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Probability is the chance that something will happen - how likely it is that some event will
happen.
Sometimes you can measure a probability with a number like "10% chance of rain", or you can use words
such as impossible, unlikely, possible, even chance, likely and certain.
Example
Tossing Coin
When a coin is tossed, there are two possible outcomes:
heads (H)
tails (T)
Across
1. the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
2. the way a thing turns out
Down
1. a possibility of something happening
2. the state or fact of something's being likely
3. a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or
something.
4. known for sure
5. a thing that happens, especially one of importance
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Each of the letters of the word MISSISSIPPI are written on separate pieces of paper that are then folded, put in a hat, and mixed thoroughly. One
piece of paper is chosen (without looking) from the hat. What is the probability it is an I?
a) 4/11 c) 1/3
b) 2/5 d) 1/4
2. A fair coin is tossed three times. What is the probability of obtaining one Head and two Tails? (A fair coin is one that is not loaded, so there is an
equal chance of it landing Heads up or Tails up.)
a) 1/4 c) 3/8
b) 1/3 d) 5/8
3. A committee of three is chosen from five councilors - Adams, Burke, Cobb, Dilby and Evans. What is the probability Burke is on the committee?
a) 1/5 c) 1/2
b) 2/5 d) 3/5
4. There are 10 counters in a bag: 3 are red, 2 are blue and 5 are green. The contents of the bag are shaken before Maxine randomly chooses one
counter from the bag. What is the probability that she doesn't pick a red counter?
a) 3/10 c) 3/7
b) 2/5 d) 7/10
5. A die is thrown once. What is the probability that the score is a factor of 6?
a) 1/6 c) 2/3
b) 1/2 d) 1
ANSWER KEY
Word Search C O M P L E L I K E L I H O O D s c b N
F S d R l O c A t c h l I k E L i h o O
G r L t C p m s i l Y h O o D N m b c d
C c h a n s e s C T S T N E V E S j r T
S y p r t o d g I y n t K C V C m t s N
R t r e E r c L T h n r L E O m L M j E
L l g W C l I a i r n s N l M c h A n M
I R s p N B s a b t r L t r C O m H d E
K r t c A r l r L l j l S s F p C o n L
E p s B H s c t L S r s T s R n m T l P
C l o r C E n i A t r e C e R s r c U M
E R Q x e n a k c t n e M i L p m o c O
P S F R S D G J B A R E N M M l r s c C
Crossword
Across
1. Probability
2. Outcome
Down
1. Chance
2. Likelihood
3. Trial
4. Certain
5. Event
1.
There are 4 I's in the word MISSISSIPPI, so the Number of ways it can happen = 4
There are 11 letters altogether in the word MISSISSIPPI, so the Total number of outcomes = 11
2.
So:
The Number of ways it can happen = 3
The Total number of outcomes = 8
3.
Abbreviate the names of the five councilors with the letters A, B, C, D and E.
There are 10 possible committees: (A, B, C), (A, B, D), (A, B, E), (A, C, D), (A, C, E), (A, D, E), (B, C, D), (B, C, E), (B, D, E) and (C, D, E)
Of these, Burke is included in 6: (A, B, C), (A, B, D), (A, B, E), (B, C, D), (B, C, E) and (B, D, E)
So:
The Number of ways it can happen = 6
The Total number of outcomes = 10
4.
There are 7 counters that are not red: 2 blue and 5 green
The factors of six are 1, 2, 3 and 6, so the Number of ways it can happen = 4
There are six possible scores when a die is thrown, so the Total number of outcomes = 6