Grade 7: Probability

Complete the table to show all of the possible outcomes of tossing a coin and spinning a 4 sector spinner (blue, cyan, green, magenta). Click on Check to see if you completed the table correctly.

Robert's Online Spreadsheet! Disclaimer.

learn when there are two independent events, the number of possible outcomes equals the number of possible outcomes of the first event times the possible outcomes of the second event.

Do you see this pattern from the first part of the lesson. If not look at the examples again. Let's see if you can apply it to three new situations.

Complete the following chart. Click on Check to see if you completed the table correctly.

Number of Possible Outcomes

* refers to the number of equal sized sectors in the spinner

create and solve problems, using the numerical definition of probability as favourable outcomes divided by possible outcomes.

Toss a set of two di 20 times. If 12 comes up 1 time, then the number of favorable outcomes that heads comes up is 1.

Toss Dice

There are 36 possible outcomes each time two dice are thrown. Study the pattern of the animation below to learn the number of combinations to make all of the possible numbers tossed.

The theoretical probability of the event is the fraction:

# ways the event can occur
total possible outcomes

When two di are tossed, the theoretical probability of the event that 12 comes up is:

P(12) = 1/36 = 0.028 = 2.8%

The experimental probability for equally likely events is the fraction:

# favourable outcomes
total outcomes

Referring to the situation above, the experimental probability of the event that twelve comes up is:

P(12) = 1/20 = 0.05 = 3%

Simulations

Use these dice, spinners, and coins on the simulations to make your own probability problems.

Remember when there are two independent events, the number of possible outcomes equals the number of possible outcomes of the first event times the possible outcomes of the second event.