The probability scale
The chances of any event can be shown on a probability scale from 0 to 1.
- A probability of 0 tells us that the event will never happen - it's impossible
- A probability of 1 tells us that the event is certain to happen
- A probability of
tells us that the event has an even chance of happening
Unlikely events are closer to 0 and likely events are closer to 1.
Here is a list of events. Some are likely, some are not likely. (Do you agree?)
| Unlikely | | Likely |
| You will win the lottery. | | You will not win the lottery. |
| You will meet someone today with the same birthday as you. | | You will see a double-decker bus in London. |
| It will rain for a month without stopping. | | It will snow at least once next winter. |
Here is the probability scale again with the events added.
