups of students should perform the experiment listed before reading the article.

Do Dogs Know Calculus, CMJ, May 2003, pg 178.  Linear Regression to solve a fun example.  Students could design their own similar experiments.

Monty Hall, MAA Online, July 2003.  This is a standard description of the popular "Let's Make a Deal" game.  A student should search the web for other similar descriptions including finding some java applets where the student can perform simulations to check the probabilities out.

Upper Level
Tossing a Fair Coin, CMJ, March 2003, pg 128

Food and Drug Interaction:  What Role Does Statistics Play?, CMJ, September 2000, pg 268

The Geometry of Statistics, CMJ, May 2000, pg 200