‘ALEA IACTA EST’ (The Die Is Cast)

Zen masters live a life of meditation.

I wonder if any has contemplated the question, “If a die falls in the classroom and no one hears it, does it make a sound?”

Search me. With today’s bunch, detecting a pin drop or hearing a pail of pins hit the floor is unlikely.

Besides, a single dotted cube amongst thirty teenagers does not constitute an effective learning experience. Then again, thirty dice with the same group is thwart with complications.

Like big Julie tippy-toeing into the river Rubicon, once I embark on my probability lesson, hesitation is futile—‘the die is cast’.

I am well prepared with dice and graph paper. A primeval over-head projector sits on the front desk and my chalk sticks are crossed in the hope it behaves. My hand-outs have emerged from the photocopy room. Sure, ‘maths-speak’ cannot be avoided, but I maintain my carefully worded instructions constitute everyday English.

My introduction to the lesson is in its embryonic stage, when the banter begins.

“Sir, chuck us a dice.”

Doh! Despite telling my group that ‘dice’ is plural of ‘die’, I know Jonathon is asking for one. It’s a small point and not worth mentioning.

Once the chitchat starts, though, others want in.

“I want the yellow ones, Sir. Not those lame white things.”

“Can we use the ones that go up to eight, Sir.”

“Dice don’t go up to eight, ya dummy.”

“Yes they do, we’ve used ‘em before. You tell ‘im sir.”

Bothermacready! And on paper, my lesson displayed potential.

Close to one hour rolls by—literally. I am annoyed with certain individuals who consider the desktop insufficient room to toss and land a die.

Nonetheless, final results—individual and collective—have been recorded and graphed.  The discussion ensures my charges draw the appropriate conclusion, that is, when a die is tossed, each of the six numbers has an equal chance of being on the top face. All this in fifty-six minutes. Yes-siree-bob—‘I love it when a plan comes together’.

The bell rings. Only one die has disappeared—collateral damage. I am modestly pleased with the lesson outcome. OK, I’m experiencing a warm smug feeling.

That is, until Jonathon stops as he leaves the room. “Sir, I didn’t get to toss my dice many times.”

My response? “Surprise, surprise.”

“And I got more sixes,” he continues. “So I still reckon tossing a “six” is easier than any other number.”

I shake my head, perhaps I should have remained in the drafting office.

“Coincidences, in general, are great stumbling blocks in the way of that class of thinkers who … know nothing of the theory of probabilities.” Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849) American author, poet.

Notes:

• ‘Alea iacta est’ is a Latin phrase attributed to Julius Caesar, spoken as he crossed the Rubicon River, Italy, in 49BC. Leading his army, it was the start of a civil war against Pompey. The phrase is used today to indicate proceedings have passed the point of no return.
• ‘I love it when a plan comes together’ comes from the Eighties TV series ‘The A-Team’. These words were often spoken by John “Hannibal” Smith played by actor George Peppard.

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