5.1 Revision of basic probability and fundamental principle of counting
5.2 Experimental probability and relative frequency
The Learning Outcomes covered in this unit are contained in the following sections:
SP.2c
Key words Experimental probability
Frequency Relative frequency
5.1 Revision of basic probability and the fundamental principle of counting
By the end of this section you should be able to: ● recall and understand information from Unit 7 in Linking Thinking 1
On a production line, light bulbs are tested to see how long they will last. After testing 1 000 light bulbs, it is found that 980 will work for more than 1 600 hours.
Thomas purchases a light bulb. What is the relative frequency that the light bulb will:
1. work for more than 1 600 hours? 2. will not work for more than 1 600 hours?
For a fair die:
Number of possible outcomes = 6 Number of outcomes favourable to throwing a fi ve = 1 P(throwing a fi ve) = 1
__ 6
You also studied the fundamental principle of counting (FPoC):
If one event has m outcomes and another event has n outcomes, then: Total number of possible outcomes from doing both events =m × n
For example, if a game involves rolling a die and spinning a spinner which has 5 equal sections, the number of possible outcomes is 6 × 5 = 30.
Section A Applying our skills 89
Probability
Something to think about …
You studied basic probability in Linking Thinking 1. Basic probability is known as the ‘theoretical probability of an event’ occurring.
For example, if you roll a die, the probability of obtaining the number 5 can be calculated in theory as: P (E) = number of outcomes favourable to that event
_________________________________ number of possible outcomes