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Experiments in Probability



In the study of probability, an experiment is a process or investigation from which results are observed or recorded.

An outcome is a possible result of an experiment.

A sample space is the set of all possible outcomes in the experiment. It is usually denoted by the letter S . Sample space can be written using the set notation, { }.


Experiment 1 : Tossing a coin

Possible outcomes are head or tail.

Sample space, S = {head, tail}.


Experiment 2: Tossing a die

Possible outcomes are the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

Sample space, S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.


Experiment 3: Picking a card

In an experiment, a card is picked from a stack of six cards, which spell the word PASCAL.

Possible outcomes are P, A 1, S, C, A 2 and L.

Sample space, S = {P, A 1, S, C, A 2 L}. There are 2 cards with the letter ‘A’


Experiment 4 : Picking 2 marbles, one at a time, from a bag that contains many blue and red marbles.

Possible outcomes are: (Blue, Blue), (Blue, Red), (Red, Blue) and (Red, Red).

Sample space, S = {(B,B), (B,R), (R,B), (R,R)}.


Lesson on Finding Probability and Sample Space



Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.
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