What is the Definition of Possible Outcomes?
Possible outcomes represent a list of all the resulting possibilities from an event.
Understanding Possible Outcomes
In probability and statistics, an 'event' is any happening for which the result is uncertain. The possible outcomes are the complete set of every single result that could happen during that event. It's essential to identify all possible outcomes to calculate probabilities or understand the likelihood of specific results.
Examples of Possible Outcomes
Consider common chance events:
- Flipping a Coin: The possible outcomes are getting a Head or getting a Tail. There are only two possibilities.
- Rolling a Standard Six-Sided Die: As stated in the reference, when rolling a die, the possible outcomes are:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
This gives a total of 6 possible outcomes.
- Drawing a Card from a Standard Deck: The possible outcomes are every single card in the deck (52 cards, excluding jokers).
Possible Outcomes vs. Favorable Outcomes
It's important to distinguish between all possible outcomes and a favorable outcome. The reference defines a favorable outcome as the specific result(s) that are desired from an event.
Here's a quick comparison based on the reference:
| Term | Definition | Example (Rolling a Die) |
|---|---|---|
| Possible Outcomes | A list of all the resulting possibilities from an event | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Favorable Outcome | The result that is desired | If you want to roll a 4, then 4 is the only favorable outcome |
In essence, the set of favorable outcomes is always a subset of the possible outcomes.
