
The counting principle, sometimes referred to as the counting rule or multiplication principle, is an easy way to figure out the number of possible outcomes (i.e., sample space). In other words, it is how we calculate the sample space. All we have to do is multiply the events together to get the total number of outcomes.
How can you work out what a sample space is?
- what is the sample space?
- P (5)
- P (Even)
- P (Prime)
- P (7)
How to determine the sample space?
What are the 5 rules of probability?
- Probability Rule One (For any event A, 0 ≤ P (A) ≤ 1)
- Probability Rule Two (The sum of the probabilities of all possible outcomes is 1)
- Probability Rule Three (The Complement Rule)
- Probabilities Involving Multiple Events.
- Probability Rule Four (Addition Rule for Disjoint Events)
What is the formula for sample space?
To determine how well you understand the lesson, questions on the quiz ask you about these topics:
- Defining 'sample space'
- The formula for finding the sample space
- Solving for the sample space
- Finding the sample space with only one value given
What is the probability of sample space?
The probability of an event is given by the relative frequency of favorable outcomes within the overall sample space of all outcomes. The sample space is a set, or collection, which can often be represented as a list. Elements in the list are simply labels for the distinct outcomes of an experiment.
What is sample space?
What is the counting rule?

How do you calculate the sample space?
There isn't a set formula for finding the sample space unless you are given (or can solve for) the probability and specific event values. You then use the formula P = Specific Event / Sample Space, plug in the P and SE values, and cross multiply to find the SS.
What is a sample space in statistics?
Key Takeaway. The sample space of a random experiment is the collection of all possible outcomes. An event associated with a random experiment is a subset of the sample space.
What is the sample space of 52 cards?
The sample space of 52 cards is all 52 possible outcomes, which is {Ace of Hearts, two of hearts, three of hearts...etc}.
What are the three methods used to identify sample spaces?
The three most common ways to find a sample space are: To List All the Possible Outcomes. Create a Tree-Diagram. Use a Venn Diagram.
What is a Sample Space?
The sample space of an experiment is all the possible outcomes for that experiment. A couple of simple examples:
Large Sample Spaces
The more items you throw in the mix, the more complicated it becomes. How do you make sure you don’t miss an item in the sample space?
The Counting Principle
Sample problem: If shoes come in 6 styles with 3 possible colors, how many varieties of shoes are there?
Common Sample Spaces
Sample spaces abound and are infinite in number. But there are a few that are frequently used for examples in an introductory statistics or probability course. Below are the experiments and their corresponding sample spaces:
Forming Other Sample Spaces
The above list includes some of the most commonly used sample spaces. Others are out there for different experiments. It is also possible to combine several of the above experiments. When this is done, we end up with a sample space that is the Cartesian product of our individual sample spaces.
What is tree diagram?
A tree diagram is an organized way of writing out all the possible outcomes of an experiment. It is a useful tool in determining the members of a sample space. It can also be used in determining outcomes for an event.
How many ways are there in a math quiz?
Answer: There are two ways of answering the first question (T or F), two ways of answering the second question (T or F) and two ways of answering the third question (T or F). According to the fundamental counting principle, there are 2 times 2 times 2 = 8 ways of answering the quiz.
How many plates are there in a plate of rice and salmon?
Of these plates, there are 3 (number of vegetable choices) times 2 (number of dairy choices) = 6 plates with rice and salmon. For the plates with rice and salmon, only the vegetable and dairy can vary.
What is the fundamental counting principle?
The fundamental counting principle states that if the first activity can be done in m ways and a second activity can be done in n ways then the first activity followed by the second activity can be done in m times n ways. Let's discuss the principle using a simple example.
What is random experiment?
A random experiment is one where you cannot be absolutely sure what the outcome would be prior to performing the experiment. An outcome is a possible result of the experiment. Each side of the die has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 dots.
What is a nutritionist?
A nutritionist is devising a meal plan for a local high school. Each plate would have one carbohydrate, one protein, one vegetable and one dairy. The table shows what the school has available in the cafeteria for each food group. Carbohydrate.
Examples of Sample Spaces
Suppose we toss a coin one time. If we let H = the coin lands on heads and T = the coin lands on tails, then the sample space for this coin toss is:
The Fundamental Counting Principle
The fundamental counting principle is a way to calculate the total number of potential outcomes of an experiment.
Visualizing Sample Spaces with Tree Diagrams
When the number of outcomes in a sample space is large, it can be helpful to construct a tree diagram to visualize the different combinations of outcomes.
Calculating Probabilities of Outcomes in Sample Spaces
Once we have identified the sample space of some experiment, we can calculate the probability of some event A occurring by using the following formula:
Tossing a Coin
When flipping a coin, two outcomes are possible, such as head and tail. Therefore the sample space for this experiment is given as
Tossing Two Coins
When flipping two coins, the number of possible outcomes are four. Let, H 1 and T 1 be the head and tail of the first coin and H 2 and T 2 be the head and tail of the second coin respectively and the sample space can be written as
A Die is Thrown
When a single die is thrown, it has 6 outcomes since it has 6 faces. Therefore, the sample is given as
Two Dice are Thrown
When two dice are thrown together, we will get 36 pairs of possible outcomes. Each face of the first die can fall with all the six faces of the second die. As there are 6 x 6 possible pairs, it becomes 36 outcomes. The 36 outcome pairs are written as:
What is sample space?
A sample space is the set of all possible outcomes of a statistical experiment, and it is sometimes referred to as a probability space. And outcomes are observations of the experiment, and they are sometimes referred to as sample points. An event is a subset of a sample space as discussed by Shafer and Zhang.
What is the counting rule?
The counting principle, sometimes referred to as the counting rule or multiplication principle, is an easy way to figure out the number of possible outcomes (i.e., sample space). In other words, it is how we calculate the sample space. All we have to do is multiply the events together to get the total number of outcomes.

Law of Large Numbers
Sample Space and Events
- And this leads us to sample spaces and events. What is the sample space? And what is an event? A sample space is the set of all possible outcomes of a statistical experiment, and it is sometimes referred to as a probability space. And outcomes are observations of the experiment, and they are sometimes referred to as sample points. An event is a sub...
Sample Space – Lesson & Examples
- 52 min 1. Introduction to Video: Sample Space and Events 2. 00:00:39– Identifying sample points and sample spaces (Examples #1-3) 3. Exclusive Content for Members Only 1. 00:07:16– Identifying statements and rules for large or infinite sample spaces (Examples #4-5) 2. 00:14:07– What is an event? How do we identify subspaces (Example #6) 3. 00:18:27– Identify the sample …