Probability can be described qualitatively by ordering events as impossible, unlikely, equally likely, likely, or certain, based on whether outcomes can occur and how their chances compare. The distinction between an event’s likelihood and the result of a single trial supports later work with fractions and numerical probability; numerical calculations, compound-event analysis, and more formal probability models are not included at this level.
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Detailed Explanation: Describe probability with words
Probability words describe how possible an event is:
- Impossible: It cannot happen.
- Unlikely: It could happen, but it probably will not.
- Equally likely: Two events have the same chance of happening.
- Likely: It could happen, and it probably will.
- Certain: It must happen.
Remember, likely does not mean certain. A likely event can still fail in one trial.
Worked example
A spinner has 4 equal sections:
- 2 blue sections
- 1 red section
- 1 yellow section
What word describes the chance of landing on blue?
- Landing on blue can happen, so it is not impossible.
- There are more blue sections than red or yellow sections.
- Therefore, landing on blue has a better chance than not landing on blue.
So, landing on blue is likely.
It is not certain because the spinner could land on red or yellow instead.
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Likelihood - One Die - How Likely Is This Event
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- Likelihood - One Die - How Likely Is This Event