Basic Rules of Probability

Basic Rules of Probability

Objectives:

Determine if events are mutually exclusive.
Use probability rules to determine the probability of an event.
Use a Venn diagram to determine probability of an event.

Vocabulary:

mutually exclusive

If events are mutually exclusive

Possible Classroom Examples:

Determine if the following events mutually exclusive.

E is the event of “being a doctor” and F is the event of “being a women”
E is the event of “being single” and F is the event of “being married”
E is the event of “being a plumber” and F is the event of “being a stamp collector”

Find the probability of each of the following:

a jack and a heart
a jack or a heart
not a jack of hearts
above a jack
below a three
both above a jack and below a three
either above a jack or below a three

not a face card
above a five
below a jack

If , the find

Find the probability that the sum when a pair of dice is rolled is:

8 or 10
even and less than 5
even or less than 5

Alex is taking two courses, algebra and U. S. history. Student records indicate that the probability of passing algebra is .35, that of failing U. S. history is .35, and that of passing at least one of the two courses is .80. Find the probability that

Alex will pass history
Alex will pass both courses
Alex will fail both courses
Alex will pass exactly one course

Picture of a Standard Deck of Playing Cards
Hearts – Red	Diamonds – Red
Clubs – Black	Spades – Black

Sample Space of Rolling a Pair of Dice
sample space for rolling two dice

sample space for rolling two dice

© 2007 Elizabeth E. K. Jones and the ASU Department of Mathematics and Statistics - All rights reserved.