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Probability

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you find the probability of combined events using diagrams and the probability laws?

Two-way tables, sample space diagrams, tree diagrams and Venn diagrams for up to three events; mutually exclusive and exhaustive events; the addition law and the multiplication law for independent events.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Statistics on combined events, covering two-way tables, sample space diagrams, tree diagrams and Venn diagrams for up to three events, mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, the addition law, and the multiplication law for independent events.
10 min answer →

How do you handle conditional probability and tell independent from dependent events?

Formal notation for independent and conditional events; the multiplication law for independent events; the conditional probability formula; dependent events such as selection without replacement.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Statistics on conditional probability and independence, covering the formal notation for independent and conditional events, the multiplication law, the conditional probability formula, and dependent events such as selection without replacement.
10 min answer →

How do you measure probability, and how does relative frequency estimate it?

The probability scale and language of likelihood; calculating theoretical probability; estimating probability from data using relative frequency; experimental probability tending to theoretical as trials increase.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Statistics on probability basics, covering the probability scale and language of likelihood, theoretical probability, estimating probability from data using relative frequency, and why experimental probability tends towards theoretical probability as the number of trials increases.
9 min answer →

How do you find expected frequencies, and what are absolute and relative risk?

Expected frequency from probability; absolute and relative risk expressed as expected frequencies; comparing experimental data with theoretical predictions to detect bias in the design.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Statistics on risk and expected frequency, covering calculating expected frequency from a probability, absolute and relative risk expressed as expected frequencies, and comparing experimental data with theoretical predictions to identify bias in an experiment.
9 min answer →