Yr 7 Accelerated Mathematics

Class Notes

Probability

Last edited: 26-02-2015

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Year 7 Accelerated Math
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Probability
We have all encountered the notion of probability in our lives. It is one of the most versatile mathematical
models we use to predict events.

Mathematically we denote probability with the notation:

number of desirable events ( E )

P ( E )=
total number of events

Note this only works for equally likely events.

Question 1

Consider a tossing a six sided die, with each side numbered with a numeral from 1 to 6 . What is the
probability of the die landing on a:

i) 1
ii) Even number
iii) Odd number
iv) Number greater than 4

Question 2

In a deck of 52 cards, what is the probability of drawing a:

i) 4
ii) A spade
iii) A black queen
iv) A queen of hearts
v) 15

Question 3

A number is chosen at random from the numbers 1,2,3,...,12. Find the probability that the number is

i. Divisible by 3
ii. Divisible by 4
iii. Divisible by 3 and 4
iv. Divisible by 3 or 4

Question 4

If a fair die is rolled twice

i. Find the probability that two 5’s occur

ii. If it is known that at least one 5 occurs, find the probability that two 5’s occur.

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Question 5

A fair coin is thrown 3 times. Find the probability that

i. Sequence head, tail, head occur

ii. Two heads and one tail occur

Question 6

A die is biased so that on any roll the number 6 is twice as likely as any other number. The die is rolled
once, find the probability of:

i. A 6 occurs
ii. An even number occurs.

Complementary Events

Consider the opposite case of what we want. It is due to this nature that we can consider and accurately
determine the probability of complementary events. The complement of event A is the event ‘ A does not
occur.’

Question 7

A six sided die is rolled.

i) What is the probability that the die lands on a 4 ?

ii) What is the probability that the die does not land on a 4?

Question 8

From a pack of 52 playing cards one card is drawn at random. What is the probability that is is

i) A diamond
ii) Not a spade
iii) An ace
iv) Not a red ace

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Venn Diagrams
A Venn diagram is a useful tool for determining the numbers in a specific class when they overlap. For
example:

Question 1

In a class of 50 students, 18 take Chorus, 26 take Band, and 2 take both Chorus and Band. How many
students in the class are not enrolled in either Chorus or Band?

Question 2

A veterinarian surveys 26 of his patrons. He discovers that 14 have dogs, 10 have cats, and 5 have fish.
Four have dogs and cats, 3 have dogs and fish, and one has a cat and fish. If no one has all three kinds of
pets, how many patrons have none of these pets?

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Question 3

In a class of 20 students, 10 study history, 6 study geography and 2 study both. A student is chosen at
random from the class. Find the probability that the student studies

i. Neither history or geography

ii. Exactly one of history or geography

Number of Arrangements for a Class

Have a look around. How many people are currently in the class?

How many empty seats are there available to be sat in?

If I was to let you guys in one by one, how many ways can I arrange you guys around the room?

If say, Frank had to sit specifically in the front row, now how many ways can I arrange you guys?

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Number of arrangements of n objects in a row, when they are not all different
A very common question in an exam is what happens when we have repeated elements. It turns out that
once we have repeated elements, then we need to reduce / de-duplicate the number of combinations or
permutations in our counts.

The number of ways of arranging n objects in a row, where there are p alike of one kind, q alike of another
etc. is

n!
p! q!…

Question 1
Three different geography books and two different history books are to be placed on a bookshelf.

i. How many arrangements are possible?

ii. In how many arrangements are the history books side by side?
iii. In how many arrangements are books on the same subject grouped together?
iv. How many arrangements have history books at the end?
v. How many arrangements have geography books at each end?

Question 2
The letters AABBC are arranged in a straight line.

i. How many arrangements are possible?

ii. In how many arrangements will the two B’s be side by side?
iii. If no two A;s are to be together, how many arrangements are possible?

Question 3
If the numbers 2,3,4,5,6 are randomly arranged to make a five digit number. What is the probability the
number is

i. An odd number less than 30,000

ii. An even number greater than 40,000

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Mutually Exclusive Events

Consider the events A and B, two mutually exclusive events.

If we were investigating the probability of either event A or event B, we would be considering the union of
the two spaces, in which we would consideration the sum of the probability of event A and the probability
of event B.

P ( A ∪ B )=P ( A ) + P(B)

So when a question asks “find the probability of event A OR event B” we would consider it as addition.

Question 1

If one card is drawn at random from a pack of 52 playing cards, what is the probability that it is a heart or
the ace of spades?

Question 2
1
The probability of having cholera is 0.2 and the probability of having dysentery is . What is the probability
9
that Bob has cholera or dysentery?

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Independent Events
Consider two independent events A and B. The probability of both events occurring can be determined
through:

P ( AB ) =P ( A ) . P(B)

Where AB is both events occurring.

Therefore, when we are required to “find the probability of event A AND event B” where A and B are
independent events, we must consider the product of the individual probabilities.

Question 7
Two dice are tossed, what is the probability of an even number with the first die and a 3 or 5 with the
second die?

Question 8
It is estimated that 85 % of students in Australia own a mobile phone

i) Two students are selected at random. What is the probability that neither of them owns a
mobile phone?
ii) Based on a recent survey, 20 % of the students who own a mobile phone have used their
mobile phone during class time. A student is selected at random. What is the probability that
the student owns a mobile phone and has used it during class time?

Question 9
The diagram shows two spinners which are spun simultaneously.

Each of the three outcomes on the first spinner are equally likely, and each of the four outcomes on the
second spinner are equally likely.

i) What is the probability that both spinners stop on the same number?
ii) What is the probability that at least one of the spinners stops on a 3?

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Homework

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