Edexcel Maths Probability Revision Notes
Master Edexcel Maths Probability using simple revision notes, key facts and practice questions — all generated by AI for your exam.
Probability is a measure of the likelihood that an event will occur, expressed as a number between 0 and 1. Understanding probability is essential for analyzing random events and making informed decisions based on uncertainty.
Key Concepts
- 1Probability is calculated as the number of favorable outcomes divided by the total number of possible outcomes.
- 2The sum of probabilities of all possible outcomes of a random experiment equals 1.
- 3Independent events do not affect each other's probabilities; the probability of both occurring is the product of their individual probabilities.
- 4Dependent events affect each other's probabilities; the probability of one event occurring depends on the outcome of another.
- 5Complementary events are mutually exclusive; the probability of an event occurring plus the probability of it not occurring equals 1.
Simple Explanation
Probability tells us how likely something is to happen. If you have a bag of marbles, the probability of picking a red marble is the number of red marbles divided by the total number of marbles. If you have more red marbles, the chance of picking one increases. Probability helps us understand and predict outcomes in uncertain situations.
Memory Trick
“Remember 'P = F/T' where P is Probability, F is Favorable outcomes, and T is Total outcomes. Think of it like filling a cup: the more you fill it with your favorite drink (favorable outcomes), the less space there is for anything else (total outcomes).”
Flashcards
What is the formula for calculating probability?
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Exam Questions
Describe and explain the difference between independent and dependent events. [6 marks]
6 marksView mark scheme hint▾
Define both types of events, provide examples, and explain how their probabilities are calculated.
Explain how to calculate the probability of complementary events. [4 marks]
4 marksView mark scheme hint▾
Define complementary events and provide the formula for calculating their probabilities.
What is meant by a 'sample space' in probability? [2 marks]
2 marksView mark scheme hint▾
Define sample space and give an example.
Practice Quiz
What is the probability of rolling a 3 on a fair six-sided die?
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