Chapter 9 : Probability Chapter 9 page 1

► 9.1 Find Probability of combined events by “Listing outcomes”

1. Sample space, S is a set which contains all the possible outcomes of an experiment.
2. Event is a set of outcomes which satisfy a certain condition.

3. Probability, P(A) = where 0  P(A)  1

Example 1: (Involved one object)

1. A dice is thrown. 2. A letter is chosen at random from the word “PERODUA”

a) Write the sample space. a) Write the sample space.

b) List the element for the events and find the probability for b) List the events and find the probability of getting
i) an even number is obtained. i) a vowel.

ii) a number less than 4 is obtained.

ii) a consonant.
iii) a prime number is obtained.

Example 2 (Involved take objects from different boxes or tossed two different objects)
3. Diagram shows six labelled cards in two boxes.
One card is picked at random from box P and another card from box Q.
Tree diagram: a) List the sample space.

b) By listing the outcomes, find the probability of getting

i) a vowel and an even number.

ii) a vowel or an even number.

4. Diagram shows a coin and a disc.

The coin is tossed once and the disc is spun once.

Tree diagram: a) List the sample space.

b) By listing the outcomes, find the probability of getting

i) “Head” and “Y”

ii) “Tail” or “X”

5. A dice and a coin are tossed.

a) List the sample space.
Two ways table:

Dice 1 2 3 4 5 6
Coin
H b) By listing the outcomes, find the probability of getting
T
i) An even number and “head” are obtained.

ii) An even number or “head” are obtained.

 Chapter 9 page 2
6. Given that set P = { 1, 2, 3, 4 } and set Q = { 2, 5, 7 } . A number is drawn from each set P and set Q.

Two-ways table: By listing the outcomes, find the probability of getting

a) both numbers are odd numbers.

b) the total of both numbers is 6.

c) number 2 or number 5.

Example 3 : Involved take two objects from the same box/ repeat two times on the same object

7. Diagram shows four cards labelled with letters. All these cards are put into a box.
Two cards are picked at random from the box, one after another, without replacement.

Tree diagram: By listing the outcomes, find the probability of getting

a) the first card is consonant and second card is vowel.

b) letter “A” and “C”

c) letter “A” or “C”

8. Three number cards are in a box.

Two cards are picked at random from the box, one by one, without replacement.

Tree diagram: a) Write the sample space.

b) By listing the outcomes, find the probability of getting

i) the first cards with number 3.

ii) one card with odd number and one card with number 7.

9. Diagram shows a board which is divided into three equal sectors, A, B and C.
A pointer is fixed at the centre of the board. The pointer is spun twice.

Two-ways table: a) List the sample space.

b) By listing the outcomes, find the probability that

i) the pointer at the same sector twice.

ii) the pointer stops at sector C at least once.

► 9.2 Dependent events and Independent Events , “A and B” Chapter 9 page 3

Probability of events A and B happen, 𝑷(𝑨 ∩ 𝑩) = 𝑷(𝑨) × 𝑷(𝑩)

Examples:
One card is picked at random from box X and another card from box Y.
Verifying the conjecture about the formula of probability of getting a vowel and an even number.
Method 1: By Listing outcomes Method 2: Using Formula 𝑷(𝑨) × 𝑷(𝑩)

Conclusion:
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► A) Independent events (Outcome of event A will not affect the probability of event B)

1. A dice and a coin are tossed. Find the probability of getting

a) an even number and “head” are obtained.

b) a number less than 3 and “Tail” are obtained

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2. A card is chosen randomly from box A and box B respectively.

a) Find the probability of getting a factor of 9 and the letter “Z” .

b) Find the probability of getting a prime number and the letter “X”

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3. Box F contains seven cards labelled with letters “ P, A, M, E, R, A, N” and box G contains five cards labelled with the numbers

“ 3, 5, 6, 8, 11”. A card is chosen randomly from box F and box G respectively.

a) Find the probability of getting the letter “P” and an even number.

b) Find the probability of getting the letter vowel and a multiple of 3.

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4. A spinner with numbers 3, 4 and 6 which has equal sections is spun two times. Find the probability of getting

a) two even numbers.

b) even number in the first spin and an odd number in the second spin

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5. Table shows the probabilities that John and Ramli choose Law or Science courses after receiving their SPM result.
Find the probability that
Student Probability of choosing
Law Science a) John choose Science and Ramli choose Law
John 2 3
3 7 b) Both of them choose Law.
Ramli 5 1
9 2 c) Both of them choose the same course.

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5. A box that contains 2 blue marbles and 4 red marbles.
Two marbles are chosen at random from the box, one by one, with replacement.
a) Complete the tree diagram given.
b) Find the probability of getting
i) both the balls are blue.

ii) first ball is red and second ball is blue.

iii) both the balls are in the same colour.

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6. The probability that Ali and Muthu winning a Mathematics quiz is and respectively.
4 5
a) Complete the tree diagram given.
b) Find the probability of getting
i) both of them win the quiz

ii) both of them loses the quiz

iii) Ali win but Muthu loses

iv) only one of them wins the quiz

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► B) Dependent events (Outcome of event A will affect the probability of event B)
1. A bag contains 3 green balls and 2 yellow balls.
Two balls are picked at random from the bag, without replacement.
a) Complete the tree diagram given.
b) Find the probability of getting
i) both balls are green.

ii) first ball is green and second ball is yellow.

iv) both balls are in the same colour

v) both balls are in different colour

vi) at least one ball is green colour

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2. Two students are chosen at random from a group of 6 boys and 3 girls to duty in a basketball competition.
a) Complete the tree diagram given.
b) Find the probability of getting
i) both students are boys

ii) both of them are the same gender

iii) only one of them is girl

iv) at least one is boy

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3. A box contains 12 vanilla cakes and 8 chocolate cakes.
Justin chooses two cakes at random from the box.
a) Complete the tree diagram given.
b) Calculate the probability that
i) both cakes chosen are vanilla cakes

ii) both cakes chosen have the same flavour.

ii) both cakes chosen have different flavour.

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4. There are nine letter cards are put into a box. Two cards are drawn at random from the box. Find the probability of getting

a) both the cards are A.

b) both the cards are not A

c) first ball is A and the second card is not A.

5. Table shows the number of students in class A, B and C.
Class Boys Girls
a) If two students are chosen from the group, find the probability of getting both students are girls.
A 3 5
b) If two students are chosen from class B, find the probability of getting both students B 2 7
with different gender C 4 6
c) If two students are chosen from boys, find the probability of getting both students are from the same class.
a) b) c)

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- Society Boys Girls
6. Table shows the number of students in three different societies. Maths 3 5
Geography 8 4
a) If two students are chosen from the group, find the probability of getting
English 1 3
both of them are members of Maths Society.
b) If two students are chosen from Geography society, find the probability of getting both are girls.
c) If two students are chosen from the girls, find the probability of getting both of them are from the same society.
a) b) c)

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More example of independent and dependent events:

1. Determine whether each of the following events is dependent event or independent event.
a) Ahmad tosses a dice and a coin. The result on the dice and the coin are recorded.
b) A box contains 5 pencils and 3 erasers. Two objects are taken at random without
returning the first object to the box.
c) A fair coin is tossed twice, and the result is recorded.
d) Two balls are chosen at random from a box without replacement.
e) A pointer on the lucky draw wheel is spun and the result is recorded. Then, the pointer
is spun again.
f) There are 4 blue balls and 6 red balls in a box. A ball is chosen and the colour is
recorded. After that, the ball is returned to the box before the second ball is chosen.
g) Two students are chosen at random from class 4T1 to duty during recess time.

2. A box contains three yellow balls, five red balls and a black ball.
Two balls are chosen, one by one, at random from the box.
If the first ball is yellow, the yellow ball is then returned to the box
before the second ball is chosen.
If the first marble is not yellow, the first ball is not returned to the box
before the second ball is chosen.
a) Complete the tree diagram given.

b) Calculate the probability that

i) both balls chosen are of the same colour.

ii) one ball is red and one ball is yellow.

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3. Jason, Dolly and Suzy are going to sit for a piano test at the same time.
1 3 4
The probability of Jason, Dolly and Suzy passing the test are , and respectively. Calculate the probability that
7 4 5
a) three of them pass the test

b) three of them fail the test

c) one of them pass the test.

d) two of them pass the test

 3 3 43 79
Ans: a) 𝑏) c) 𝑑)
35 70 140 140

4. A box contains three red balls and seven blue balls. Three balls are chosen at random, one after another, without replacement.
Calculate the probability of getting
a) three blue balls

b) three red balls

c) two blue balls and one red ball

1 7 7
Ans: a) 𝑏) c)
120 24 40

5
5. Jason rides motorcycle or drives car to the school. The probability that he rides motorcycle to office is . If Jason rides the
7
1 1
motorcycle, the probability that he is late to school is . If Jason drives the car, the probability that he is late to school is .
6 4
Calculate the probability that
a) Jason drives the car and is not late to school.

b) Jason is late to his school.

3 4
__________________________________________________________________________________________ Ans: a) 𝑏)
14 21
6. Adam and Jun Xin compete in a tennis tournament. A player who wins the first two sets will win the tennis tournament.
4
The probability of Adam winning any one set is . Calculate the probability that
9
a) the tennis tournament ends in two sets only

b) Jun Xin win the tennis tournament after completing three sets.

41 200
__________________________________________________________________________________________Ans: a ) 𝑏)
81 729
7. Each customer will be given a chance to spin the lucky wheel that has six equal sectors. Two of the sectors are red and the rest
are yellow. If the pointer of the lucky wheel stops at the red sector, the customer has a chance to take a cash voucher from box A.
If the pointer of the lucky wheel stops at the yellow sector, the customer has a chance to take a cash voucher from box B.
The table shows the number of vouchers in box A and box B.
Box Number of vouchers
a) Calculate the probability that a customer gets RM10 vouchers. RM50 RM10
b) If there are 450 customers take part in the lucky draw, A 20 5
B 10 20
how many of them able to get RM10 vouchers?

23
Ans: a) 𝑏) 230
45
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8. The probability that a student in a class wearing spectacle is 0.4. Three students are chosen at random from the class.
Find the probability that
a) three of them wear spectacle
b) only one of them wear spectacle
c) at least one wear spectacle

______________________________________________________________________________Ans: a) 0.064 b) 0.432 c) 0.784

1 3 2
9. The probability that Esther passes Biology, Chemistry and Physics are , and respectively. Find the probability that she
5 4 3
passes
a) Chemistry only
b) all subjects
c) at least one subject
 1 1 14
Ans: a) 𝑏) c)
5 10 15
► 9.3 Mutually Excusive Events and Non-Mutually Exclusive Events, “A or B” Chapter 9 page 7

Mutually Excusive Events Non-Mutually Exclusive Events

𝐴∩𝐵 =∅

A and B cannot happen at the same time. P(A∩B) = 0 A and B can happen at the same time.
Probability of A or B happen is
Probability of A or B happen is
P(A∪B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A∩B)
P(A∪B) = P(A) + P(B)
Example:
Example: 2. An integer is chosen from 1 to 12. Find the probability of
1. An integer is chosen from 1 to 12. Find the probability of getting an even number or a prime number.
getting an odd number or a multiple of 4.

3. A letter is chosen from a box contains seven letters 4. A letter is chosen from a box contains seven letters
B, A, H, A, G, I, A. Find the probability of getting B, A, H, A, G, I, A. Find the probability of getting
a consonant or a letter “I”. a vowel or a letter “I”.

5. A bag contains 4 red balls, 3 blue balls and 2 yellow balls.

6. A group of 20 students, 12 students like apple, 9 students
If a ball is chosen at random, find the probability of getting likes banana and 7 students like both apple and banana. If
a) a red ball or a blue ball a student is chosen at random, find the probability of
b) a yellow ball or a blue ball getting a student like apple or banana.

More example:
1. A fair dice is tossed. Determine whether the following events is mutually exclusive or non-mutually exclusive.
a) Event A is event of getting an even number. Event B is event of getting an odd number.
b) Event P is event of getting a prime number. Event R is event of getting a multiple of 2.

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2. A box contains ten balls labelled with the numbers 11 to 20. A ball is picked at random from the box.
Verify the addition rule of probability for each of the following combined events.
a) Obtaining a prime number or a number smaller than 18.
b) Obtaining a prime number or an even number
Answer:
a) b)
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3. The probabilities that Ali and Muthu eat laksa are and respectively. Chapter 9 page 8
7 5

a) Calculate the probability that Ali and Muthu eat laksa.

b) Complete the Venn diagram given to represent the relationship between the
probability of Ali eat laksa (A) and the probability of Muthu eat laksa (M).

c) Calculate the probability that Ali or Muthu eats laksa.

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4 1
4. The probabilities of Anson travelling to Pulau Langkawi (L) and Pulau Tioman (T) are and respectively
9 3
a) Calculate the probability of Anson travelling to both islands.
b) Complete the Venn Diagram given.
c) Calculate the probability of Anson travelling to Pulau Langkawi or Pulau Tioman.
d) Calculate the probability of Anson not travelling to Pulau Langkawi or Pulau Tioman.

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5. In a football match between Jaya Club and Maju Club, the probability of Jaya Club
1 3
winning the match is while the probability of Maju Club winning the match is .
3 5
a) Complete the Venn diagram given.
b) Calculate the probability that
i) Jaya Club or Maju Club win the match.
ii) the result of the match is a draw.

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6. An integer is chosen from 1 to 30. Find the probability of getting
a) a multiple of 5 or a multiple of 7 b) an odd number or a multiple of 5

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7. A card is chosen at random from box K and box L.
By listing all the possible outcomes, calculate the probability of getting
letter “S” or multiple of 3.

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8. A box contains five cards with letters “B, A, K, U”. Two cards are chosen at random, one by one, without replacement.
By listing all the possible outcomes, calculate the probability of getting one of the cards is letter “B” or letter “A”.
 1 4
Ans: a) 𝑏) 15
5
SPM Practice Chapter 9 Probability Chapter 9 page 9
1. Diagram shows nine cards in container X and container Y. A card is picked at random from each of the
containers. By listing the outcomes, find the probability that
(a) both cards are labelled with a letter,
(b) one card is labelled with a number and the other card is labelled with a letter.
(c) both cards are labelled with even number

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2. The following shows a disc with a fixed pointer and four equal sectors. The box contains three cash
vouchers. A lucky customer in a shop is given a chance to spin the disc once and then draw a cash
voucher from the box.
a) Complete the tree diagram given.
b) By listing outcomes, find the probability that
i) the customer wins a cash voucher worth less than RM 30
ii) the customer wins a sport shoe or the cash voucher worth RM 35
a)
Disc Box
RM 15 RM 25 RM 35
Shirt (K) ( K, 15)
Bag (B)
Shoe (S)
Sport shoe (P)
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3. A group of 8 girls and 6 boys take part in a study on the type of flowers found in the botanical garden. Each day,
two pupils are chosen at random to write a report.
a) Calculate the probability that pupils chosen to write the report on the first day are girls.

b) The two girls who wrote the report on the first day are exempted from writing the report on the second day.
Find the probability that pupils chosen to write the report on the second day are of the same gender.

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. Table shows the prefect who are assigned on Monday morning.
Boy Adam, Banaj, Chong
Two prefects are chosen at random to guard the school entry.
(a) List all the possible outcomes of the event for this sample space. Girl Dini, Ellen
(b) By listing down all the possible outcomes of the event, calculate the probability that
(i) the prefects chosen are of different gender.
(ii) Banaj or Ellen are not assigned because both are not feeling well on Monday morning.

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5. A bar chart shows the number of primary schools and secondary
Schools in town A, B , C and D.
A primary school and a secondary school are selected randomly from
the four towns. Find probability that
a) both schools are selected from Town B.
b) the primary school from Town A and the secondary school
from town C

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6. In an IQ test, there are three categories of questions consisting of 4 questions on History, 5 questions on Mathematics
and 6 questions on Science. Each question is placed inside an envelope. All the envelopes are similar and are put inside
a box. All the participants of the test are requested to pick at random two envelopes from the box. Find the probability that
the first participant picks
a) the first envelope with a question on History and the second envelope with a question on Science.
b) two envelopes with questions of the same category.