COMPUTING PROBABILITIES

MS. GIE ANNE MARIE INOT

OBJECTIVES:

1.) IDENTIFY THE SAMPLE SPACE

2.) DETERMINE THE PROBABILITY OF
AN EVENT
3.) DETERMINE THE PROBABILITY OF
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS (THROUGH
MULTIPLICATION RULES)
4.) DETERMINE THE PROBABILITY OF
COMPOUND EVENTS (THROUGH
ADDITION RULES)
LET’S TRY THIS!

Using a standard deck of 52 cards, determine

the number of ways you can pick a card that is:

1. A red card = 26 4. A face card = 12

2. A club = 13 5. A black ace = 2
3. A number card = 36 6. A king of heart = 1
PROBABILITY OF AN EVENT

This is the numerical measure of the likelihood that

an event will occur. It is calculated by finding the
quotient of the number of favorable outcomes and
the total number of possible outcomes.

𝑛(𝐸)
In symbols, 𝑃 𝐸 =
𝑛(𝑆)
where n(E) is the number of the elements in the event and
n(S) is the number of the elements in the sample space.
PROBABILITY OF AN EVENT
The probability of an event is always a value from zero to one,
in symbols 0 ≤ 𝑃(𝐸) ≤ 1.
 A probability of 0 means that the event is impossible
to happen.
 The event is less likely to happen when the
probability is close to 0.
 The event is less more likely to happen when the
probability is close to 1.
 A probability of 1 means that the event is certain to
happen.
PROBLEM # 1.

If you flip two coins

together, what is the
probability of getting both
heads?
IF YOU FLIP TWO COINS TOGETHER, WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY
OF GETTING BOTH HEADS?

𝑛(𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠)
𝑃 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 =
𝑛(2 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑)
1
= 𝑜𝑟 0.25 𝑜𝑟 25%
4

Since, sample space is 𝑆 = 𝐻𝐻, 𝐻𝑇, 𝑇𝐻, 𝑇𝑇

PROBLEM # 2.

A pair of dice is thrown.

What is the probability of
getting doubles?
A PAIR OF DICE IS THROWN. WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY OF
GETTING DOUBLES?

𝑛(𝑑𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠)
𝑃 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠 =
𝑛(2 𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑛)
6 1
= = 𝑜𝑟 0.1667 𝑜𝑟 16.67%
36 6

Since, sample space is

𝟏, 𝟏 , 1,2 , 1,3 , 1,4 , 1,5 , 1,6 ,

2,1 , 𝟐, 𝟐 , 2,3 , 2,4 , 2,5 , 2,6 ,
3,1 , 3,2 , 𝟑, 𝟑 , 3,4 , 3,5 , 3,6 ,
𝑆=
4,1 , 4,2 , 4,3 , 𝟒, 𝟒 , 4,5 , 4,6 ,
5,1 , 5,2 , 5,3 , 5,4 , 𝟓, 𝟓 , 5,6 ,
6,1 , 6,2 , 6,3 , 6,4 , 6,5 , 𝟔, 𝟔
PROBABILITY OF AN EVENT

The probability that an event will happen and

the probability that it will not happen give a
sum of 1, or in symbols, 𝑃 𝐸 + 𝑃 𝐸 ′ = 1.

Therefore, 𝑃 𝐸 ′ = 1 − 𝑃 𝐸 . This is called the

Complement Rule of Probability
PROBLEM # 3.

Jess has a bag with 6 red, 4

blue, and 8 yellow
marbles. What is the
probability that a marble
chosen is not red?
JESS HAS A BAG WITH 6 RED, 4 BLUE, AND 8 YELLOW MARBLES.
WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY THAT A MARBLE CHOSEN IS NOT
RED?

𝑛(𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒𝑑)
𝑃 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑑 = 1 −
𝑛(𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑠)
6
=1−
18
2
= 𝑜𝑟 0.6667 𝑜𝑟 66.67%
3

Since, sample space is

𝑆 = 𝑅1 , 𝑅2 , 𝑅3 , 𝑅4 , 𝑅5 , 𝑅6 , 𝐵1 , 𝐵2 , 𝐵3 , 𝐵4 , 𝑌1 , 𝑌2 , 𝑌3 , 𝑌4 , 𝑌5 , 𝑌6 , 𝑌7 , 𝑌8
PROBLEM # 4.

A four – digit number is

formed using the digits 1, 2,
3, 5, 8, and 9. What is the
probability that the number
formed is not odd?
A FOUR – DIGIT NUMBER IS FORMED USING THE DIGITS 1, 2, 3,
5, 8, AND 9. WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY THAT THE NUMBER
FORMED IS NOT ODD?

𝑛(𝑜𝑑𝑑)
𝑃 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑑𝑑 = 1 −
𝑛(𝑎𝑙𝑙 4 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)
6∙6∙6∙4
=1−
6∙6∙6∙6
1
= 𝑜𝑟 0.3333 𝑜𝑟 33.33%
3
PROBLEM # 5.

Twenty people with two sisters

among them want to sit around
a round table such that the two
sisters sit together. What is the
probability that the two sisters
would sit together?
TWENTY PEOPLE WITH TWO SISTERS AMONG THEM WANT TO SIT
AROUND A ROUND TABLE SUCH THAT THE TWO SISTERS SIT
TOGETHER. WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY THAT THE TWO SISTERS
WOULD SIT TOGETHER?

𝑛(2 𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟)

𝑃 2 𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 =
𝑛(𝑎𝑙𝑙 20 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒)

19−1 ! ∙ 2!
=
20−1 !
2
= 𝑜𝑟 0. 1053𝑜𝑟 10.53%
19
PROBLEM # 6.

Twenty books consisting of 7

algebra, 4 geometry, and 9
trigonometry books are to be
randomly arranged on a shelf.
What is the probability that the
geometry books are arranged next
to one another?
TWENTY BOOKS CONSISTING OF 7 ALGEBRA, 4 GEOMETRY, AND
9 TRIGONOMETRY BOOKS ARE TO BE RANDOMLY ARRANGED ON
A SHELF. WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY THAT THE GEOMETRY BOOKS
ARE ARRANGED NEXT TO ONE ANOTHER?

𝑛(4 𝑔𝑒𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠)

𝑃 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑔𝑒𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 =
𝑛(𝑎𝑙𝑙 20 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠)
17! ∙ 4!
=
20!
1
= 𝑜𝑟 0. 0035 𝑜𝑟 0.35%
285
PROBLEM # 7.

There are 10 girls and 8 boys in a

senior high school class. A
committee of 4 students is being
chosen at random to decide the
theme for the school event. What is
the probability that the committee
will have 3 girls and a boy?
THERE ARE 10 GIRLS AND 8 BOYS IN A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS. A COMMITTEE OF 4 STUDENTS IS BEING CHOSEN AT
RANDOM TO DECIDE THE THEME FOR THE SCHOOL EVENT. WHAT
IS THE PROBABILITY THAT THE COMMITTEE WILL HAVE 3 GIRLS
AND A BOY?

𝑛(3 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1 𝑏𝑜𝑦)

𝑃 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑒 𝑜𝑓 3 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1 𝑏𝑜𝑦 =
𝑛(4 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠)
10𝐶3 ⋅ 8𝐶1
=
18𝐶4
16
= 𝑜𝑟 0. 3137 𝑜𝑟 31.37%
51
PROBABILITY INVOLVING A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

This refers to computing the probability of an event

followed by another event, whether from the same
experiment or from another.

FOR EXAMPLE: Landing on a head when a coin is tossed

and drawing a diamond card from a standard deck of
cards

Since they are two independent events, their probabilities

are individually computed and then multiplied.
MULTIPLICATION RULE OF PROBABILITY:
INDEPENDENT EVENTS

Two events A and B are independent when the

outcome of the first does not affect the outcome of
the other. In general, the probability of event A
followed by another independent event B occurring is
given by

𝑷(𝑨∩𝑩)=𝑷(𝑨) 𝒙 𝑷(𝑩)
Note that this rule may be extended for a sequence with more
than two events.
PROBLEM # 8.

A coin is tossed and then a

die is rolled. What is the
probability of getting a
head followed by a 4?
A COIN IS TOSSED AND THEN A DIE IS ROLLED. WHAT IS THE
PROBABILITY OF GETTING A HEAD FOLLOWED BY A 4?

𝑃 𝐴∩𝐵 =𝑃 𝐴 ⋅𝑃 𝐵
1 1
= ⋅
2 6
1
= 𝑜𝑟 0.0833 𝑜𝑟 8.33%
12

wherein A = getting a head from the tossed coin

B = getting a 4 from the rolled die
PROBLEM # 9.

A pair of dice is rolled

thrice. What is the
probability of getting
doubles in the three rolls?
A PAIR OF DICE IS ROLLED THRICE. WHAT IS THE
PROBABILITY OF GETTING DOUBLES IN THE THREE ROLLS?

𝑃 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 ∩ 𝐶 = 𝑃 𝐴 ⋅ 𝑃 𝐵 ⋅ 𝑃(𝐶)
6 6 6
= ⋅ ⋅
36 36 36
1
= 𝑜𝑟 0.0046 𝑜𝑟 0.46%
216

wherein A = getting doubles in the first roll of the dice

B = getting doubles in the second roll of the dice
C = getting doubles in the third roll of the dice
PROBLEM # 10.

Suppose a soccer player has a

75% chance of making a goal
that he can keep each time he
tries to make a goal. What is the
probability that he makes a
goal the first three times he
tries to but not on the fourth
try?
SUPPOSE A SOCCER PLAYER HAS A 75% CHANCE OF MAKING A
GOAL THAT HE CAN KEEP EACH TIME HE TRIES TO MAKE A GOAL.
WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY THAT HE MAKES A GOAL THE FIRST
THREE TIMES HE TRIES TO BUT NOT ON THE FOURTH TRY?

𝑃 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 ∩ 𝐶 ∩ 𝐷 = 𝑃 𝐴 ⋅ 𝑃 𝐵 ⋅ 𝑃(𝐶) ⋅P(D)
= 0.75 0.75 0.75 1 − 0.75
27
= 𝑜𝑟 0.1055 𝑜𝑟 10.55%
256

wherein A = getting a goal on the first try

B = getting a goal on the second try
C = getting a goal on the third try
D = not getting a goal on the fourth try
MULTIPLICATION RULE OF PROBABILITY:
DEPENDENT EVENTS

Two events A and B are dependent when the outcome

of the first affect the outcome of the other. In general,
the probability of event A followed by a dependent
event B occurring is given by

𝑷(𝑨∩𝑩)=𝑷(𝑨) 𝒙 𝑷(𝑩|𝑨)
where P(A) is the probability that event A happens and
P(B|A) is the probability that event B happens after A
happened.
PROBLEM # 11.

Jacob draws 2 cards at

random from a standard
deck of 52 cards without
replacement. What is the
probability of getting 2 ace
cards?
JACOB DRAWS 2 CARDS AT RANDOM FROM A STANDARD DECK
OF 52 CARDS WITHOUT REPLACEMENT. WHAT IS THE
PROBABILITY OF GETTING 2 ACE CARDS?

𝑃 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = 𝑃 𝐴 ⋅ 𝑃 𝐵|𝐴
4 3
= ⋅
52 51
1
= 𝑜𝑟 0.0045 𝑜𝑟 0.45%
221

wherein A = getting an ace card on the first draw

B|A = getting another ace card on the second draw,
without replacement
PROBLEM # 12.

Gabriel has a candy box

containing 9 chocolate
candies and 12 lollipops.
What is the probability that
he picks 2 lollipops, one at a
time?
GABRIEL HAS A CANDY BOX CONTAINING 9 CHOCOLATE
CANDIES AND 12 LOLLIPOPS. WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY
THAT HE PICKS 2 LOLLIPOPS, ONE AT A TIME?

𝑃 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = 𝑃 𝐴 ⋅ 𝑃 𝐵|𝐴
12 11
= ⋅
21 20
11
= 𝑜𝑟 0.3143 𝑜𝑟 31.43%
35

wherein A = getting a lollipop on the first pick

B|A = getting another lollipop on the second pick,
after picking the first lollipop
PROBABILITY OF COMPOUND EVENTS

This refers to computing the probability of only one

event that is composed of two different events.

FOR EXAMPLE: getting a black or a red card from a

single draw of card

Since they are mutually exclusive events, you simply

get the probability of the union of the individual
events.
ADDITION RULE OF PROBABILITY:
MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE EVENTS

Two different events A and B are mutually exclusive

when these two have no common outcome or
element. In general, the probability of a single event
that is made up of two different mutually exclusive
events A and B is given by

𝑷 𝑨 ∪ 𝑩 = 𝑷 𝑨 + 𝑷(𝑩)
PROBLEM # 13.

A card is drawn at random

from a standard deck of
cards. What is the
probability that the card
drawn is an ace or a king?
A CARD IS DRAWN AT RANDOM FROM A STANDARD DECK
OF CARDS. WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY THAT THE CARD
DRAWN IS AN ACE OR A KING?

𝑃 𝐴∪𝐵 =𝑃 𝐴 +𝑃 𝐵
4 4
= +
52 52
2
= 𝑜𝑟 0. 1538 𝑜𝑟 15.38%
13

wherein A = getting an ace card

B = getting a king card
PROBLEM # 14.

A pair of dice is rolled.

What is the probability
that the sum is 5 or 6?
A PAIR OF DICE IS ROLLED. WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY THAT
THE SUM IS 5 OR 6?

𝑃 𝐴∪𝐵 =𝑃 𝐴 +𝑃 𝐵
4 5
= +
36 36
1
= 𝑜𝑟 0. 25 𝑜𝑟 25%
4

wherein A = getting a sum of 5 { 1,4 , 2,3 , 3,2 , 4,1 }

B = getting a sum of 6 { 1,5 , 2,4 , 3,3 , 4,2 , 5,1 }
ADDITION RULE OF PROBABILITY:
INCLUSIVE EVENTS

Two events A and B are inclusive when these two

have a common outcome or element, but must not be
done together. In general, if events A and B are given
such that A and B have common outcomes. The
probability of the event A or B is determined by

𝑷 𝑨 ∪ 𝑩 = 𝑷 𝑨 + 𝑷 𝑩 − 𝑷(𝑨 ∩ 𝑩)
PROBLEM # 15.

If a card is selected at
random from a standard
deck of cards, what is the
probability that the card
drawn is a red card or a face
card?
IF A CARD IS SELECTED AT RANDOM FROM A STANDARD
DECK OF CARDS, WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY THAT THE
CARD DRAWN IS A RED CARD OR A FACE CARD?

𝑃 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 = 𝑃 𝐴 + 𝑃 𝐵 − 𝑃(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵)
26 12 6
= + −
52 52 52
8
= 𝑜𝑟 0. 6154 𝑜𝑟 61.54%
13

wherein A = getting a red card

B = getting a face card
𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = getting a red face card
PROBLEM # 16.

In a Math 2 class, there are 15

grade 11 and 20 grade 12; 9 of
the grade 11 are females, while
5 of the grade 12 are males.
Find the probability that a
student chosen at random is
either a grade 12 or a female?
IN A MATH 2 CLASS, THERE ARE 15 GRADE 11 AND 20 GRADE
12; 9 OF THE GRADE 11 ARE FEMALES, WHILE 5 OF THE GRADE
12 ARE MALES. FIND THE PROBABILITY THAT A STUDENT
CHOSEN AT RANDOM IS EITHER A GRADE 12 OR A FEMALE?

𝑃 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 = 𝑃 𝐴 + 𝑃 𝐵 − 𝑃(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵)
20 24 15
= + −
35 35 35
29
= 𝑜𝑟 0. 8286 𝑜𝑟 82.86%
35

wherein A = choosing a grade 12 student

B = choosing a female student
𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = choosing a female grade 12 student