Understand Compound Event Probability
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7th Grade Math › Understand Compound Event Probability
A student flips a fair coin and rolls a fair six-sided die. How many outcomes are favorable for the event “heads and even”?
2
3
6
12
Explanation
This question tests compound event probability as the fraction of the compound sample space: list all possible outcomes, count the favorable ones, and divide by the total. A compound event combines simple events like coin flip and die roll, with compound space of 12 outcomes, probability as favorable over total, like both heads on two coins P=1/4. For example, two coins {HH, HT, TH, TT}, both heads {HH}, P=1/4; sum=7 on dice, 6 favorable, P=6/36=1/6. The correct number is 3 because favorable are H with even die: H2, H4, H6. A common error is counting all evens including tails, leading to 6. To find the count, (1) identify compound process, (2) list space of 12, (3) identify heads and even, (4) count 3 (evens:2,4,6 with H), (5) for P=3/12. Systematic listing by coin then die ensures accuracy; mistakes include miscounting evens or including tails.
Two fair coins are flipped. A student says the probability of getting two heads is $\frac{1}{2}$ because “heads has a $\frac{1}{2}$ chance.” What is the correct probability of two heads using the compound sample space ${HH,HT,TH,TT}$?
$\frac{1}{3}$
$\frac{1}{2}$
$\frac{1}{4}$
$\frac{2}{4}$
Explanation
This question tests compound event probability as the fraction of the compound sample space: list all possible outcomes, count the favorable ones, and divide by the total. A compound event combines simple events like two coin flips, with space {HH, HT, TH, TT}=4, probability favorable over total, like both heads {HH} P=1/4. For example, two coins space, both heads 1/4; dice sum=7, 6/36=1/6. The correct probability is 1/4 as only HH is favorable out of 4. The student's error is using simple probability for one coin, ignoring compound nature and distinct outcomes like HT and TH. To find it, (1) identify two flips, (2) list space 4, (3) identify two heads, (4) count 1, (5) P=1/4. Order matters, systematic listing avoids mistakes like treating HT=TH as one.
Two fair six-sided dice are rolled. Which list shows all favorable ordered outcomes for the event “sum is 7”?
$(6,1),(5,2),(4,3)$
$(1,6)$ only
$(1,6),(2,5),(3,4),(4,3),(5,2),(6,1)$
$(1,6),(2,5),(3,4)$
Explanation
This question tests compound event probability as the fraction of the compound sample space: list all possible outcomes, count the favorable ones, and divide by the total. A compound event combines simple events like rolling two dice, with the compound space being 36 ordered pairs, and probability as favorable over total, like both heads on coins P=1/4. For example, with two coins {HH, HT, TH, TT}, 'both heads' {HH}, P=1/4; for sum=7 on dice, 6 favorable like (1,6) to (6,1), P=6/36=1/6. The correct list is all six ordered pairs because it includes both directions like (3,4) and (4,3). A common error is listing only one direction, like just (1,6),(2,5),(3,4), missing half. To find favorable outcomes, (1) identify the compound process of two dice, (2) count space as 36, (3) identify sums of 7, (4) list and count all 6, (5) for P=6/36. Systematic listing by first die ensures completeness, order matters; mistakes include ignoring order or incomplete lists.
A student flips two fair coins. The compound sample space is ${HH, HT, TH, TT}$. What is the probability of getting two heads?
$\frac{1}{2}$
$\frac{2}{4}$
$\frac{1}{4}$
$\frac{1}{3}$
Explanation
This question tests compound event probability as the fraction of the compound sample space by listing outcomes, counting favorable ones, and dividing by the total. A compound event combines simple events like flipping two coins, with the compound space including all combinations such as {HH, HT, TH, TT} for two coins (4 outcomes) or 36 for two dice. The event probability is found by identifying favorable outcomes and calculating P = favorable/total, like both heads {HH} with P=1/4. For example, with two coins {HH, HT, TH, TT}, 'both heads' has {HH}, so P=1/4; for sum=7 on dice, there are 6 favorable outcomes, P=6/36=1/6. The correct answer is B, $\frac{1}{4}$, because there is only 1 favorable outcome (HH) out of 4 total outcomes. A common error is thinking the probability is 1/2 by mistakenly considering only one coin or confusing with simple events. To find this, (1) identify the compound process of two coin flips, (2) list or count the space as 4, (3) identify favorable as both heads, (4) count 1, (5) calculate P=1/4; systematic listing helps, and order matters here. Mistakes include incomplete sample space or ignoring order.
A student flips a fair coin and then rolls a fair six-sided die. Which set lists all favorable outcomes for the event heads and an even number?
${H2, H4, H6}$
${H1, H3, H5}$
${T2, T4, T6}$
${H2, T2, H4, T4, H6, T6}$
Explanation
This question tests compound event probability as the fraction of the compound sample space by listing outcomes, counting favorable ones, and dividing by the total. A compound event combines simple events like flipping a coin and rolling a die, with the compound space including all combinations for a total of 12 outcomes, and the probability is calculated by identifying favorable outcomes and dividing by the total, for example, both heads on two coins {HH} out of {HH, HT, TH, TT} gives P=1/4. For example, with two coins {HH, HT, TH, TT}, the event 'both heads' has {HH} as favorable, so P=1/4; similarly, for sum=7 on two dice, there are 6 favorable outcomes out of 36, so P=6/36=1/6. The correct answer is B, {H2, H4, H6}, because these are all outcomes with heads and even die rolls. A common error is including tails or odd numbers, like in choices A or C. To find such probabilities, (1) identify the compound process, (2) list or count the sample space, (3) identify favorable outcomes, (4) count them, and (5) calculate P as favorable over total. Use systematic listing to ensure all outcomes are included, remembering that order matters in sequencing, and avoid mistakes like incomplete favorable sets or ignoring conditions.
A student flips two fair coins. The compound sample space is ${HH, HT, TH, TT}$. What is the probability of getting two heads?
$\frac{1}{2}$
$\frac{2}{4}$
$\frac{1}{3}$
$\frac{1}{4}$
Explanation
This question tests compound event probability as the fraction of the compound sample space: list all possible outcomes, count the favorable ones, and divide by the total. A compound event combines simple events like flipping two coins, with the compound space being all combinations such as {HH, HT, TH, TT} totaling 4 outcomes, and the probability is the number of favorable outcomes divided by total, like both heads {HH} giving P=1/4. For example, with two coins {HH, HT, TH, TT}, the event 'both heads' has {HH} as favorable, so P=1/4; similarly, for sum=7 on two dice, there are 6 favorable out of 36, P=6/36=1/6. The correct answer is 1/4 because there is only one favorable outcome, HH, out of four equally likely outcomes. A common error is thinking it's 1/2 by mistakenly using single coin probability without considering the compound space. To find this probability, (1) identify the compound process of two coin flips, (2) list or count the space as 4 outcomes, (3) identify favorable as two heads, (4) count 1 favorable, (5) calculate P=1/4. Use systematic listing to ensure all outcomes are included, remembering order matters in distinguishing HT and TH; mistakes include incomplete spaces or ignoring order.
A fair coin is flipped and then a fair six-sided die is rolled. How many favorable outcomes are there for the event “heads and even”?
2
3
6
12
Explanation
This question tests compound event probability as the fraction of the compound sample space by listing outcomes, counting favorable ones, and dividing by the total. A compound event combines simple events like flipping a coin and rolling a die, with the compound space including all combinations such as {HH, HT, TH, TT}=4 for two coins or 36 for two dice. The event probability is found by identifying favorable outcomes and calculating P = favorable/total, like both heads {HH} with P=1/4. For example, with two coins {HH, HT, TH, TT}, 'both heads' has {HH}, so P=1/4; for sum=7 on dice, there are 6 favorable outcomes, P=6/36=1/6. The correct answer is B, 3, because heads with even die (2,4,6) gives 3 outcomes. A common error is counting all evens (6) or including tails. To find this, (1) identify the compound process of coin and die, (2) list or count the space as 12, (3) identify favorable as heads and even, (4) count 3, (5) no P here; systematic listing helps, and order matters. Mistakes include miscounted favorable like 2 or 6, or using total space wrong.
Two fair six-sided dice are rolled. How many outcomes are in the compound sample space?
$18$
$36$
$12$
$6$
Explanation
This question tests compound event probability as the fraction of the compound sample space by listing outcomes, counting favorable ones, and dividing by the total. A compound event combines simple events like rolling two dice, with the compound space including all combinations for a total of 36 outcomes, and the probability is calculated by identifying favorable outcomes and dividing by the total, for example, both heads on two coins {HH} out of {HH, HT, TH, TT} gives P=1/4. For example, with two coins {HH, HT, TH, TT}, the event 'both heads' has {HH} as favorable, so P=1/4; similarly, for sum=7 on two dice, there are 6 favorable outcomes out of 36, so P=6/36=1/6. The correct answer is C, 36, because each die has 6 faces, so 6x6=36 outcomes. A common error is confusing with simple space or adding instead of multiplying, like thinking it's 12. To find such probabilities, (1) identify the compound process, (2) list or count the sample space, (3) identify favorable outcomes, (4) count them, and (5) calculate P as favorable over total. Use systematic listing to ensure all outcomes are included, remembering that order matters in distinguishing dice, and avoid mistakes like incomplete spaces or wrong total count.
Two fair six-sided dice are rolled. A student counts only one favorable outcome for sum 7: $(1,6)$. Which fraction correctly represents $P(\text{sum}=7)$ using all ordered outcomes?
$\frac{7}{36}$
$\frac{6}{12}$
$\frac{6}{36}$
$\frac{1}{36}$
Explanation
This question tests compound event probability as the fraction of the compound sample space: list all possible outcomes, count the favorable ones, and divide by the total. A compound event combines simple events like two dice rolls, space 36 ordered pairs, P=favorable/total like coin both heads 1/4. For example, coins {HH,HT,TH,TT}, both heads 1/4; dice sum=7 has 6 favorable, 6/36=1/6. The correct fraction is 6/36 as there are six ordered pairs summing to 7, not just one. The student's error is counting only one outcome like (1,6), missing others like (6,1). To calculate, (1) identify two rolls, (2) space 36, (3) sum=7, (4) count 6, (5) P=6/36. Order matters, list systematically to avoid incomplete favorable counts.
Two fair six-sided dice are rolled. There are $36$ equally likely ordered outcomes $(1,1)$ through $(6,6)$. What is the probability that the sum is 7?
$\frac{1}{6}$
$\frac{7}{36}$
$\frac{1}{36}$
$\frac{6}{36}$
Explanation
This question tests compound event probability as the fraction of the compound sample space: list all possible outcomes, count the favorable ones, and divide by the total. A compound event combines simple events like rolling two dice, with the compound space being all combinations totaling 36 outcomes, and the probability is the number of favorable outcomes divided by total, like both heads on coins {HH} giving P=1/4. For example, with two coins {HH, HT, TH, TT}, 'both heads' has {HH}, P=1/4; for sum=7 on dice, favorable are (1,6),(2,5),(3,4),(4,3),(5,2),(6,1) so 6 out of 36, P=6/36=1/6. The correct answer is 6/36 because there are exactly six favorable ordered pairs that sum to 7 out of 36 total. A common error is counting only one way like (1,6) without considering all ordered pairs, leading to 1/36. To find this probability, (1) identify the compound process of two dice rolls, (2) list or count the space as 36 outcomes, (3) identify favorable as sums of 7, (4) count 6 favorable, (5) calculate P=6/36. Systematic listing ensures all ordered pairs are considered, as order matters; mistakes include miscounting favorable outcomes or using an incorrect total space size.