• 한국수학사학회지
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.251-269
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• 2018

Empirical probability and classical probability, which are two interpretations of Kolmogorov's axiom, are two ways to recognize the chances of events occurring in the real world. In this paper, I analyzed and suggested the contents of the high school textbooks ${\ll}$Probability and Statistics${\gg}$, associated with two interpretations of probability and experiments on which two interpretations are based. By presenting the cases required expressly stating what the experiment is for supporting students' understanding of some concepts, it was discussed that stating or not stating what the experiment is should be carefully determined by the educational intent. Especially, I suggested that in the textbooks we contrast the good idea of calculating the ratios of two possibilities in the imaginary world of the classical probability with the normal idea of grasping the chances of events through the frequencies in the real world of the empirical probability, with distinguishing the experiments in two interpretations of probability. I also suggested that in the textbooks we make it clear that the Weak Law of Large Numbers justifies our expectations of the frequencies' reflecting the chances of events occurring in the real world under ideal conditions. Teaching and learning about the aesthetic elements and the practicality of imaginary mathematical thinking supported by these textbooks statements could be one form of Humanities education in mathematics as STEAM education.