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Year 9 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 bag holds 5 red balls and 3 blue balls. One is drawn without looking. What is the probability that it is red? Write your answer as a fraction.

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

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

    Groups: Impossible · Possible but not certain · Certain

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

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

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

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

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

  7. 7.A fair die numbered 1 to 6 is rolled. Which of these is impossible?

    • a) Getting a 6
    • b) Getting a number less than 3
    • c) Getting an odd number
    • d) Getting a 7

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

Answer key — Year 9 Maths — Chance and probability

  1. 1. 5/8
  2. 2. 1/6
  3. 3. 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
  4. 4. 7/10
  5. 5. 1/2
  6. 6. d) 1
  7. 7. d) Getting a 7
  8. 8. 1/2