AQR hosts carnival games to test empirical probability

The probability of winning a carnival game seems slim to none in the eyes of a player. AQR, or advanced quantitative reasoning class, is testing the probability in theory and actuality.

AQR hosted a day full of carnival games in the library for students to play. Groups of two created a game, tested how often they won, then allowed it to be tested by the public.

“Students are usually shocked at how close their data matches,” AQR teacher Jeanne Cihak said.

The students tested their games themselves 50 times. Then had to have 50 people play their game and record how many times people won or lost their game.

“A lot more people are winning than we had thought at first,” senior Clayton Lindsey said.

Lindsey’s game was putt-putt. The game had five holes for the golf ball to enter, but each was a different size. They were also color coded. Red is the hardest to make because it was the exact size of a golf ball, blue is the second hardest and black is the easiest because it was much bigger than an actual golf ball.

“When building our game we made the board an upward slant so it would be harder to make,” Lindsey said. “If someone makes it, then the ball enters the hole and comes right back down through a downward slope underneath the top box.”

The student body was invited to test these games out. Popcorn was given if a student played a game. One game offered candy if the player won. Games included were chuck-a-duck, basketball, putt-putt, spin the wheel and beanbag toss.

“The games were actually fun,” senior Jennifer Jackson, a carnival participant, said.