Probability Discussion Quiz

Write the missing words in each statement. The ________ is the list of all possible outcomes in an experiment.

• sample space

• event

• probability

• outcome

Answer explanation

The sample space is the complete set of all possible outcomes in an experiment. It is essential for understanding probability, as it defines the context for events and outcomes.

Write the missing words in each statement. An ________ is a collection of the outcomes from an experiment.

• event

• variable

• hypothesis

• sample

Answer explanation

An event is defined as a collection of outcomes from an experiment, making it the correct choice. A variable refers to a characteristic that can change, a hypothesis is a proposed explanation, and a sample is a subset of a population.

Write the missing words in each statement. An event with probability of 0.5 has ________ or 50 : 50 chance of occurring.

• even chance

• certain chance

• unlikely chance

• impossible chance

Answer explanation

An event with a probability of 0.5 indicates an equal likelihood of occurring or not occurring, which is referred to as an 'even chance'. This means there is a 50:50 chance of the event happening.

Write the missing words in each statement. The ________ of an event, A, is the event where A does not occur.

• complement

• sum

• product

• difference

Answer explanation

The complement of an event A refers to the scenario where A does not happen. Therefore, the correct term to fill in the blank is 'complement', as it accurately describes this relationship.

Order the following chances from lowest to highest: 0.7, 2/5, 0.9, 1/3, 2 in 3, 3/7, 1 in 4, 0.28, 2/9, 0.15.

• 0.15, 2/9, 0.28, 1 in 4, 1/3, 3/7, 2/5, 0.7, 2 in 3, 0.9

• 0.15, 0.28, 2/9, 1/4, 1/3, 3/7, 2/5, 0.7, 2/3, 0.9

• 0.15, 0.28, 2/9, 1/4, 1/3, 3/7, 2/5, 2/3, 0.7, 0.9

• 0.15, 0.28, 2/9, 1/4, 1/3, 3/7, 2/5, 0.7, 0.9, 2/3

Answer explanation

To order the chances, convert all values to decimals: 0.15, 0.28, 0.222 (2/9), 0.25 (1/4), 0.333 (1/3), 0.429 (3/7), 0.4 (2/5), 0.7, 0.667 (2 in 3), 0.9. The correct order is: 0.15, 0.28, 2/9, 1/4, 1/3, 3/7, 2/5, 0.7, 2 in 3, 0.9.

This spinner has seven equally divided sections. Find P(not a 1).

• 1/7

• 5/7

• 4/7

• 6/7

Answer explanation

The spinner has 7 sections, with only 1 section labeled '1'. Therefore, the probability of not landing on '1' is the number of non-'1' sections (6) divided by the total sections (7), giving P(not a 1) = 6/7.

A letter is chosen from the word EXPERIMENT. What is the probability of P(consonant)?

• 3/10

• 5/10

• 4/10

• 6/10

Answer explanation

The word EXPERIMENT has 10 letters: 6 consonants (X, P, R, M, N, T) and 4 vowels (E, E, I, E). The probability of choosing a consonant is 6 consonants out of 10 total letters, which simplifies to 6/10.

A letter is chosen at random from the word ALPHABET. Find the probability of P(A or Z).

• 1/4

• 1/8

• 1/2

• 1/3

Answer explanation

The word ALPHABET has 8 letters. The letter A appears twice, and Z does not appear at all. Add the probabilities of choosing A or Z. P(A) = 2/8 = 1/4 and P(Z) = 0. Thus, P(A or Z) = 1/4 + 0 = 1/4.

The school captain is to be chosen at random from four candidates: Hayley, Alisa, Rocco, and Stuart. List the sample space.

• Hayley, Alisa, Rocco, Stuart

• Hayley, Alisa, Rocco

• Alisa, Rocco, Stuart

• Hayley, Stuart

Answer explanation

The sample space includes all possible candidates for the school captain. Since there are four candidates: Hayley, Alisa, Rocco, and Stuart, the correct answer is Hayley, Alisa, Rocco, Stuart.

A card is drawn at random from a pack of 52 playing cards. What is the probability that the selected card will be a jack or a queen?

• 1/13

• 2/13

• 1/26

• 1/52

Answer explanation

There are 4 jacks and 4 queens in a deck of 52 cards. The total favorable outcomes are 4 + 4 = 8. Thus, the probability is 8/52, which simplifies to 2/13. Therefore, the correct answer is 2/13.