Definition

Probability is the measure of how

likely something will occur.
It is the ratio of desired outcomes to
total outcomes.
(# desired) / (# total)
Probabilities of all outcomes sums to
1.
 Example
If I roll a number cube, there are six
total possibilities. (1,2,3,4,5,6)
Each possibility only has one outcome,
so each has a PROBABILITY of 1/6.
For instance, the probability I roll a 2
is 1/6, since there is only a single 2
on the number cube.
Practice

If I flip a coin, what is the

probability I get heads?
What is the probability I
get tails?

Remember, to think of how many

possibilities there are.
 Answer
P(heads) = 1/2
P(tails) = 1/2

Ifyou add these two up, you will get 1, which means the
answers are probably right.
Two or more events

If there are two or more events, you

need to consider if it is happening at
the same time or one after the other.
 “And”
If the two events are happening at
the same time, you need to
multiply the two probabilities
together.
Usually, the questions use the word
“and” when describing the outcomes.
 “Or”
If the two events are happening one
after the other, you need to add
the two probabilities.
Usually, the questions use the word
“or” when describing the
outcomes.
Practice

If
I roll a number cube and flip a coin:
What is the probability I will get a heads and a 6?
What is the probability I will get a tails or a 3?
 Answers
P(heads and 6) = 1/2 x 1/6 =1/12

P(tails or a 5) = 1/2 + 1/6 = 8/12 = 2/3

Probability

of Simple

Events
Probability of Simple Events
Objective:
Students will be able to find the probability of a
simple event.
Students will be able to understand the distinction
between simple events and compound events.

Essential Question:
(1) How do I find the probability of a simple
event?
(2) How can I distinguish between a simple and
compound event?
Probability of Simple Events
Vocabulary:
 Outcome – one possible result of a probability.
 Sample Space – the list of possible outcomes
for a probability event.
 Random – outcomes that occur at random if
each outcome is equally likely to occur.
 Simple Event – a specific outcome or type of
outcome.
 Complementary Events – the events of one
outcome happening and that outcomes not
happening are complimentary; the sum of the
probabilities of complementary events is 1.
Probability of Simple Events
Real World Example:
Best Buy is having an IPOD giveaway.
They put all the IPOD Shuffles in a
bag. Customers may choose an IPOD
without looking at the color. Inside the
bag are 4 orange, 5 blue, 6 green, and
5 pink IPODS. If Maria chooses one
IPOD at random, what is the probability
she will choose an orange IPOD?
Probability of Simple Events
Real World Example:
Best Buy is having an IPOD giveaway.
They put all the IPOD Shuffles in a
bag. Customers may choose an IPOD
without looking at the color. Inside the
bag are 4 orange, 5 blue, 6 green, and
5 pink IPODS. If Maria chooses one
IPOD at random, what is the probability
she will choose an orange IPOD?

P(orange) = 4/20 = 2/10 = 1/5 or 20%

Probability of Simple Events

What is a PROBABILITY?

P(event) = number of favorable outcomes

number of possible outcomes

Examples that use Probability:

(1) Dice, (2) Spinners, (3) Coins, (4) Deck of

Cards, (5) Evens/Odds, (6) Alphabet, etc.
Probability of Simple Events

What is a PROBABILITY?

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

0 ¼ or .25 ½ 0r .5 ¾ or .75 1

Impossible Not Very Equally Likely Somewhat Certain

Likely Likely
Probability of Simple Events

Example 1: Roll a dice.

What is the probability of rolling a 4?

# favorable outcomes
P(event) =
# possible outcomes

1
P(rolling 4) = 6

The probability of rolling a 4 is 1 out of 6

Probability of Simple Events

Example 5: Deck of Cards.

What is the probability of picking a heart?
# favorable outcomes 13 1
P(heart) = =
# possible outcomes 52 4
The probability of picking a heart is
1 out of 4 or .25 or 25%
What is the probability of picking a non heart?
# favorable
P(nonheart) = outcomes= 39 3

# possible outcomes 52 4
The probability of picking a heart is
Probability of Simple Events

Key Concepts:

- Probability is the chance that some

event will happen

- It is the ratio of the number of

ways a certain even can occur to
the total number of possible
outcomes
Probability of Simple Events

Guided Practice: Calculate the probability

of each independent event.

1) P(black) =
2) P(1) =
3) P(odd) =
4) P(prime) =
Probability of Simple Events

Guided Practice: Answers.

1) P(black) = 4/8
2) P(1) = 1/8
3) P(odd) = 1/2
4) P(prime) = 1/2
Probability of Simple Events

Independent Practice: Calculate the

probability of each independent event.

1) P(red) =
2) P(2) =
3) P(not red) =
4) P(even) =
Probability of Simple Events

Independent Practice: Answers.

1) P(red) = 1/2
2) P(2) = 1/4
3) P(not red) = 1/2
4) P(even) = 1/2
Probability of Simple Events

Real World Example:

A computer company manufactures 2,500
computers each day. An average of 100 of
these computers are returned with defects.
What is the probability that the computer
you purchased is not defective?
P(not defective) = # not defective = 2,400 = 24
total # manufactured 2,500 25