Functional Skills: Probability
Functional Skills: Probability Revision
Probability
Probability is a measurement of the likelihood of an event happening. We can use fractions, decimals and percentages to describe probabilities.
There are 4 skills you need to understand for probability.
The best way to start your level 2 maths revision is…...
The subject knowledge assessment. This covers key areas from the level 2 maths exam and once completed will provide revision suggestions so you know what topics to focus on.Â
Skill 1: The Probability Scale
The probability scale summarises the likelihood of an event occurring:
- At the lower end of the scale, the likelihood of an event occurring is very small, so the probability is close to zero.
- As we move up the scale, events become increasingly likely.
- When the probability is \dfrac{1}{2}, there is an equal chance of an event occurring/not occurring.
- If the probability is less than \dfrac{1}{2}, the event is unlikely to occur.
- If the probability is greater than \dfrac{1}{2}, the event is likely to occur.
- Events that are impossible have a probability of 0 and events that are certain have a probability of 1
Notes:
- We usually express probabilities as fractions or decimals, but we can also use percentages. For example, a probability of \dfrac{1}{2} means there is a 50\% chance of the event occurring and a probability of \dfrac{3}{4} means there is a 75\% chance of an event occurring etc.
- You may sometimes see notation such as P(\text{event}) which means the probability of an event happening – the word in the brackets is interchangeable with what the event is, e.g. you may see P(\text{odd}) which means the probability of something being odd, or P(\text{red}) which means the probability of something being red.
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Skill 2: Calculating Probabilities
We can calculate the probability of an event occurring if we know the total number number of possible outcomes.
Example:Â If we want to calculate the probability of rolling an even number on a standard die, we need the total number of possible outcomes. There are \textcolor{blue}{6} numbers on a standard die, of which \textcolor{red}{3} are even (2, 4 and 6). We can calculate the probability as follows:
Skill 3: Probabilities Add up to 1
All probabilities must add up to 1. So, we can calculate the probability of an event not happening by subtracting the probability that it will happen from 1:
Probability of event not happening = \, 1 \, - probability of event happening
Example: The probability of it raining tomorrow is \textcolor{red}{0.4}. What is the probability of it not raining tomorrow?
\begin{aligned} \text{Probability of no rain tomorrow} &= 1Â - \text{probability of rain tomorrow} \\ &= 1 - \textcolor{red}{0.4} = \textcolor{blue}{0.6} \end{aligned}
Skill 4: Events Happening Multiple Times
You can find the probability of an event happening multiple times by multiplying the probability of it happening once by itself that number of times.
Example: Mehmed has a coin. The probability of landing on tails is \textcolor{red}{0.5}.
Mehmed flips the coin three times. What is the probability of landing on tails on all three occasions?
\text{Probability of three tails} = \textcolor{red}{0.5} \times \textcolor{red}{0.5} \times \textcolor{red}{0.5} = \textcolor{blue}{0.125}
See what level 2 maths topics you need support with.
The subject knowledge assessment tests your skills on a number of topics that will come up in the actual exam. You then get feedback on what you need to revise.Â
Example: Probability Scale
Match up the following events with the labels on the probability scale.
i) The probability that it rains in any given week in winter
ii) The probability of getting ‘tails’ on a coin toss
iii) The probability that you will have a birthday this year
iv) The probability that you win the lottery
[4 marks]
i) In any given week in winter, it is fairly likely (but not certain) that it will rain. The probability that it rains in any given week in winter will therefore be between \dfrac{1}{2} and 1, which matches up to \color{black}C
ii) The probability of getting tails on a coin toss is \dfrac{1}{2}, as there is an equal chance of getting heads or tails. This matches up to \color{black}B on the probability scale
iii) It is certain you will have a birthday each year (unless you are born on the 29th February in a leap year!), so the probability is 1, which matches up to \color{black}D
iv) The likelihood that you win the lottery is extremely small (but not impossible) so it will be very close to 0. This matches up to \color{black}{A}
Functional Skills: Probability Example Questions
Question 1: There are 250 employees in a business. The owner of the business is going to choose 20 employees at random to receive a bonus.
What is the probability of receiving a bonus? Give your answer as a percentage.
[2 marks]
Question 2: A box contains red and blue counters. The probability of picking a red counter out of the box is 0.35
What is the probability of picking a blue counter out of the bag?
[2 marks]
Probability of blue counter = 1 \, - probability of red counter = 1 - 0.35 = 0.65
Question 3: Jerry has a standard die. He rolls the die three times.
What is the probability of rolling a number 3 on all three occasions?
Give your answer as a fraction.
[2 marks]
The probability of rolling the a number 3 is \dfrac{1}{6}, since a die has 6 sides.
Therefore, to find the probability of rolling a number 3 on all three occasions, we multiply the probability of rolling a 3 by itself and then by itself again:
Probability = \dfrac{1}{6} \times \dfrac{1}{6} \times \dfrac{1}{6} = \dfrac{1}{216}
Functional Skills: Probability Worksheet and Example Questions
Probability L1
FS Level 1NewOfficial PFS
Probability L2
FS Level 2NewOfficial PFS[responsive-flipbook id=”pfs_pocket_revision_guide_-_sample”]
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