Year 10 Topic Practice Papers - Probability

PLC Papers
Created For:
Year 10 Topic Practice Papers: Probability

Mutually Exclusive Sum 1 Grade 4
Objective: Know that the sum of all possible mutually exclusive outcomes is 1.
Question 1.
Here are some probabilities of particular events happening.

Write down the probabilities of the events not happening:
(a) P(h) = 0.2 (e) P(h) = 88%
(b) P(h) = 0.32 (f) P(h) = 75.5%
1
(c) P(h) = 0.41 (g) P(h) =
4
11
(d) P(h) = 52% (h) P(h) =
13
(8)
(Total 8 marks)
Question 2.
Benny and Brad play a game of chess.

From analysing previous games, the probability of Benny winning is 0.3.
What is the probability of Brad winning?
..............................................
(2)
(Total 2 marks)
Total /10
PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

Question 1.
There are black, blue, red and yellow counters in a bag.

Find the probability of a yellow counter being pulled out, if the probabilities listed in the table show the
likelihood of each of the other colours:
(a) Black Blue Red Yellow

0.1 0.2 0.3
(2)
(b) Black Blue Red Yellow
0.26 0.12 0.23
(2)
(c) Black Blue Red Yellow
46% 11% 24%
(2)
1 1 3
10 5 20
(2)
(Total 8 marks)
Question 2.
Dave and Bernadette play a game of chess.

From analysing previous games, the probability of Dave winning a chess match is 0.42, the probability
Bernadette will win is 0.45.
What is the probability of a draw?
..............................................
(2)
(Total 2 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
A bag contains only red counters, white counters, yellow counters and black counters.
Tom is going to take a counter at random from the bag.
The table shows each of the probabilities that Tom will take a red counter or a white counter or a yellow
counter or a black counter.
(a) Work out the probability that Tom will take a yellow counter.
..............................................
(2)
Tom says that there are exactly 10 white counters in the bag.
Tom is wrong.
(b) Explain why there cannot be exactly 10 white counters in the bag.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Question 2.
There are only white counters, pink counters, green counters and blue counters in a bag.
The table shows the probabilities of picking at random a white counter and picking at random a blue
counter.
The probability of picking a pink counter is the same as the probability of picking a green counter.
(a) Complete the table.
............................................
(2)
(b) What is the probability of picking a white or a green counter?
............................................
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Question 3.
A bag contains counters that are red, orange, yellow or green.
A counter is chosen at random.

12
The probability it is red is .
100
Work out the probability it is green.
............................................
(4)
(Total 4 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
A biscuit tin contains chocolate digestives, shortbread, custard creams and cookies.
Henry is going to take a biscuit at random from the tin.
The table shows each of the probabilities that Henry will take a chocolate digestive or a shortbread or a
custard cream or a cookie.
(a) Work out the probability that Henry will choose a custard cream.
..............................................
(2)
Henry says that there are exactly 9 shortbread biscuits in the tin.
Henry is wrong.
(b) Explain why there cannot be exactly 9 shortbread biscuits in the tin.
..............................................................................................................................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Question 2.
Nadine has a choice of strawberry, peach, vanilla or cherry yoghurts.

The table shows the probabilities of picking at random a strawberry yoghurt and picking at random a cherry
yoghurt.
The probability of picking a peach yoghurt is the same as the probability of picking a vanilla yoghurt.
............................................
(2)
(b) What is the probability of not choosing a cherry yoghurt?
............................................
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Question 3.
A café serves chocolate, strawberry, banana or vanilla flavoured milkshakes.
Kelly chooses a flavour at random.

42
The probability it is chocolate is .
100
Work out the probability it is strawberry.
............................................
(4)
(Total 4 marks)
Total /10

Relative Frequency 1 Grade 4
Objective: Understand how relative expected frequencies relate to theoretical probability.
Question 1.
Jim, Hannah and Laura want to find out if a coin is biased.

They decide to toss the coin and count the number of times it lands on heads.
The table shows the number of trials each person completes and the number of times the coin lands on
heads.
(a) Complete the table to show the relative frequency for each experiment.
Give your answer as a decimal.
(3)
(b) Which person did the most accurate experiment?
Explain your choice.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(2)
(c) Is the coin fair?
Explain your answer.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(1)
(Total 6 marks)
Question 2.
A bag contains 27 red beads and 18 blue beads.

I choose a bead from the bag at random, record the colour and replace it.
(a) What is the probability that I will get a red bead?
..............................................
(2)
(b) If I repeat this experiment 80 times, how many times would I expect to get a red bead?
..............................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
A charity game at a fete is won when a ball is rolled down a board and lands in an even numbered pot.
1
Mr Barker claims that the probability of winning on any go is .
3
He charges 20p per go and awards a prize of 40p to winning rolls.
(a) Mr Barker expects 450 people to play.

Assuming his claim is true, how much money will he make for charity?
..............................................
(4)
(b) Class 10B think that Mr Barker is wrong.
They decide to conduct an experiment.
The table show the results.
Estimate the probability of winning from this experiment.
..............................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)
Question 2.
Seb flips a coin 10 times and gets 7 heads.

(a) Explain why he thinks the coin might be biased.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
He flips the same coin 200 times and gets 102 heads.
(b) Explain why he now thinks the coin is fair.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(c) Which is the most accurate estimate of the experimental probability of getting a head?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 3 marks)
Total /10

Probability of independent events 1 Grade 5
Objective: To calculate the probability of independent events using tree diagrams.
Question 1.
Wendy goes to a fun fair.

She has one go at Hoopla and one go on the Coconut shy.
The probability that she wins at Hoopla is 0.4 whereas the probability that she wins on the Coconut shy is
0.3.
(a) Complete the probability tree diagram.
(2)
(b) Work out the probability that Wendy wins at Hoopla and also wins on the Coconut shy.
..............................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)
Question 2
Lily and Anna take a test.
The probability that Lily will pass the test is 0.6

The probability that Anna will pass the test is 0.8
(a) Work out the probability that both of these girls fail the test.
..............................................
(3)
(b) Work out the probability that both of these girls pass the test or that both of these girls fail the test.
..............................................
(3)
(Total 6 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
In a newsagent's shop, the probability that any customer buys a newspaper is 0.6.
In the same shop, the probability that any customer buys a magazine is 0.3.
(2)
(b) Work out the probability that a customer will buy either a newspaper or a magazine but not both.
..............................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Question 2
Yvonne has 10 tulip bulbs in a bag.
7 of the tulip bulbs will grow into red tulips.

3 of the tulip bulbs will grow into yellow tulips.
Yvonne takes at random two tulip bulbs from the bag.

She plants the bulbs.
(2)
(b) Work out the probability that at least one of the bulbs will grow into a yellow tulip.
..............................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
When John throws a dart, the probability that he hits the target is 0·2.
Each attempt is independent of any previous throw.
(a) What is the probability that he hits the target for the first time on his third attempt?
..............................................
(2)
(b) Check whether or not there is more than a 50% chance of John hitting the target once only on his first
three attempts.
..............................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Question 2
The probability that Rachel will win any game of tennis is p.

She plays two games of tennis.
(a) Complete, in terms of p, the probability tree diagram.
(2)
(b) Write down an expression, in terms of p, for the probability that Rachel will win both games.
..............................................
(1)
(c) Write down an expression, in terms of p, for the probability that Rachel will win exactly one of the
games.
..............................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)
Total /10
Question 1.
On Saturday, Luke takes part in a high jump competition.
He has to jump at least 2 metres to qualify for the final on Sunday.

He has up to three jumps to qualify.
If he jumps at least 2 metres he does not jump again on Saturday.
Each time Luke jumps, the probability he jumps at least 2 metres is 0.7.
Assume each jump is independent.
(a) Complete the tree diagram.
(2)
(b) Work out the probability that he does not need the third jump to qualify.
..............................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)
Question 2
There are 10 pencils in a box.
There are x blue pencils in the box.

All the other pencils are red.
Emma selects a pencil from the box and replaces it. She then chooses another pencil.
(a) Complete, in terms of x, the probability tree diagram.
(2)
(b) Write down an expression, in terms of x, for the probability that Emma will choose two blue pencils.
..............................................
(1)
(c) Write down an expression, in terms of x, for the probability that Emma will choose a pencil of each
colour.
..............................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)
Question 3
A bag contains 7 blue counters and 3 red counters.

3 2 9
John calculates that the probability of picking 2 red counters in a row is � � = .
10 100
What assumption has John made for his answer to be correct?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 1 mark)
Total /10

Question 1.
Sian rolls a die 50 times and records the results in the table below.
(2)
(b) Does the die appear to be biased?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(1)
(c) How many times would you expect each number to occur?
..............................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Question 2.
A teacher has 8 boys and 9 girls in her class.

She chooses one of them at random.
(a) What is the probability that she chooses a girl?
..............................................
(2)
(b) Another teacher has 14 boys and 16 girls in his class.

He chooses a student at random whenever he wants someone to answer a question.
He does this 70 times one week.
How many times would he expect to choose a boy?
..............................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
A fairground game is won when a hoop is thrown and lands on the red coloured pole.
1
Paul claims that the probability of winning on any go is .
4
He charges 30p per go and awards a prize of 50p to winning throws.
(a) Paul expects 300 people to play in a day.

Assuming his claim is true, how much profit will he make each day?
..............................................
(4)
(b) Chloe thinks that Paul is wrong.
She decides to conduct an experiment.
..............................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)
Question 2.
A machine used to pack crisps had 200 bags tested for weight.
10 of the bags were underweight.
(a) Estimate the probability that the next bag of crisps from the machine is underweight.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(b) The machine packs 500 bags.
How many would you expect to be underweight?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 2 marks)
Question 3.
A car manufacturer wants to work out an estimate for the number of cars of each colour that will be bought
next year.
The Managing Director says to record the colours of the next 100 cars sold.
The Assistant Director says to record the colours of the next 1000 cars sold.
Who is more likely to get the better estimate?
Give a reason for your answer.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 1 mark)
Total /10
PLC Papers
Created For:
Year 10 Topic Practice Papers: Probability

Mutually Exclusive Sum 1 Grade 4 SOLUTIONS
Question 1.
Here are some probabilities of particular events happening.

Write down the probabilities of the events not happening:
(a) P(h) = 0.2 0.8 (e) P(h) = 88% 12%
(b) P(h) = 0.32 0.68 (f) P(h) = 75.5% 24.5%
1 3
(c) P(h) = 0.41 0.59 (g) P(h) =
4 4
11 2
(d) P(h) = 52% 48% (h) P(h) =
13 13
Each value B1
(8)
(Total 8 marks)
Question 2.
Benny and Brad play a game of chess.

From analysing previous games, the probability of Benny winning is 0.3.
What is the probability of Brad winning?
1 – 0.3 M1
0.7 A1
..............................................
(2)
(Total 2 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
There are black, blue, red and yellow counters in a bag.

Find the probability of a yellow counter being pulled out, if the probabilities listed in the table show the
likelihood of each of the other colours:

0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 1 – (0.1 + 0.2 + 0.3) = 0.4 M1A1
(2)
(b) Black Blue Red Yellow
0.26 0.12 0.23 0.39 1 – (0.26 + 0.12 + 0.23) = 0.39 M1A1
(2)
(c) Black Blue Red Yellow
46% 11% 24% 19% 100% - (46% + 11% + 24%) = 19% M1A1
(2)
1 1 3 11 1 1 3
1–( + + ) = 11/20 M1A1
10 5 20 20 10 5 20
(2)
(Total 8 marks)
Question 2.
Dave and Bernadette play a game of chess.

From analysing previous games, the probability of Dave winning a chess match is 0.42, the probability
Bernadette will win is 0.45.
What is the probability of a draw?
1 – (0.42 + 0.45) = M1
0.13 A1
..............................................
(2)
(Total 2 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
A bag contains only red counters, white counters, yellow counters and black counters.
Tom is going to take a counter at random from the bag.
The table shows each of the probabilities that Tom will take a red counter or a white counter or a yellow
counter or a black counter.
(a) Work out the probability that Tom will take a yellow counter.
1 – (0.25 + 0.1) = 0.65 M1
0.65 ÷ 5 = 0.13 A1
..............................................
(2)
Tom says that there are exactly 10 white counters in the bag.
Tom is wrong.
(b) Explain why there cannot be exactly 10 white counters in the bag.
10 ÷ 4 = 2.5 which is not a whole number C1
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Question 2.
There are only white counters, pink counters, green counters and blue counters in a bag.
The table shows the probabilities of picking at random a white counter and picking at random a blue
counter.
The probability of picking a pink counter is the same as the probability of picking a green counter.
1 – (0.34 + 0.18) = 0.48 M1
0.48 ÷ 2 = 0.24 A1
............................................
(2)
(b) What is the probability of picking a white or a green counter?
0.34 + 0.24 = 0.58 A1 ft
............................................
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Question 3.
A bag contains counters that are red, orange, yellow or green.
A counter is chosen at random.

12
The probability it is red is .
100
Work out the probability it is green.

4x + 2x + x + 4 = 7x + 4 M1
7x + 4 = 88 M1
x = 12 M1
P(green) = 12 + 4 = 16/100 A1
............................................
(4)
(Total 4 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
A biscuit tin contains chocolate digestives, shortbread, custard creams and cookies.
Henry is going to take a biscuit at random from the tin.
The table shows each of the probabilities that Henry will take a chocolate digestive or a shortbread or a
custard cream or a cookie.
(a) Work out the probability that Henry will choose a custard cream.
1 – (0.38 + 0.2) = 0.42 M1
0.42 ÷ 3 = 0.14 A1
..............................................
(2)
Henry says that there are exactly 9 shortbread biscuits in the tin.
Henry is wrong.
(b) Explain why there cannot be exactly 9 shortbread biscuits in the tin.
9 ÷ 2 = 4.5 which is not a whole number C1
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Question 2.
Nadine has a choice of strawberry, peach, vanilla or cherry yoghurts.

The table shows the probabilities of picking at random a strawberry yoghurt and picking at random a cherry
yoghurt.
The probability of picking a peach yoghurt is the same as the probability of picking a vanilla yoghurt.
1 – (0.65 + 0.13) = 0.22 M1
0.22 ÷ 2 = 0.11 A1
............................................
(2)
(b) What is the probability of not choosing a cherry yoghurt?
1 – 0.13 = 0.87 A1
OR
0.65 + 0.11 + 0.11 = 0.87
............................................
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Question 3.
A café serves chocolate, strawberry, banana or vanilla flavoured milkshakes.
Kelly chooses a flavour at random.

42
The probability it is chocolate is .
100
Work out the probability it is strawberry.

3x + x + x + 8 = 5x + 8 M1
5x + 8 = 58 M1
x = 10 M1
P(Strawberry) = 3 x 10 = 30/100 A1
............................................
(4)
(Total 4 marks)
Total /10

Relative Frequency 1 Grade 4 SOLUTIONS
Question 1.
Jim, Hannah and Laura want to find out if a coin is biased.

They decide to toss the coin and count the number of times it lands on heads.
The table shows the number of trials each person completes and the number of times the coin lands on
heads.
One mark for each correct relative frequency M3
(3)
(b) Which person did the most accurate experiment?
Explain your choice.
Laura M1
Because she did the most trials M1
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(2)
(c) Is the coin fair?
No, you would expect the relative frequency to be close to 0.5. M1

(Must compare relative frequency to 0.5).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(1)
(Total 6 marks)

Question 2.
A bag contains 27 red beads and 18 blue beads.

I choose a bead from the bag at random, record the colour and replace it.
(a) What is the probability that I will get a red bead?
27 + 18 = 45 M1
(45 seen as a denominator)
27 3
= A1 oe
45 5
..............................................
(2)
(b) If I repeat this experiment 80 times, how many times would I expect to get a red bead?
0.6 × 80 M1 ft
(Allow their probability multiplied by 80)
= 48 times A1 ft
..............................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
A charity game at a fete is won when a ball is rolled down a board and lands in an even numbered pot.
1
Mr Barker claims that the probability of winning on any go is .
3
He charges 20p per go and awards a prize of 40p to winning rolls.
(a) Mr Barker expects 450 people to play.

Assuming his claim is true, how much money will he make for charity?
1
of 450 = 150 M1
3
Total money raised = 450 x 20p = £90 M1

Prize money = 150 x 40p = £60 M1
£90 - £60 = £30 A1
..............................................
(4)
(b) Class 10B think that Mr Barker is wrong.
They decide to conduct an experiment.

Total = 160 M1
22 ÷ 160 (= 0.1375) + 27 ÷ 160 (=0.16875) M1
0.31 A1
..............................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

Question 2.
Seb flips a coin 10 times and gets 7 heads.

(a) Explain why he thinks the coin might be biased.
He has more heads than expected, would only expect 5 heads. C1
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
He flips the same coin 200 times and gets 102 heads.
(b) Explain why he now thinks the coin is fair.
He has a similar number of heads to what is expected, would expect 100. C1
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(c) Which is the most accurate estimate of the experimental probability of getting a head?
200 times – the more trials the more accurate. C1
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 3 marks)
Total /10

Probability of independent events 1 Grade 5 SOLUTIONS
Question 1.
Wendy goes to a fun fair.

She has one go at Hoopla and one go on the Coconut shy.
The probability that she wins at Hoopla is 0.4 whereas the probability that she wins on the Coconut shy is
0.3.
B1 for 0.6 in correct position on tree diagram

B1 for 0.7, 0.3, 0.7 in correct positions on tree diagram
(2)
(b) Work out the probability that Wendy wins at Hoopla and also wins on the Coconut shy.
0.4 x 0.3 = (M1)

0.12 (A1)
.............................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

Question 2
Lily and Anna take a test.
The probability that Lily will pass the test is 0.6

The probability that Anna will pass the test is 0.8
(a) Work out the probability that both of these girls fail the test.
1 – 0.6 = 0.4
1 – 0.8 = 0.2 B1 for 0.4 or 0.2 seen
0.4 x 0.2 M1 indication of correct branch formed on tree diagram or
otherwise, leading to 0.4 x 0.2
A1 0.08
..............................................
(3)
(b) Work out the probability that both of these girls pass the test or that both of these girls fail the test.
0.4 x 0.2 + 0.6 x 0.8 M1 for 0.6 x 0.8 or “0.4” x “0.2”

M1 0.6 x 0.8 + “0.4” x “0.2” or “0.08” + “0.48”
A1 0.56
..............................................
(3)
(Total 6 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
In a newsagent's shop, the probability that any customer buys a newspaper is 0.6.
In the same shop, the probability that any customer buys a magazine is 0.3.
B2 for 6 correct probabilities in the correct positions, B1 for 2, 3, 4 or 5 correct (2)
(b) Work out the probability that a customer will buy either a newspaper or a magazine but not both.
0.6 x 0.7 + 0.4 x 0.3 M1 for ‘0.6’ x ‘0.7’ or ‘0.4’ x ‘0.3’

M1 for ‘0.6’ x ‘0.7’ + ‘0.4’ x ‘0.3’
OR
M1 for ‘0.6’ x ‘0.3’ + ‘0.4’ x ‘0.7’
M1 for 1- (‘0.6’ x ‘0.3’ + ‘0.4’ x ‘0.7’)
A1 0.54
..............................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Question 2
Yvonne has 10 tulip bulbs in a bag.

7 of the tulip bulbs will grow into red tulips.
3 of the tulip bulbs will grow into yellow tulips.
Yvonne takes at random two tulip bulbs from the bag.

She plants the bulbs.
B1 for 3/10 on left hand of yellow branch

B1 for rest of fractions correct on tree diagram (2)
(b) Work out the probability that at least one of the bulbs will grow into a yellow tulip.
7 3 3 7 3 2
M1 for x or x or x
10 9 10 9 10 9
7 3 3 7 3 2
M1 for x + x + x
10 9 10 9 10 9
OR
7 6
M1 for x
10 9
7 6
M1 for 1 - x
10 9
48
A1 oe
90
..............................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)
Total /10
Question 1.
When John throws a dart, the probability that he hits the target is 0·2.
Each attempt is independent of any previous throw.
(a) What is the probability that he hits the target for the first time on his third attempt?
P(miss) = 0.8
P(miss, miss, hit) = 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.2 M1
0.128 A1
..............................................
(2)
(b) Check whether or not there is more than a 40% chance of John hitting the target once only on his first
three attempts.
P(H,M,M) = 0.2 x 0.8 x 0.8 or P(M,H,M) = 0.8 x 0.2 x 0.8 or P(M,M,H) = 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.2 M1
P(H,M,M) = 0.2 x 0.8 x 0.8 + P(M,H,M) = 0.8 x 0.2 x 0.8 + P(M,M,H) = 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.2 M1
0.384 which is less than 40% A1
..............................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Question 2
The probability that Rachel will win any game of tennis is p.

She plays two games of tennis.
(a) Complete, in terms of p, the probability tree diagram.
B1 For 1 – p.
B1 For all probabilities correct.
(2)
(b) Write down an expression, in terms of p, for the probability that Rachel will win both games.
p x p = p2 A1
..............................................
(1)
(c) Write down an expression, in terms of p, for the probability that Rachel will win exactly one of the
games.
P(1 – p) M1
2 x p(1 – p) = 2p(1 – p) A1 oe
..............................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)
Total /10
Question 1.
On Saturday, Luke takes part in a high jump competition.
He has to jump at least 2 metres to qualify for the final on Sunday.

He has up to three jumps to qualify.
If he jumps at least 2 metres he does not jump again on Saturday.
Each time Luke jumps, the probability he jumps at least 2 metres is 0.7.
Assume each jump is independent.
(a) Complete the tree diagram.
(2)
(b) Work out the probability that he does not need the third jump to qualify.
P(qualifies 1st attempt) = 0.7 + P(qualifies 2nd attempt) = 0.3 x 0.7 (= 0.21) M1
0.91 A1
..............................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

Question 2
There are 10 pencils in a box.
There are x blue pencils in the box.

All the other pencils are red.
Emma selects a pencil from the box and replaces it. She then chooses another pencil.
(a) Complete, in terms of x, the probability tree diagram.
(2)
(b) Write down an expression, in terms of x, for the probability that Emma will choose two blue pencils.
x x x = x2 A1
..............................................
(1)
(c) Write down an expression, in terms of x, for the probability that Emma will choose a pencil of each
colour.
x(10 – x) M1
2 x x(10 – x) = 2x(10 – x) A1
..............................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)
Question 3
A bag contains 7 blue counters and 3 red counters.

3 2 9
John calculates that the probability of picking 2 red counters in a row is � � = .
10 100
What assumption has John made for his answer to be correct?
He has assumed the first counter has been replaced. C1
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 1 mark)
Total /10

Question 1.
Sian rolls a die 50 times and records the results in the table below.
All relative frequencies correct M2

(If at least 2 are correct) M1
(2)
(b) Does the die appear to be biased?
Yes because you get more 5’s than you would expect. C1
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(1)
(c) How many times would you expect each number to occur?
50 ÷ 6 = 8.3333 M1
8 or 9 times A1
..............................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Question 2.
A teacher has 8 boys and 9 girls in her class.

She chooses one of them at random.
(a) What is the probability that she chooses a girl?
8 + 9 = 17 M1
(17 seen as a denominator)
9
A1
17
(Allow 0.529 or better)
..............................................
(2)
(b) Another teacher has 14 boys and 16 girls in his class.

He chooses a student at random whenever he wants someone to answer a question.
He does this 70 times one week.
How many times would he expect to choose a boy?

14 7
= M1
30 15
(Allow 0.467 or better)
7
x 70 = 32.67 M1
15
(Allow FT from their calculation)
He would expect to choose a boy 32 or 33 times. A1
..............................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)
Total /10

Question 1.
A fairground game is won when a hoop is thrown and lands on the red coloured pole.
1
Paul claims that the probability of winning on any go is .
4
He charges 30p per go and awards a prize of 50p to winning throws.
(a) Paul expects 300 people to play in a day.

Assuming his claim is true, how much profit will he make each day?
1
of 300 = 75 M1
4
Total money raised = 300 x 30p = £90 M1

Prize money = 75 x 50p = £37.50 M1
£90 - £37.50 = £52.50 A1
..............................................
(4)
(b) Chloe thinks that Paul is wrong.
She decides to conduct an experiment.

Total = 181 M1
12 ÷ 181 M1
0.07 A1
..............................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)
Question 2.
A machine used to pack crisps had 200 bags tested for weight.
10 of the bags were underweight.
(a) Estimate the probability that the next bag of crisps from the machine is underweight.
10 1
=
200 20
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(b) The machine packs 500 bags.
How many would you expect to be underweight?
1
x 500 = 25
20
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 2 marks)
Question 3.
A car manufacturer wants to work out an estimate for the number of cars of each colour that will be bought
next year.
The Managing Director says to record the colours of the next 100 cars sold.
The Assistant Director says to record the colours of the next 1000 cars sold.
Who is more likely to get the better estimate?
Give a reason for your answer.
Assistant Director – the more cars recorded the more accurate the estimate.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
(Total 1 mark)
Total /10

Year 10 Topic Practice Papers - Probability

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Year 10 Topic Practice Papers - Probability

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PLC Papers

Year 10 Topic Practice Papers: Probability

Here are some probabilities of particular events happening.

Benny and Brad play a game of chess.

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

There are black, blue, red and yellow counters in a bag.

(a) Black Blue Red Yellow

Dave and Bernadette play a game of chess.

What is the probability of a draw?

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

(a) Complete the table.

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

A bag contains counters that are red, orange, yellow or green.

A counter is chosen at random.

Work out the probability it is green.

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

Nadine has a choice of strawberry, peach, vanilla or cherry yoghurts.

(a) Complete the table.

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

A café serves chocolate, strawberry, banana or vanilla flavoured milkshakes.

Kelly chooses a flavour at random.

Work out the probability it is strawberry.

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

Jim, Hannah and Laura want to find out if a coin is biased.

A bag contains 27 red beads and 18 blue beads.

(a) What is the probability that I will get a red bead?

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

(a) Mr Barker expects 450 people to play.

Estimate the probability of winning from this experiment.

Seb flips a coin 10 times and gets 7 heads.

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

Wendy goes to a fun fair.

(a) Complete the probability tree diagram.

Lily and Anna take a test.

The probability that Lily will pass the test is 0.6

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

(a) Complete the probability tree diagram.

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

Yvonne has 10 tulip bulbs in a bag.

7 of the tulip bulbs will grow into red tulips.

Yvonne takes at random two tulip bulbs from the bag.

(a) Complete the probability tree diagram.

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

The probability that Rachel will win any game of tennis is p.

(a) Complete, in terms of p, the probability tree diagram.

On Saturday, Luke takes part in a high jump competition.

He has to jump at least 2 metres to qualify for the final on Sunday.

(a) Complete the tree diagram.

There are 10 pencils in a box.

There are x blue pencils in the box.

(a) Complete, in terms of x, the probability tree diagram.

A bag contains 7 blue counters and 3 red counters.

What assumption has John made for his answer to be correct?

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

PiXL PLC 2017 Certification

A teacher has 8 boys and 9 girls in her class.

(a) What is the probability that she chooses a girl?

(b) Another teacher has 14 boys and 16 girls in his class.

How many times would he expect to choose a boy?