Introduction to Probability - 1

1 Probability = total number of favorable outcomes/total number of ALL outcomes.

x
• P(E) = , where,
n
• x = total number of favorable outcomes for the event
• n = total number of ALL outcomes
Thus, 0 ≤ P(E) ≤ 1, as x, n > 0 and x ≤ n.

2 Event is the thing for which we need to find the probability.

Example: There are two possible outputs when a coin is tossed. Thus, we can have:
• Event corresponding to the outcome as heads.
• Event corresponding to the outcome as tails.
Coin toss
Coin tossed
P(head) = 50%

# ways to get head 1 Head Tail 2 outcomes

= =
total outcomes 2

1 way 1 way
# favorable outcomes of the event # tail 1
P(event) = P(tail) = =
Total outcomes possible Total outcome 2

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Introduction to Probability - 2

3 Probability of an event can be expressed as either a ratio or a decimal or a percent.

1
Example: P(E) = = 0.5 = 50%
2

4 Sum of the probabilities of all the outcomes = 1

Jim is blindfolded and is asked to select one of the three boxes placed in front on him. Exactly one of the three boxes has a gold coin inside it
and the rest are empty. What is the probability that he selects the box that has the gold coin?
G
1 2 3
3 boxes

Gold No Gold
1 2
1 2
P(select box with gold) = P(select box w/o the gold) =
3 3
3

• We do not know if Jim will select the gold coin box.

• We just know that there is a 33.33%chance of that happening.

1 2
P(select box with gold) + P(select box w/o the gold) = + =1
3 3
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