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

5946 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Given a spinner divided in 3 sections numbered 1, 2 and 3, and that the arc of section 2 is double that of section one (~57.6 cm), calculate pi to 2 decimal places. The radius of the spinner is 30cm and the angle sub-intended by section 3 is 30 degrees.


What is the hypotenuse of the triangle if the other 2 sides are 8cm and 6cm?


There is a quarter circle with radius 8cm, what is the area of the quarter circle. The answer should be given in terms of pi, units are cm^2.


How do I solve an equation with both x and y variables (simultaneous equation)?


We're here to help

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

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning