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How to Figure Probability

Probability quantifies the likelihood of the occurrence of a specified event or events. You can specify a particular roll of the dice, such as double sixes, or a range of rolls such as any roll four or smaller. You can report probability as a common fraction or a decimal. For example, the probability of heads on a coin toss equals 1/2, or 0.5.

Things You'll Need

  • Calculator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Count the number of possible successful outcomes. For example, if you roll one die and you need to roll a three or higher to win, you would count four successful outcomes: 3, 4, 5 or 6. If you want to get heads when you toss a coin, you would have one successful outcome.

    • 2

      Count the number of possible outcomes. A die has six sides, so you have six possible outcomes. A coin has two sides, so you have two possible outcomes.

    • 3

      Divide the number of possible outcomes by the number of total outcomes to find the probability of success. For the die, divide four by six to get 4/6, or about 0.667. For the coin, divide 1 by 2 to get 1/2, or 0.5.

    • 4

      Multiply the probabilities of independent events by each other to find the probability that both events will occur. If you wanted to find the probability of rolling a three or higher and tossing a coin and getting heads, multiply 4/6 by 1/2 to get a 1/3 probability, or about 0.333.

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