How do you know when to add probabilities together and when to multiply them together

A probability that an event occurs will always range between 0 and 1. If you want to know the probability of two events both happening you would multiply them together. For exampke what is the probability I flip a coin and it is heads twice in a row. The probability of my getting heads in the first spin is 1/2. The probability of me getting heads in the second spin is also 1/2. Therefore the probability of me getting heads twice in a row is 1/2 X 1/2 which  equals 1/4. 

Probabilities are added together when you want to know the probabilty of an event occuring OR another event occuring. For example if I roll a die and want to know the probability of  getting a 2 or a 6, I would add the individual probabilities of getting each of these. The probability of rolling a 2 is 1/6 and the probability of rolling a 6 is also 1/6. Therefore the probability of getting a 2 or a 6 is 1/6 + 1/6 which equals 2/6. This is the same as 1/3. 

PS
Answered by Priyen S. Maths tutor

4275 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do you complete the square?


Solve the simultaneous equations A and B: [A] 2x + y = 18 [B] x - y = 6


There are 10 boys and 20 girls in a class. The class has a test. The mean mark for all the class is 60. The mean mark for the girls is 54. Work out the mean mark for the boys.


How do I solve two simultaneous equations?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences