Compound

Probability

Notes
 Simple vs. Compound Events
Simple Event: an event in which there is only one set of
outcomes. (ex: flipping a coin)

Compound Event: an event made of 2 or more simple

events. (ex: flipping a coin and then rolling a cube)

Ex: Sarah flips a coin two times. What is the probability that it
will land on heads both times?
Possibilities: (H,H), (H,T), (T,H), (T,T)

P(Event) = Favorable Outcomes = 1

Total Possible Outcomes 4
 Calculating Probability of Compound Events
Sample Space: The total number of possible outcomes for
compound events
To determine the sample space, you can use a Tree Diagram,
Table, or write out all the possible configurations
Ex: Cedric rolls a number cube once, and flips a coin once.
1. Create a tree diagram to show the sample space.
2. What is the probability that it will land on 1 and heads?
1 favorable possibility (1, H)
12 total possibilities
P(1,H) = 1/12
3. What is the probability that it will land on an even number
and tails?
3/12 or 1/4
 Try It
Jorge spins the colored spinner on the left two times.
Create a tree diagram to model his possible outcomes.
1.  What is the probability that it will land on blue both times?
2. What is the probability that it will land on green and purple?
3. What is the probability that it will not land on green?
4. What is the probability that it will land on purple at least
once?

P G O B
1.  1/16
P P,P P,G P,O P,B
2.  2/16 or 1/8 G G,P G,G G,O G,B

3.  9/16 O O,P O,G O,O O,B

B B,P B,G B,O B,B
4.  7/16
 More Practice
A 6-sided cube is flipped, and colored spinner is
spun. What is the probability that it will:

1.  Land on 1 and blue?

2.  Land on an even number and green?
3.  Land on a number larger than 4 and purple?
4.  Land on 3 or 4 and blue or green?
5.  Land on an odd number or 2 and a color other
than purple?
 Practice
For breakfast, Trevor has the choice of three types of
bagels (plain, sesame, or multigrain), 2 types of eggs
(scrambled or poached), and two types of juices (orange
and apple). Make a tree diagram to show the sample
space (all of his possibilities).
 Independent vs. Dependent Events

Events are independent if the occurrence of one event does

not affect the probability of the other event (such as flipping
a coin or rolling a cube)

Dependent events directly affect the probability of the other

event (such as rearranging the letters of a word)

Ex: Find the sample space for the different possibilities

someone can randomly order the letters in the word ONE
ONE, OEN, NEO, NOE, EON, ENO
6 possibilities in the sample space
 Do Now
Jenni flips a coin three times. What is the probability that
it will land on tales at least two times?

4 favorable possibilities

8 total possibilities

P(at least 2 tales) = 4/8 or ½ or 50%