Probability - Probability is a numerical description of how likely an event is to occur or how likely it is
that a proposition is true. Probability is a number between 0 and 1, where, roughly speaking, 0 indicates
impossibility and 1 indicates certainty. The higher the probability of an event, the more likely it is that
the event will occur. A simple example is the tossing of a fair (unbiased) coin. Since the coin is fair, the
two outcomes ("heads" and "tails") are both equally probable; the probability of "heads" equals the
probability of "tails"; and since no other outcomes are possible, the probability of either "heads" or
"tails" is 1/2 (which could also be written as 0.5 or 50%).
Ways to Express Likelihood of Occurrence
Some examples of probability include:
There is a 20 percent chance of rain tomorrow.
Based on how poorly the interview went, it is unlikely I will get the job.
Since it is 90 degrees outside, it is impossible it will snow.
After flipping this coin 10 times and having it land on heads 8 times, the probability of landing on
heads is still 50 percent. The odds stay the same regardless of what it landed on before or after the
11th flip of the coin.
On a spinner that has four colors occupying equally sized spaces, there is a one in four probability it
will land on any one color.
In a drawer of ten socks, 8 of them yellow, there is a twenty percent chance of choosing a sock that
is not yellow.
Since it is sunny and hot, it is very likely I will go to the pool today.
There is a 50 percent chance of snow tonight.
Because the ground is warm, it is very unlikely that the snow will stick to the ground.
There is a foot of snow on the ground; so, it is extremely likely school will not be in session
tomorrow.
She did not pay her mortgage payment three months in a row; so, it is possible her house will be
foreclosed upon.
That employee was rated "Employee of the Month" three times last year; so, it is very likely she will
receive a good evaluation.
Our team has won all of our football games this season; so, it is likely we will defeat the worst team
in the league when we play against them.
She comes to work late nearly everyday; so, it is likely she is going to be reprimanded.
There are one hundred cars on the sales lot that are silver. The probability of a customer choosing a
silver car is 50%.
The probability of winning the lottery is one in many millions.
There are nine red candies in a bag and one blue candy in the same bag. The chances of picking the
blue candy are 10%.
In my closet are five pairs of shoes, four of which are black. The chances of picking a black pair of
shoes is 4 out of 5.
Since I am not feeling well, it is very unlikely I will be going to a party tonight.
Given that she calls out of work once a week, it is quite possible that she will do so again this week.
Since it is supposed to rain tomorrow, it is very likely I will need to use my windshield wipers when I
go to work.