What is probability?

Chance experiments

Some examples of chance experiments include the toss of a coin, a spin of a four-coloured spinner or the rolling of a six-sided die. (The plural of die is dice.)

Outcomes

For the roll of a six-sided die there are six outcomes: we can roll a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or a 6. The outcomes are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

For one toss of a coin, the two outcomes are 'heads' or 'tails'.

For a four-coloured spinner such as the one pictured, the outcomes for one spin are orange, red, green or blue.

Detailed description

If you planted 12 seeds, one in each compartment of a 12-egg egg carton, and were interested in which seed sprouted first, there are 12 outcomes.