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Year 6 Maths — Chance and probability

Say how likely an event is, and write its probability as a fraction.

Name: ________________________

Before you start

Every chance there is sits somewhere on this line, from impossible at one end to certain at the other. Move along it.

0.00.51.0

0.5 in the middle is an even chance — as likely to happen as not. To the left of it things are unlikely and to the right they are likely, and nothing at all lives past the two ends.

  1. 1.A fair die numbered 1 to 6 is rolled. Match each event to its probability.

    • Rolling a 3
    • Rolling an odd number
    • Rolling a number above 4
    • Rolling a number below 7
    • Rolling a 9
    • 1/2
    • 1/3
    • 1/6
    • 0
    • 1

  2. 2.The probability that it rains tomorrow is 3/10. What is the probability that it does not rain? Write your answer as a fraction.

  3. 3.A fair coin is tossed. What is the probability of getting a head? Write your answer as a fraction.

  4. 4.A fair die numbered 1 to 6 is rolled. What is the probability of getting a 4? Write your answer as a fraction.

  5. 5.A spinner has 8 equal sections numbered 1 to 8. What is the probability of landing on a number greater than 5? Write your answer as a fraction.

  6. 6.An event that is certain to happen has which probability?

    • a) 1
    • b) 1/2
    • c) 0
    • d) 100

  7. 7.Sort each event by how likely it is.

    Groups: Impossible · Possible but not certain · Certain

    • Rolling an even number on a die numbered 1 to 6
    • Drawing a red ball from a bag of only red balls
    • Rolling a 7 on a die numbered 1 to 6
    • Rolling a number below 7 on a die numbered 1 to 6
    • Drawing a blue ball from a bag of only red balls
    • Tossing a fair coin and getting a tail

  8. 8.Put these events in order, least likely first.

    • Rolling a number below 7 on a die numbered 1 to 6
    • Rolling a 5 on a die numbered 1 to 6
    • Rolling a number above 4 on a die numbered 1 to 6
    • Tossing a fair coin and getting a head
    • Rolling a 7 on a die numbered 1 to 6

Answer key — Year 6 Maths — Chance and probability

  1. 1. Rolling a 3 → 1/6; Rolling an odd number → 1/2; Rolling a number above 4 → 1/3; Rolling a number below 7 → 1; Rolling a 9 → 0
  2. 2. 7/10
  3. 3. 1/2
  4. 4. 1/6
  5. 5. 3/8
  6. 6. a) 1
  7. 7. Rolling a 7 on a die numbered 1 to 6 → Impossible; Tossing a fair coin and getting a tail → Possible but not certain; Rolling a number below 7 on a die numbered 1 to 6 → Certain; Drawing a red ball from a bag of only red balls → Certain; Drawing a blue ball from a bag of only red balls → Impossible; Rolling an even number on a die numbered 1 to 6 → Possible but not certain
  8. 8. 1. Rolling a 7 on a die numbered 1 to 6 2. Rolling a 5 on a die numbered 1 to 6 3. Rolling a number above 4 on a die numbered 1 to 6 4. Tossing a fair coin and getting a head 5. Rolling a number below 7 on a die numbered 1 to 6