Tachs Math Question of the Day

1. $\dfrac{3}{5}$ (correct answer)
2. $\dfrac{4}{5}$
3. $\dfrac{1}{2}$
4. $\dfrac{2}{5}$

Explanation: When you encounter probability questions involving spinners or similar scenarios, focus on identifying the favorable outcomes versus the total possible outcomes. Let's examine this spinner systematically. You have 5 equal sections labeled 1, 1, 2, 3, and 4. To find the probability of landing on an odd number, first identify which numbers are odd: 1 and 3 are odd, while 2 and 4 are even. Now count the favorable outcomes. Since there are two sections labeled "1" and one section labeled "3," you have 3 sections total that show odd numbers. The total number of sections is 5. Therefore, the probability is $\frac{3}{5}$, which is choice A. Let's examine why the other options are incorrect. Choice B ($\frac{4}{5}$) might tempt you if you mistakenly counted 4 different odd outcomes, perhaps by thinking there are 4 distinct numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) and most are odd. Choice C ($\frac{1}{2}$) could result from incorrectly reasoning that there are 2 types of numbers (odd and even) so the probability should be equal. Choice D ($\frac{2}{5}$) might occur if you only counted the number of different odd values (1 and 3) rather than the actual sections containing odd numbers. Remember: in probability problems, always count the actual outcomes, not just the distinct values. If a spinner has repeated labels, each section counts as a separate outcome, even if the numbers are identical.