12 Introduction to Probability

Further Problems on Probability

Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Key Points
We can list all the possible outcomes by tree diagrams or in tables.
For example:
Let H stand for a head and T stand for a tail when tossing two coins.

Tree diagram Table

1. Three fair coins are tossed.

(a) Complete the tree diagram to list all the possible outcomes.
(b) Find the probabilities of getting
(i) exactly one tail, (ii) at most two heads.
Solution
(a) Let H stand for a head and T stand for a tail.

(b) From the tree diagram, there are ( ) equally likely outcomes.
(i) Number of favourable outcomes  ( )

(ii)

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 12 Introduction to Probability

2. David’s dog gives birth to 3 puppies. By drawing a tree diagram, find the probabilities that
(a) all the puppies are of the same sex,
(b) at least 2 puppies are female.
Solution
Let M stand for male and F stand for female.

(a) (b)

3. Two cards are chosen randomly at the same time from four cards marked with ‘F’, ‘O’, ‘U’ and
‘R’ respectively. Find the probabilities that
(a) two vowels are chosen, Draw a tree diagram
first.
(b) no ‘F’ is chosen.
Solution
(a)

(b)

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4. Peter selects two numbers at random from 2, 5 and 7 to form a 2-digit number. The numbers can
be selected more than once.
(a) List all the possible outcomes in the table.
(b) Find the probability that the 2-digit number is divisible by 3.
Solution
(a) units digit
2 5 7
tens digit

2
5
7

(b) From the table, there are ( ) possible outcomes.

5. A bag contains 1 green marble, 1 black marble and 2 red marbles. Two marbles are drawn at
random from the bag one by one without replacement.
(a) List all the possible outcomes in a table.
(b) Find the probability that the two marbles drawn are of different colours.
Solution
(a)
Let R1 and R2 stand for
the two red marbles.

(b)

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6. The figure shows a lucky wheel. Cherry spins the lucky wheel once
and wins the prize indicated in the region where the pointer stops. Calendar
Toy
bear
(a) Find the probability that she wins a toy bear. 30 60 Poster

(b) Cherry claims that the probability of winning a calendar is the 120
Ball pen
same as the probability of winning a $20 coupon. Do you agree? $20
coupon
Explain your answer.
Solution
(a)

(b)
Consider the angles at
the centre of the two
sectors.

7. The figure shows a circular dartboard with diameter 10 cm. A square of

side 2 cm and a circle of radius 1 cm are drawn inside the dartboard.
Ivy throws a dart at random and the dart hits the dartboard. Find the
probabilities that the dart
(a) hits the square drawn,
(b) neither hits the square nor the circle drawn.
(Give your answers correct to 3 decimal places.)
Solution
(a) Area of the dartboard =

(b)

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