Science Fair Presentation:
Rock, Paper, Scissors
LIZARD, SPOCK!!!!!!!!
BY MRS. FLYTE AND DR. COOPER
Research Notes

Rock, paper, scissors is a game of chance, where people, in
partners, use hand gestures to compete (throws)

Rock is the most common 1st throw (males use more than females)

Scissors is the least common throw of all (less than 30%)

In games between people who know each other, 75% of throws will
tie
Abstract

The purpose of this project is to see if there is a relationship between adding
characters (lizard and Spock) and the potential outcomes in the game of
“Rock, Paper, Scissors”.

The game was played with two people, who completed 50 “throws,” using
all 5 types (rock, paper, scissors, lizard, and Spock)

Spock was thrown the most, while scissors was thrown the least.

Adding characters did change the outcome significantly, as each
character had only a 20% chance of being “thrown”, but the actual
outcomes were not equal.
Problem Question
What is the effect of introducing new
characters, Spock and Lizard, on the
outcomes in the Rock, Paper, Scissors game?
Hypothesis
 If
new characters, Spock and Lizard, are
introduced to the traditional “Rock, Paper, Scissors”
game, then “Rock” will be thrown much less than
75% of the time, because research shows that more
variables change probability (Evans, “Probability and Statistics
2010).
Materials & Procedures
MATERIALS
PROCEDURES

Paper and pencil

Gather materials

Two male subjects, 13 years old


Computer with Excel software to analyze
data percentages
Have subjects sign release forms for
participation in human study

Have subjects read rules and make
sure they are understood

Have subjects throw 50 times, and
record outcomes as tally marks

Graph data, and determine
percentages of each throw

Room without distractions

Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock rule
sheet
(https://www.threadless.com/designs/rock_paper_scissors_lizard_spock )
Data Table
THE EFFECT OF INTRODUCING “LIZARD AND SPOCK” CHARACTERS INTO
THE “ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS” GAME
Throw Types
Number of Throws Made
Rock
8
Paper
7
Scissors
5
Lizard
9
Spock
21
Graph
THE EFFECT OF INTRODUCING “LIZARD AND SPOCK”
CHARACTERS INTO THE “ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS” GAME
16%
Rock
42%
14%
Paper
Scissors
Lizard
Spock
10%
18%
Analysis/
Results

Spock was thrown the most, 21/50 times

Scissors was still the least popular throw,
5/50 times

A pattern seemed to show that the new
characters were thrown more often than
older ones

The probable mean of throws for each
character should be 10 times (20% of all
throws)

Lizard was close to the mean probability,
but Spock was thrown more than twice
the expected probability.
Conclusion

Purpose: to determine the effect of adding characters to “Rock,
Paper, Scissors

Research states…

The hypothesis was supported, because……

Possible errors include…..

The results make sense because…..
Future Research

Important scientific principals include….

People who _______________ would be interested in this study,
because___________________

Ideas for future research: Adding more colors to the Twister game,
adding themed categories to Apples to Apples game…….
Bibliography

(4+ bullets in MLA format)