Probability Vocabulary

• Outcome: is any one of the possible outcomes in an action

• Sample Space: set or list of all possible outcomes.

• Event: the action taking place

Sample Space

• This is a list of ALL possible outcomes in a probability event.

• We display this by:

• making lists, tables, and tree diagrams to determine the probability of simple or compound events.

Common Events in Probability

• Flipping a Coin [or multiple coins]

• Spinning a Spinner

• Selecting a card from a Deck of playing cards

• pulling a marble from a bag

How do you determine Sample Space?

• Determine how many outcomes are in each action.

• Ex: Flipping a coin has 2 outcomes

• Either Heads or Tails

Let's determine the sample space of tossing a coin AND rolling a number cube.

• Coin: {Heads or Tails}

• Number Cube: {1,2,3,4,5 or 6}

How do you find the total number of Outcomes?

Fundamental Counting Principle

F.C.P.

• Determine how many ways or outcomes an event has.

• Determine this for each action

• Ex: rolling a pair of dice

• Die 1 has 6 outcomes: {1,2,3,4,5,6}

• Die 2 has 6 outcomes: {1,2,3,4,5,6}

• Multiply the two outcome totals together

• 6 x 6 = 36