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Maths II

Probability

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Probability is about estimating how likely (probable) something is to happen. Probability can be used to predict, for example, the outcome when throwing a die or tossing a coin.

Using words to describe probabilities

We often use words to describe how probable we think it is that an event will take place. For example, we might say that it is likely to be sunny tomorrow, or that it is unlikely to snow in August.

A photo of someone filling out a lottery ticket entry.

Have a look at the statements below, and decide whether the following events are: certain, likely, even (neither likely or unlikely), unlikely or impossible.

  • You buy a lottery ticket and win the jackpot.
  • You toss a coin and get heads.
  • Christmas will fall on 25 December this year.
  • You grow another nose.
  • It will rain in the first week of December.

 

Have a think about this scenario.

Question

A game is played where 7 beads with digits from 1 to 7 on them are placed in a bag, a bead is taken out, and you then have to guess whether the number on the next one to be taken out will be higher or lower, and so on.

In each case, choose an appropriate word from the following list to complete each sentence:

  1. Certain
  2. Likely
  3. Unlikely
  4. Impossible

Remember that there is only one of each number.

  1. A number 7 in a red circle in a yellow square.

    If the 1st bead is 7, what is the chance of the 2nd bead being lower than 7?

  2. A number 1 on a red circle in a yellow square.

    If the 2nd bead is 1, what is the chance of the 3rd bead being lower than 2?

  3. A number 6 on a red circle in a yellow square.

    If the 3rd bead is 6, what is the chance of the next bead being higher than 4?

toggle answer

Answer
  • 1. The first bead is 7.
  • What is the chance of the next bead being lower than 7?
  • The numbers remaining are: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1.
  • So the chance of the 2nd bead being less than 7 is
  • certain.
  • 2. The 2nd bead is 1.
  • The numbers remaining are: 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
  • The chance of the next bead being lower than 2 is impossible.
  • 3. The 3rd bead is 6.
  • The numbers remaining are: 2, 3, 4 and 5.
  • The chance of the next bead being higher than 4 is unlikely.

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Back to Statistics index

Watch

Learning Zone Scotland

Video clip - a fairground worker talks about the probability of winning her game

Play

Tombstone Timeout

Swot up your sums with Mia Cadaver's maths game

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