Finite Mathematics 2
Learning Competency 9: Illustrate sample spaces of events by listing elements.
In probability, a sample space is the set of all possible outcomes of an experiment.
• We usually denote it by S
• Outcomes are written using set notation { }
• Listing elements means writing every possible outcome explicitly
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
Outcome – a possible result of an experiment
Event – a subset of a sample space
Sample space (S) – set of all outcomes
Experiment – process that generates observable outcomes
Example: Experiment: Rolling a die
Outcome: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Sample Space: S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
Number of outcomes: n(S) = 6
Directions: List the sample space (all possible outcomes) and give the number of outcomes. Write your answer at the
back of the paper.
1. Choosing a day of the weekend.
2. Tossing two coins.
3. Choose a color from {red, blue, yellow} then a shape from {circle, square}.
4. Selecting one letter from the word “MATH.”
5. Spinning a spinner with 4 equal sections labeled 1-4.
Learning Competency 10: Calculate the probability of an event by (a) listing and (b) using counting techniques.
In probability, the probability of an event tells how likely it is to happen.
• We usually denote probability by P(event)
• Probability is written as a fraction, decimal, or percent
• Probability formula:
!"#$%& () )*+(&*$,% ("-.(#%/
𝑃(𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡) = -(-*, !"#$%& () ("-.(#%/
Directions: Find the probability of the following.
__________ 1. A bag contains 3 red, 2 blue, and 1 green ball. If a ball is drawn at random, what is the probability that it
is red?
__________ 2. A die is rolled. What is the probability of getting a number less than 4?
__________ 3. Two coins are tossed. What is the probability of getting at least one tail?
__________ 4. A box contains cards labeled A, B, C, D, E. If one card is drawn, what is the probability of selecting a card
that is a vowel?
__________ 5. A spinner is divided into 5 equal sections labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. What is the probability of spinning a prime
number?
Learning Competency 11: Determine if two or more events are mutually exclusive.
In probability, mutually exclusive events are events that cannot happen at the same time.
• If Event A occurs, Event B cannot occur, and vice versa.
• They have no common outcomes in the sample space.
Notation: 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = ∅ (empty set)
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
Mutually exclusive events – events that cannot happen together
Non-mutually exclusive events – events that can happen together
Intersection (𝐴 ∩ 𝐵) – outcomes common to both events
Directions: Determine whether the events are mutually exclusive (ME) or not mutually exclusive (NME).
__________ 1. Rolling a 6 or rolling an odd number from a die.
__________ 2. Drawing a King or drawing a red card from a deck.
__________ 3. Tossing heads or tossing tails from a coin.
__________ 4. Spinning a number greater than 2 or an even number.
__________ 5. Choosing a student who wears glasses or choosing a male student from a class.
Learning Competency 12: Calculate the probability of the complement of an event and the union of two events.
In probability:
• The complement of an event refers to all outcomes in the sample space that are NOT part of the event.
𝑃(𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝐴) = 𝑃(𝐴0 ) = 1 − 𝑃(𝐴)
Example: Rolling a die, Event A = rolling a 6
Sample Space: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
Complement: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
1 3
𝑃(𝐴0 ) = 1 − 2 = 2
• The union of two events refers to all outcomes that belong to Event A or Event B or both.
𝑃(𝐴 ∪ 𝐵) = 𝑃(𝐴) + 𝑃(𝐵) − 𝑃(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵)
Note: If events are mutually exclusive, then, 𝑃(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵) = 0, so:
𝑃(𝐴 ∪ 𝐵) = 𝑃(𝐴) + 𝑃(𝐵)
Directions: Calculate the probability of the complement of the given event.
__________ 1. Rolling an even number from a die.
__________ 2. Drawing a red ball from a bag containing 3 red and 2 blue balls.
__________ 3. Getting at least one head when tossing two coins.
__________ 4. Spinning a number greater than 2 on a spinner with 4 equal sections labeled 1–4.
__________ 5. Drawing a heart from a deck of cards.
Directions: Calculate the probability of the union of the two events.
__________ 1. Rolling a 2 or rolling a 5 from a die.
__________ 2. Drawing a King or drawing a Jack from a deck of cards.
__________ 3. Drawing a Queen or drawing a red card from a deck of cards.
__________ 4. Spinning a number greater than 2 or spinning an even number on a spinner with 4 sections labeled 1–4.
__________ 5. Getting at least one head or getting a tail when tossing two coins.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ______________________
Grade & Section: _________________________________ Score: _____________________
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.
___ 1. A family flips a coin three times. Which of the following is the correct sample space?
A. {H, T, HH, TT} C. {HH, HT, TH, TT}
B. {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT, THH, THT, TTH, TTT} D. {H, T}
___ 2. A student picks a card labeled 1, 2, or 3 and a die is rolled. Which of the following is the sample space for all
possible outcomes?
A. {1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} C. {1,2,3,4,5,6}
B. {(1,1), (1,2), … , (3,6)} D. {(1,2), (2,3), (3,4)}
___ 3. A box contains 5 white and 3 black balls. If a ball is drawn at random, what is the probability it is black?
A. 3/8 B. 5/8 C. 1/2 D. 1/4
___ 4. A die is rolled. What is the probability of rolling a number divisible by 3?
A. 1/6 B. 1/3 C. 1/2 D. 2/3
___ 5. Two dice are rolled. What is the probability that the sum of the numbers is 7?
A. 1/6 B. 1/8 C. 1/12 D. 1/9
___ 6. A spinner is divided into 6 equal parts labeled 1–6. Are the events “spinning an even number” and “spinning a 5”
mutually exclusive?
A. Yes B. No C. Cannot determine D. Only if the spinner is biased
___ 7. A student chooses a snack: chips or a cookie. Are the events “choosing chips” and “choosing a sweet snack”
mutually exclusive?
A. Yes B. No C. Cannot tell D. Only if cookie is salty
___ 8. A jar contains 10 marbles: 6 red, 4 green. What is the probability of not drawing a red marble?
A. 2/5 B. 3/5 C. 1/2 D. 4/10
___ 9. Rolling a die, what is the probability of rolling a number less than 3 or an odd number?
A. 1/2 B. 2/3 C. 5/6 D. 1/3
___ 10. Drawing a card from a deck, what is the probability of drawing a spade or a face card?
A. 16/52 B. 13/52 C. 12/52 D. 11/52