Probability Notes for JKSSB Competitive Examinations
(Basic to Advanced with Practice Questions – Home Academy)
1. Introduction to Probability
Probability is the branch of mathematics that deals with the chance of occurrence of an event.
Formula:
Where:
P(E) = Probability of event E
n(E) = Number of favourable outcomesn(S) = Total outcomes (Sample Space)
2. Important Terms
(a) Experiment
An action that produces outcomes.
Examples:
Tossing a coin
Throwing a dieDrawing a card
(b) Trial
Performing an experiment once.
Example:
One coin toss = One trial.
(c) Outcome
Result of an experiment.
Example:
Coin Toss → H (Head) or T (Tail)
(d) Sample Space (S)
Set of all possible outcomes.
Examples:
Coin:
Die:
(e) Event
A set of favourable outcomes.
Example:
Getting an even number on a die.
3. Types of Events
1. Sure Event
Probability = 1
Example:
Getting a number less than 7 on a die.
2. Impossible Event
Probability = 0
Example:
Getting 8 on a die.
3. Equally Likely Events
All outcomes have equal chance.
Example:
Fair coin.
4. Mutually Exclusive Events
Cannot happen together.
Example:
Getting 2 and 5 in one die throw.
5. Independent Events
Occurrence of one does not affect another.
Example:
Two coin tosses.
4. Probability of Coin Toss
One Coin
| Outcome | Probability |
|---|---|
| Head | 1/2 |
| Tail | 1/2 |
Total outcomes = 4
Probability of:
Two Heads = 1/4
One Head = 2/4 = 1/2
No Head = 1/4
Three Coins
Total outcomes:
5. Probability of Dice
A die has 6 faces.
Example:
Probability of getting an even number:
Even numbers = 2,4,6
6. Probability of Cards
A deck contains:
Total Cards = 52
Red Cards = 26
Black Cards = 26
Hearts = 13
Diamonds = 13
Clubs = 13
Spades = 13
Face Cards:
Jack = 4
Queen = 4
King = 4
Total Face Cards = 12
Example:
Probability of drawing a King:
7. Complementary Probability
Example:
Probability of getting an even number on die:
Probability of not getting even:
8. Addition Rule
For mutually exclusive events:
Example:
Probability of getting 1 or 2 on a die:
9. Multiplication Rule
For independent events:
Example:
Two Heads in two coin tosses:
10. Conditional Probability
This is important for higher-level exams.
Important Probability Formulas
| Formula | Expression |
|---|---|
| Basic Probability | |
| Complement | |
| Addition | |
| Multiplication | |
| Conditional | (P(A |
n Coins:
Dice
n Dice:
Cards
Total Cards = 52
Practice Questions (Solved)
Q1.
A coin is tossed once. Find probability of Head.
Solution:
Q2.
Find probability of getting an odd number on a die.
Odd numbers = 1,3,5
Q3.
Two coins are tossed. Find probability of exactly one Head.
Sample Space:
HH, HT, TH, TT
Favourable = HT, TH
Q4.
A card is drawn. Find probability of Ace.
Q5.
Two dice are thrown. Probability of sum = 7.
Favourable:
(1,6), (2,5), (3,4), (4,3), (5,2), (6,1)
Total outcomes = 36
JKSSB MCQs
1. Probability always lies between:
A) 0 and 1
B) 1 and 2
C) -1 and 1
D) 0 and 2
Answer: A
2. Probability of sure event is:
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 1/2
Answer: B
3. Probability of impossible event is:
A) 0
B) 1
C) 1/2
D) 2
Answer: A
4. Total outcomes when 3 coins are tossed:
A) 6
B) 8
C) 9
D) 12
Answer: B
5. Total outcomes when 2 dice are thrown:
A) 12
B) 24
C) 36
D) 18
Answer: C
Statement Type Questions
Statement I:
Probability of a sure event is 1.
Statement II:
Probability of an impossible event is 0.
A) Both true
B) Both false
C) Only I true
D) Only II true
Answer: A
Statement I:
A fair coin has two equally likely outcomes.
Statement II:
Probability of Head is 1/3.
Answer: Only Statement I is true.
Previous Exam Level Questions
Two dice are thrown. Find probability of getting sum greater than 9.
A card is drawn. Find probability of a face card.
Three coins are tossed. Find probability of exactly two Heads.
One die is thrown. Find probability of prime number.
A bag contains 5 red and 3 blue balls. Find probability of selecting a red ball.