Outcomes

Definition

Outcomes are the possible results that can occur from a probabilistic experiment. Each outcome is a single realization of what could happen when the experiment is conducted.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In probability, outcomes must be distinct and mutually exclusive.
2. The set of all possible outcomes is called the sample space.
3. For a fair six-sided die, there are 6 possible outcomes: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.
4. In an event involving multiple trials or stages (like flipping two coins), each combination of results counts as a unique outcome.
5. The probability of any single outcome occurring in a uniform probability model is calculated as $\frac{1}{\text{number of possible outcomes}}$.

Review Questions

• What is an outcome in the context of a probabilistic experiment?
• How many possible outcomes are there when flipping three coins?
• Explain how the concept of sample space relates to outcomes.

Related terms

Sample Space:

The set of all possible outcomes in a probabilistic experiment.

Event:

A subset of the sample space; it consists of one or more outcomes.

Probability:

A measure quantifying the likelihood that an event will occur; calculated as the number of favorable outcomes divided by the total number of possible outcomes.