A mathematical principle known as the Birthday Paradox states that despite the fact that there are 365 days in a year, there is a 50-percent chance that in a group of 23 people, two people will have the same birthday. Test this principle by gathering at least 10 groups of 23 people--consider using different classrooms in school--and charting their birthdates. Determine if the Birthday Paradox holds up when compared to the data.
Determine if a pattern exists for random winning and losing streaks in baseball. Examine several seasons' worth of statistics and check for a pattern in game winning or losing streaks. Next, perform a simulation of a season using either a computer program or a paper and pencil baseball simulator. A paper and pencil simulator is a game that uses dice to simulate the statistics of the game. Compile the data and draw a conclusion about these streaks.
One project idea examines how accurately people measure small, medium or large objects. When scientists measure objects, they measure them multiple times since deviation exists in how people measure. For example, one person may measure a pencil as 25 centimeters while another person measures 23 centimeters. To perform the project, have a small sample group of five to 10 people measure objects of small, medium and large size using the metric system and a ruler. Average the measurements for each object and graph the participants' individual measurements to indicate differentiation from the average.
Sudoku is a popular number puzzle game found in many newspapers next to the crossword puzzle. By analyzing various Sudoku puzzles, base a project on finding a pattern that solves the puzzles more easily every time. Collect 15 to 20 puzzles, perhaps from a large Sudoku book. Take notes on how particular puzzles are solved. After the first 10 puzzles, determine if the method used to solve these puzzles forms a pattern. Use this pattern to generate a solution method and test it on the last five to 10 puzzles. If the method is successful, demonstrate it on different puzzles at the math fair presentation. If no method has been determined, explain that too much variation exists between puzzles to create a Sudoku method.