IXL | Probability of compound events

What is the probability of flipping tails and rolling a one?

Write your answer as a fraction or a whole number. With fractions, use a slash ( / ) to separate the numerator and denominator.

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Learn with an example

question

What is the probability of rolling a four on the first die and a five on the second die?

Write your answer as a fraction or a whole number. With fractions, use a slash ( / ) to separate the numerator and denominator.

key idea

The probability is the number of favorable outcomes out of the number of possible outcomes. The number of outcomes for a compound event is the product of the number of outcomes for each individual event.

solution

Find the number of possible outcomes for the first die. There are 6 numbers on the die, so there are 6 possible outcomes.

Find the number of possible outcomes for the second die. There are 6 numbers on the die, so there are 6 possible outcomes.

Multiply to find the number of combinations:

6 × 6 = 36

There are 36 possible outcomes overall.

Find the number of favorable outcomes for the first die. There is 1 four on the die, so there is 1 favorable outcome.

Find the number of favorable outcomes for the second die. There is 1 five on the die, so there is 1 favorable outcome.

Multiply to find the number of combinations:

1 × 1 = 1

There is 1 favorable outcome overall.

The probability of rolling a four on the first die and a five on the second die is 1 out of 36, or 1/36.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Compound probability

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Teacher tools

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II.12Find the number of outcomes: word problems

II.2Probability of simple events

Lesson: Compound probability

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