The probability of an event is a number between 0 and 1 that describes the likelihood that the event will occur. Events can also be called outcomes or possibilities.
Probability can be given as a fraction (2/5), a ratio (2 in 5) or a percent (40%).
Probability
Video Courtesy of Kaplan GRE prep.
Probability is often seen as a very difficult part of the GRE, but by logically applying one simple fraction you can make probability much easier. Start with probability in its most basic form.
You have a fair six-sided die. If you roll it once, what is the probability you roll a 5?
There are 6 sides to the die, and each is equally likely to come up. So there are 6 possible outcomes, and rolling a 5 is the one that you want. Therefore, there is a 1 in 6 probability that the 5 will come up. (Note: die is the singular of dice.)
800score Technique: The Bottom and the Top
If you want to make probability simpler, just think of it as a fraction to define Bottom then Top. The bottom number is the total number of possibilities that could happen, and the top number is the number of possible ways to achieve the desired result.
Or, more simply:
probability = \dfrac{desired\, outcome}{all\, possible\, outcomes}
Apply that to the sample of rolling a 5.
Bottom: 6 outcomes are possible
Top: 1 desired outcome
Probability: 1/6
Example
A class has 17 girls and 17 boys. If a student is called at random, what is the probability it will be a girl?
Solution
There are 34 possible outcomes. The desired outcome is a girl being called.
Bottom: 34 outcomes are possible
Top: 17 possible desired outcomes
Probability: 17/34 = 1/2
Example
A fruit basket has 10 apples, 8 oranges and 6 pears. What is the probability of randomly picking an orange?
Solution
There are 24 possible outcomes. An orange is wanted.
Bottom: 24 outcomes are possible
Top: 8 of the fruits are oranges (desired outcome)
Probability: 8/24 = 1/3
Example – Selecting marbles from a bag
Example
A bag contains 3 white marbles, 2 blue marbles and 5 red marbles. What is the percent probability of drawing a white marble from the bag?
Solution
There are a total of 10 marbles in the bag.
Bottom: 10 outcomes are possible
Top: 3 marbles are white
Probability: 3/10 = 30%
Before attempting these problems, be sure to review this section on Quantitative Comparison questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuPx9i36Jmg&list=PLD0D070C218D8F5A3&index=17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mkyy6zrp-c&list=PLD0D070C218D8F5A3&index=19
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