Theoretical Probability
Definition

Theoretical probability is probability that is determined on the basis of reasoning.

Experimental probability is probability that is determined on the basis of the results of an experiment repeated many times.


Probability is a value between (and including) zero and one.


If P(E) represents the probability of an event E, then:


A listing of all of the outcomes of an experiment is called the sample space (S) of the experiment and n(S) represents the number of outcomes in the sample space.


If n(E) represents the number of outcomes in event E, then in this context P(E) represents the theoretical probability that event E will occur and is given by:

Probability definition

Demonstration

The more times the die is tossed, the closer the values of the experimental probabilities get to the values of the theoretical probabilities (of getting a chosen numeral).


Sample space (S) of throwing a die: { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 }


Probability of getting a chosen numeral

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Demonstration

The more times the spinner is spun, the closer the values of the experimental probabilities get to the values of the theoretical probabilities (of landing in each sector).


Given each of the following:

Probability definition

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