Determining Outcomes

of an experiment by
systematic listing
Grade 8
Tossing Coins!
Objective:
To understand how to systematically list all possible outcomes of an

experiment.

Procedure:
● Group yourselves into 3.
● Get one coin (if you have one)and one sheet of paper for each groups.
● Now, consider tossing each of the groups coins together.
● Start listing all the possible outcomes systematically. Write it on the paper

Question: Answer at the back of the paper

Did you encounter any challenges while determining the outcomes? How did you
overcome them?
 In today's lesson,
we will ...
Accurately identify all the possible outcomes in an
experiment using systematic listing,and

Correctly solved problem involving outcomes in an

experiment using systematic listing.
 Systematic listing

An arrangement of information listed in an organized or systematic way

such that none of the possible outcomes will be missed.

Example:

List all the possible combinations when two coins are tossed.
 Solution:

We know that there is a possibility that the results for both coins are head,
so we will list the first set of outcomes as (head, head). The second coin
could be changed to a tail, so the next possible outcome would be (head,
tail).

Example:
Repeating the process, we have,
(head, head)
(head, tail)
(tail, head)
(tail, tail)
Example 1: Find the number of outcomes that
will result from tossing three coins
simultaneously
Example 1: Find the number of outcomes that will result

from tossing three coins simultaneously.

Solution:
As previously discussed, you can either make a table or tree diagram to solve
this problem. Sometimes, it is easier to list the total possible outcomes in a
given experiment.

You can start by either head, head, head or tail, tail, tail. It is easier and
systematic to change the rightmost parts first.
Solution:
head, head, head tail, tail, tail

head, head, tail tail, tail, head Therefore, there are 8 total possible
outcomes when you throw three coins
head, tail, head tail, head, tail simultaneously.

head, tail, tail tail, head, head

 Example 2: List the number of 3-digit
numbers that can be written using the
numbers 1, 2, and 3 if repetition of numbers
is allowed.
Example 1: Find the number of outcomes that will
result from tossing three coins simultaneously.

Solution:

To systematically list all the 3-digit numbers, start

with the smallest number and change from the
rightmost.
Solution:
111 211 311

112 212 312

Thus, there are 27

113 213 313
possible
combinations which
121 221 331

122 222 321

are given above.
123 223 322 131 231 331

132 232 332

133 233 333

 Individual Practice

1. Anna, Camille, Jessica, Romeo, and John are vying for the president and vice
president of the class. If the adviser wants to have a president and a vice-
president of two different sexes, list all the possible combinations for the
positions.
Thank you!