This activity provides practice on using the random number table.

1) Give each student a copy of a random number table.  Have students circle a block of random numbers sized 5x5, or some other set of numbers so that they have 25 total random digits.

2)  Review how 3-point shoot-out is played.
     a) Basketballs are placed around the perimeter of the 3-point arc in five locations.  A person is given 5 basketballs at
     each of five locations around the perimeter (25 total shots).
     b) Each basket made earns 1 point except the 5th ball at each location.  That is the “money ball” and it is worth 2 points.
 

3) Propose the scenario of an individual who is a 50% 3-point shooter (ha!).  Use the 25 random digits circled to see how many shots are made, such that even numbers are hits, odds are misses.

        Example:                      Suppose the following random numbers were circled
                                            77668     93651     17884     94747     33564
        The score would be:     00112     00100      00112     01010     00012  = 14

Ask who in the class has the highest score?  Give an award.

4) Circle another set of 25 digits.  Tell students you are changing the rules, 0-4 are hits, 5-9 are misses.  Give an award for highest and lowest score.

5) Make it harder!  Circle 50 digits.  Suppose the shooter is only a 35% shooter.  Ask students how to assign values on the random number table, and proceed to find the highest score.