Probability - Sixth Grade
Complete Notes & Formulas
1. Sample Spaces of Simple Events
Definition
Sample Space (S) is the set of ALL POSSIBLE OUTCOMES
of a random experiment
• Written in curly braces { }
• Lists every possible result
Examples of Sample Spaces
Experiment | Sample Space | Size |
---|---|---|
Flip a coin | {H, T} | 2 |
Roll a die | {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} | 6 |
Pick a card suit | {♠, ♥, ♦, ♣} | 4 |
Spin spinner (A, B, C) | {A, B, C} | 3 |
What is an Event?
Event: A subset of the sample space
Example: Rolling an even number = {2, 4, 6}
2. Fundamental Counting Principle
Definition
If one event can occur in m ways
and another event can occur in n ways,
then BOTH events can occur in m × n ways
Formula
Total Outcomes = n₁ × n₂ × n₃ × ...
n₁ = number of ways for first event
n₂ = number of ways for second event
and so on...
Example 1: Simple
Problem: A restaurant offers 3 types of sandwiches and 4 types of drinks. How many meal combinations?
Sandwiches: 3 choices
Drinks: 4 choices
Total combinations = 3 × 4 = 12
Answer: 12 different meal combinations
Example 2: Multiple Events
Problem: Flip a coin AND roll a die. How many outcomes?
Coin: 2 outcomes (H, T)
Die: 6 outcomes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Total outcomes = 2 × 6 = 12
Answer: 12 total outcomes
3. Probability of One Event
Definition
Probability measures the LIKELIHOOD
that an event will occur
• Probability is always between 0 and 1
• Can be written as fraction, decimal, or percent
Formula
P(A) = n(A) ÷ n(S)
or
P(Event) = Favorable Outcomes ÷ Total Outcomes
Probability Scale
P = 0: Impossible (will NEVER happen)
P = 0.5: Equally likely (50-50 chance)
P = 1: Certain (will ALWAYS happen)
Example
Problem: What is the probability of rolling a 4 on a fair die?
Favorable outcomes: 1 (only the number 4)
Total outcomes: 6 (numbers 1-6)
P(4) = 1/6 ≈ 0.167 or 16.7%
Answer: 1/6 or about 17%
4. Making Predictions with Probability
Definition
Use probability to predict
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
when an experiment is repeated many times
Prediction Formula
Expected = Probability × Number of Trials
or
E = P × n
Example 1
Problem: If you flip a coin 100 times, how many times would you expect to get heads?
P(Heads) = 1/2 = 0.5
Number of flips = 100
Expected heads = 0.5 × 100 = 50
Answer: Expect about 50 heads
Example 2
Problem: If you roll a die 60 times, how many times would you expect to roll a 5?
P(5) = 1/6 ≈ 0.167
Number of rolls = 60
Expected 5's = (1/6) × 60 = 10
Answer: Expect about 10 times
5. Complementary (Opposite) Events
Definition
Complementary events are OPPOSITE events
If one event happens, the other CANNOT happen
• Notation: A' or Aͨ (read as "A complement")
• Together they cover ALL possible outcomes
Formula
P(A) + P(A') = 1
or
P(A') = 1 − P(A)
Examples of Complementary Events
Event A | Complement A' |
---|---|
Rolling an even number | Rolling an odd number |
Getting heads | Getting tails |
Drawing a red card | Drawing a black card |
Passing an exam | Not passing an exam |
Example Problem
Problem: The probability of rain tomorrow is 0.3. What is the probability of NO rain?
P(Rain) = 0.3
P(No Rain) = 1 − P(Rain)
P(No Rain) = 1 − 0.3
P(No Rain) = 0.7 or 70%
Answer: 0.7 or 70% chance of no rain
Quick Reference: All Probability Formulas
Concept | Formula |
---|---|
Probability of Event | P(A) = Favorable ÷ Total |
Counting Principle | Total = n₁ × n₂ × n₃ × ... |
Prediction | Expected = P × n |
Complement | P(A') = 1 − P(A) |
Sum of Complements | P(A) + P(A') = 1 |
💡 Important Tips to Remember
✓ Sample space = ALL possible outcomes in { }
✓ Counting principle: MULTIPLY to find total outcomes
✓ Probability formula: P(A) = Favorable ÷ Total
✓ Probability range: Always 0 ≤ P ≤ 1
✓ P = 0 means impossible, P = 1 means certain
✓ Predictions: Expected = Probability × Number of trials
✓ Complementary events: P(A) + P(A') = 1
✓ Complement formula: P(not A) = 1 − P(A)
✓ Simplify fractions in probability answers
✓ Can write probabilities as fractions, decimals, or percents
🧠 Memory Tricks & Strategies
Sample Space:
"Sample Space is the SET, of outcomes we can get!"
Counting Principle:
"When events are combined, just MULTIPLY - that's how you find all outcomes nearby!"
Probability:
"What you WANT over what you've GOT - favorable over total, that's the plot!"
Predictions:
"Probability times trials, gives expected - predictions made, well connected!"
Complement:
"One minus P(A) gives P(A prime) - the opposite event, working just fine!"
P = 0 or P = 1:
"Zero is NEVER, One is SURE - probabilities in between are less secure!"
Master Probability! 🎲 🎯 📊
Remember: Probability helps us predict the future with math!