The probability of any event is a measure of how likely it is to occur, typically expressed as a number between 0 and 1, or alternatively as a percentage between 0% and 100%.
For an event that is certain to occur, we assign a probability of 1 (or 100%). This means that there is no doubt that this event will happen. For example, if we say that the sun will rise tomorrow, we consider this event to have a probability of 1.
On the other hand, an event that is impossible has a probability of 0 (or 0%). This signifies that there is no chance whatsoever of this event happening. A classic example would be trying to roll a six on a standard six-sided die when what we’re actually rolling is a ten-sided die. In such a case, it is impossible, and we assign a probability of 0.
To summarize:
- Probability of an event certain to occur (Event A) = 1
- Probability of an event that is impossible (Event B) = 0
Understanding the probabilities of events is fundamental in fields such as statistics, game theory, and even everyday decision-making. By grasping these concepts, individuals can make more informed choices based on likely outcomes.