Probability
❶ Experiments
❷ Random Experiments
❸ Sample space
❹ Event
❺ Assignment
Experiment
An Experiment is any action or operation which results in one or more
outcomes.
When we repeat an experiment several times, we call each one of
them a trial.
❶ Deterministic Experiment
In our day to day life, we perform many activities which have a fixed
result no matter any number of times they are repeated.
Examples :
Activities Outcomes
Cooling water below 0oC It will freeze.
Throwing a ball in the sky It will fall down.
Such experiments are called Deterministic Experiments.
❷ Random Experiment
We also perform many experimental activities, where the result may
not be same, when they are repeated under identical conditions.
Examples :
Activities Outcomes
Tossing an unbiased coin { H, T }
Throwing an unbiased die {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
When a coin is tossed it may turn up a head or a tail, but we are not
sure which one of these results will actually be obtained. Such
experiments are called Random Experiments.
Probability is the study of these Random Experiments.
Sample Space
The set of all possible outcomes of a random experiment is called the
sample space associated with the experiment. Sample space is denoted
by the symbol S.
Each element of the sample space is called a sample point.
Examples :
① A coin is tossed once. Describe the sample space.
Since either coin can turn up Head H or Tail T , the possible outcomes
may be
S={H,T}
n(sample points)= 21 = 2
② Two coins are tossed simultaneously once. Describe the sample space.
Since either coin can turn up Head H or Tail T , the possible outcomes
may be
S = { HH , HT, TH, TT }
n(sample points)= 22 = 4
③ A coin is tossed twice. Describe the sample space.
Since either coin can turn up Head H or Tail T , the possible outcomes
may be
S = { HH , HT, TH, TT }
n(sample points)= 22 = 4
④ Three coins are tossed simultaneously once. Describe the sample
space.
Since either coin can turn up Head H or Tail T , the possible outcomes
may be
S = { HHH , HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT, TTT }
n(sample points)= 23 = 8
⑤ A coin is tossed thrice. Describe the sample space.
Since either coin can turn up Head H or Tail T , the possible outcomes
may be
S = { HHH , HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT, TTT }
n(sample points)= 23 = 8
⑥ A die is rolled once. Describe the sample space.
The outcomes of this experiment are
n(sample points)= 61 = 6
S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
⑦ Two dice are rolled simultaneously once. Describe the sample space.
The outcomes of this experiment are
n(sample points)= 62 = 36
⑧ A die is rolled twice. Describe the sample space.
The outcomes of this experiment are
n(sample points)= 62 = 36
One die of red colour, one of green colour and one of blue colour are
placed in a bag. One die is selected at random and rolled, its colour
and the number on its uppermost face is noted. Describe the sample
space.
A die has six faces that are numbered from 1 to 6, with one number
on each face.
Let us denote the red, green, and blue dices as R, G, and B
respectively.
Accordingly, when a die is selected and then rolled, the sample
space is given by
{ R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 }
2 boys and 2 girls are in Room X, and 1 boy and 3 girls in Room Y.
Specify the sample space for the experiment in which a room is
selected and then a person.
Let us denote 2 boys and 2 girls in room X as B1, B2 and G1, G2
respectively.
Let us denote 1 boy and 3 girls in room Y as B3 and G3, G4, G5
respectively.
Accordingly, the required sample space is given by
S = { XB1, XB2, XG1, XG2, YB3, YG3, YG4, YG5 }
A box contains 1 red and 3 identical black balls. Two balls are drawn
at random in succession without replacement. Write the sample
space for this experiment.
It is given that the box contains 1 red ball and 3 identical
white balls.
Let us denote the red ball with R and a white ball with B.
When two balls are drawn at random in succession
without replacement, the sample space is given by
S = {RB, BR, BB }
A coin is tossed. If it shows a tail, we draw a ball from a box which
contains 2 red and 3 blue balls. If it shows head, we throw a die.
Find the sample space for this experiment.
The box contains 2 red balls and 3 black balls. Let us denote the 2 red
balls as R1 , R2 and the 3 black balls as B1, B2, and B3 .
The sample space of this experiment is given by
S = { TR1, TR2, TB1, TB2, TB3, H1, H2, H3 , H4 , H5 , H6 }
Suppose 3 bulbs are selected at random from a lot. Each bulb is
tested and classified as defective D or non-defective N. Write the
sample space of this experiment?
The sample space of this experiment is given by
S = { DDD, DDN, DND, NDD, NND, NDN, DNN, NNN }
Consider the experiment in which a coin is tossed repeatedly until a
head comes up. Describe the sample space.
The sample space of this experiment is given by
S = { H, TH, TTH, TTTH, ….}
Q.1 A coin is tossed four times. Describe the sample space.
Q.2 A die is rolled three times. Find number of sample points in the
sample space.
Q.3 A bag contains 5 discs of which 2 are red and 3 are blue. The discs are
similar in shape and size. A disc is drawn at random from the bag.
Describe the sample space.
Q.4 A person is noting down the number of accidents along a busy
highway during a year. Describe the sample space.
Q.5 A coin is tossed and a die is rolled. Describe the sample space.
Q.6 Suppose 2 pens are selected at random from a lot. Each pen is tested
and classified as defective D or non – defective N. Describe the sample
space.
9
96
3
56
75
