Difference between revisions of "Probability"
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| − | The '''probability''' of an event is | + | The '''probability''' of an event is a number between 0 (representing impossibility), and 1 (representing certainty) and may be expressed as a simple fraction, decimal fraction or percentage. When there is a finite number of equally likely outcomes then the probability of an event is given by <math>\frac{\mbox{number of favourable outcomes}}{\mbox{number of possible outcomes}}</math>. |
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| + | For example, The probability of a tossed fair coin coming up heads is ½ = 0.5 = 50% because there is one favourable outcome (heads) out of 2 possible outcomes (heads and tails). | ||
With a standard deck of 52 [[playing card]]s, there are 13 cards in each suit: spades, hearts, clubs and diamonds. After you shuffle the cards thoroughly, what is the probability that the top card on the deck is a heart? 13 / 52 = 1 / 4 = 0.25 or 25 percent. | With a standard deck of 52 [[playing card]]s, there are 13 cards in each suit: spades, hearts, clubs and diamonds. After you shuffle the cards thoroughly, what is the probability that the top card on the deck is a heart? 13 / 52 = 1 / 4 = 0.25 or 25 percent. | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 15:37, December 2, 2007
The probability of an event is a number between 0 (representing impossibility), and 1 (representing certainty) and may be expressed as a simple fraction, decimal fraction or percentage. When there is a finite number of equally likely outcomes then the probability of an event is given by <math>\frac{\mbox{number of favourable outcomes}}{\mbox{number of possible outcomes}}</math>.
For example, The probability of a tossed fair coin coming up heads is ½ = 0.5 = 50% because there is one favourable outcome (heads) out of 2 possible outcomes (heads and tails).
With a standard deck of 52 playing cards, there are 13 cards in each suit: spades, hearts, clubs and diamonds. After you shuffle the cards thoroughly, what is the probability that the top card on the deck is a heart? 13 / 52 = 1 / 4 = 0.25 or 25 percent.