As we all know that probability in statistics states the chance or the likelihood that an event or instance will occur. Meaningly, if you want to study what is the chance of happening in particular even out of all the possible events and point to remember here is that the chance or likelihood of happening of all the events is equal then with the help of probability you can get the result of likelihood of happening of such event. If you are struggling with How to solve the probability problem in statistics then this article will help you to understand the basics of probability and the process to solve the probability.
How to solve the probability problem in statistics?
Table of Contents
There is a set formula to solve probability problems in statistics. Probability of any event is denoted as P (A). Refer the following formula-
P(A) = Fav. No. of cases / total no. of cases.
Fav no. of cases is denoted with small n and total number of population is denoted with capital N.
Terminologies used in Probability in Statistics –
1. Event
The first term to learn in How to solve the probability problem in statistics is Event. In probability, the event is referred to the outcomes which can occur out of the study. Events can be of different types.
Trial events – For this we use trial basis methods to get the outcomes. Under such experiment, conditions of study remain the same and thus all the events which have a possibility to occur are called elementary events. For example, when we throw a dice then we can get any of the results from 1 to 6 then such events that are 1 to 6 are called elementary events.
Compound Event – if you have understood the elementary event then you can easily understand the concept of compound event. When elementary events are combined then it becomes a compound event. Let’s understand through the above example if you want to know the probability of 2, 3 and 4 then such an event consists of three elementary events thus it is called a compound event.
2. Deterministic Experiment
Next term to understand in How to solve the probability problem in statistics is Deterministic Experiment. It is basically the outcome or result which would be the same when done under the same and exact conditions. The best example of such an experiment is lab experiments.
3. Random Experiment
Unlike Deterministic Experiment, the same outcome can occur more than once even if the experiment is done under the exact conditions. For example – coin toss. Every time you toss a coin you can get any of the sides or the same side again and again.
Rules to learn – How to solve the probability problem in statistics
1. Generally, Probability in all cases always lies between 0 and 1. This is why many people get confused and frequently ask how to solve probability problems in statistics.
2. Refer the following to understand what does the probability states-
If the chances of happening an event is 0 then it implies that such an event is impossible in nature and thus will never occur.
Similarly if the probability of an event is 1 then it implies that the event will surely occur.
3. The sum of all the probabilities of all sample points is always equal to 1.
Learn how to solve probability problem in statistics with the help of examples –
1. Suppose you are required to do a statistical experiment by tossing or flipping a coin. So how to solve such a probability problem in statistics. It is very easy as if you flip a coin then you have equal chances of getting heads or tails. So you have a total number of events that is 2. And let’s say you want to know the probability of getting heads by tossing a coin for once. Let put the above mentioned formula –
P (A) = n/N
= 1/2 = 0.5
Here the n is 1 as the event is heads and N is the total number of events is 2.
Thus the probability of getting heads after flipping the coin is 0.5. Hence the probability of getting heads or tails is equal.
2. Let’s take another similar experiment with dice instead of coins to understand how to solve probability problems in statistics. Suppose you throw a dice then you have the possibility of getting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Thus you will have 6 events. Now you want to know the probability of getting all the events on the dice. Total number of events is 6. Let’s take the following events and let’s check the probability of all the events –
Event 1 = 1, Event 2= 2, Event 3 = 3, Event 4 = 4, Event 5 = 5, Event 6 = 6.
Total number of events = 6.
P (1) = event 1/ total number of events = 1/ 6
P (2) = event 2/ total number of events = 1/ 6
P (3) = event 3/ total number of events = 1/ 6
P (4) = event 4/ total number of events = 1/ 6
P (5) = event 5/ total number of events = 1/ 6
P (6) = event 6/ total number of events = 1/ 6
Thus all the events have equal chances that are 1/6.
As we know the sum of all the probabilities shall be 1.
Sum = P(1) + P(2) + P(3) + P(4) + P(5) + P(6)
= 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6
= 1
Conclusion
Probability in statistics can tell you the chance or likeliness of the happening or non-happening of an event. So if you are unsure then you can use the probability to know the chances. Get the best probability assignment help from the experts.
