IXL | Probability of compound events

What is the probability of rolling a six on the first die and a three on the second die?

Write your answer as a fraction or a whole number. With fractions, use a slash ( / ) to separate the numerator and denominator.

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Learn with an example

question

What is the probability of flipping tails on the first coin and heads on the second coin?

Write your answer as a fraction or a whole number. With fractions, use a slash ( / ) to separate the numerator and denominator.

key idea

The probability is the number of favorable outcomes out of the number of possible outcomes. The number of outcomes for a compound event is the product of the number of outcomes for each individual event.

solution

Find the number of possible outcomes for the first coin. The coin has two sides, so there are 2 possible outcomes.

Find the number of possible outcomes for the second coin. The coin has two sides, so there are 2 possible outcomes.

Multiply to find the number of combinations:

2 × 2 = 4

There are 4 possible outcomes overall.

Find the number of favorable outcomes for the first coin. 1 side is tails, so there is 1 favorable outcome.

Find the number of favorable outcomes for the second coin. 1 side is heads, so there is 1 favorable outcome.

Multiply to find the number of combinations:

1 × 1 = 1

There is 1 favorable outcome overall.

The probability of flipping tails on the first coin and heads on the second coin is 1 out of 4, or 1/4.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Compound probability

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Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

II.12Find the number of outcomes: word problems

II.2Probability of simple events

Lesson: Compound probability

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