Mathematics
Grade 4
All Possible Combinations
P
Paarreenntt A
Assssiisstteed
dL
Leeaarrnniinngg
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child is currently learning how to show all the possible
outcomes of a probability situation. Here is your chance to help
your child practice this important skill.
In this PAL Packet you will find a short activity for you and your
child to do. Please do the activity and The Back Page this evening.
Then sign your name on The Back Page and have your child return it
tomorrow.
Remember, parents are a child’s first teacher. Thank you for your
time and energy in making learning fun and exciting for your child.
Sincerely,
_________________________
Your child’s teacher
Grade 4 – All Possible Combinations
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
1
Last printed 8/31/04
P
Paarreenntt A
Assssiisstteed
dL
Leeaarrnniinngg
POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS
Parent Pointer —
Knowing how to find the total number of possible combinations in a
probability situation is a time-saving skill. A sandwich shop needs to
know the number of possible sandwich combinations that can be made
using different meats and cheeses. If you are planning a vacation,
knowing the number of combinations of outfits that can be made from
the clothes you are thinking of packing can help you decide what to
bring.
Math in the Home, on the Go, and for the Fun of It —
DIRECTIONS: Read the Combine It! reference page with your parent
or guardian. Discuss the different ways to show all possible
combinations: a chart, list, or tree diagram. Look at the Which
Combination Is It? activity pages. After you read each situation, you
and your parent or guardian need to decide which combination lists all
of the possible outcomes, cut it out, and paste it in the box. On the
next page, you both need to create a chart, list, or tree diagram to
show all the possible outcomes for the given situations. You need to
choose a different way each time. Have fun!
Talk about It —
After you have finished the activity, turn to The Back Page to show
what you know.
Now go have some fun with the activity! (
Grade 4 – All Possible Combinations
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
2
Last printed 8/31/04
P
Paarreenntt A
Assssiisstteed
dL
Leeaarrnniinngg
COMBINE IT!
Marsha is baking vanilla and chocolate cookies. She wants chocolate
chips, peanuts, or almonds in each one. How can she find out how many
total combinations of cookies she can make?
Marsha can make a chart.
My Cookies
Vanilla (V)
Chocolate chip (cc)
Vcc
Peanuts (p)
Vp
Almonds (a)
Va
(3 + 3 = 6)
Marsha can make a list.
Chocolate (C)
Ccc
Cp
Ca
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
vanilla – chocolate chips
vanilla - peanuts
vanilla - almonds
chocolate – chocolate chips
chocolate - peanuts
chocolate - almonds
Marsha can make a tree diagram.
vanilla
chocolate
chocolate chips
(1)
peanuts
(2)
almonds
(3)
chocolate chips
(4)
peanuts
(5)
almonds
(6)
Marsha can make 6 different kinds of cookies.
Grade 4 – All Possible Combinations
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
3
Last printed 8/31/04
P
Paarreenntt A
Assssiisstteed
dL
Leeaarrnniinngg
WHICH COMBINATION IS IT?
Read each situation. Then read the different combinations below. Cut
out the combination that shows all the possible outcomes and paste it
under the situation.
Fiona wants to wear either
a gold or a silver bracelet.
She can choose post,
hoop, or chain earrings
to wear with a bracelet.
The table can be set with
paper, cotton, or silk napkins
and red, yellow, or white
flowers.
Gold – Silver
Red (R) Yellow (Y) White (W)
Paper (p)
Rp
Yp
Wp
Cotton (c)
Rc
Yc
Wc
Silk (s)
Rs
Ys
Ws
Gold – Post
Gold – Hoop
Gold - Chain
Silver – Post
Silver – Hoop
Silver – Chain
Gold – Post
Gold – Hoop
Gold - Chain
Red
Paper
Yellow
White
Red
Silk
Paper
Cotton
Paper
Cotton
Cotton
Silk
Grade 4 – All Possible Combinations
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
4
Last printed 8/31/04
P
Paarreenntt A
Assssiisstteed
dL
Leeaarrnniinngg
WHICH COMBINATION IS IT?
(continued)
Use a chart, list, or tree diagram to show all the possible combinations
for each of the following situations. Use a different method for each
problem, and state the number of combinations for each situation.
A book comes in a red, blue,
white, or black cover. You
can also chose between either
paperback or hardcover.
Grade 4 – All Possible Combinations
Dominic can chose between
a small or a medium pizza, with
pepperoni, sausage, or olives.
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
5
Last printed 8/31/04
P
Paarreenntt A
Assssiisstteed
dL
Leeaarrnniinngg
The Back Page
Talk About It
Parent —
Ask your child the following questions:
9What are some methods that can be used to find all
possible combinations of a situation?
9Why is it important to know how to find all of the
possible combinations of a situation?
9When can you use this skill? Think of a situation that
has not been listed in this PAL.
Student —
Answer the above questions in complete sentences on the
reverse side of this page.
OR
Do the following activity on the reverse side of this page:
9Have your parent or guardian write a situation for
which you need to find all of the possible
combinations. He or she needs to choose if you will
use a chart, list, or tree diagram to solve it. Then you
write a situation that they need to solve.
__________________________ __________________________
Student’s Name
Parent or Guardian’s Signature
Grade 4 – All Possible Combinations
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
6
Last printed 8/31/04