A deck of playing cards

A successful outcome is a result that is desired. For example, if you want to get an even number when you
roll a die, then the successful outcomes are 2, 4 and 6.
Many such problems involve a deck or pack of playing cards.
A normal deck or pack consists of 52 cards, of which 26 are red and 26 are black.
The red cards consist of two suits: hearts and diamonds (13 of each);
The black cards consist of two suits: clubs and spades (13 of each).
The cards are numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king and ace (13 cards) for each of the four
suits.

From a normal pack of 52 playing cards one card is selected random. What is the probability that
the card is:
(a) a club?
(b) a three?
(c) the three of clubs?

The total number of outcomes = the total number of cards

= 52
(a) A successful outcome means the card drawn is a club.
The number of successful outcomes = 13.

13 1

52 4
(b) A successful outcome means the card drawn is a three.
The number of successful outcomes = 4.
4
1
The probability that the card is a three =

52 13
(c) A successful outcome means the card is the three of clubs.
The number of successful outcomes = 1.
1
The probability that the card is the three of clubs =
52
The probability that the card is a club =

From a normal pack of 52 playing cards one card is selected random. What is the probability that the
card is:
(a) a heart?
(b) a seven?
(c) the seven of hearts?

(d) a spade?

(e) a queen

(f) a seven or a queen?

(g) the seven of clubs?

(h) the queen of hearts

(i) a fifteen?

(j) a king, queen or jack?

(k) an even numbered card?

(l) a numbered card?

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A deck of playing cards

Answers
1

13 1
4
1
1
13 1
4
1
8
2
1
(b)

(e)

(c)
(d)
(f)
(g)

52 4
52 13
52
52 4
52 13
52 13
52
1
12
3
20
5
36
9

(h)
(i) 0(j)
(k)
(l)
52
42 13
52 13
52 13

(a)

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