List

Probability Short Problems - Age 14-16



This is part of our collection of Short Problems.

You may also be interested in our longer problems on Probability - Stage 4.

Printable worksheets containing selections of these problems are available here

Swapping Sweets
problem

Swapping Sweets

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
If two girls each take a sweet from each other's bags, what is the probability that they end up with what they started with?
Flipping coins
problem

Flipping coins

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
A coin is flipped 4 times. What is the probability of getting heads at least 3 times?
Placeholder: several colourful numbers
problem

Boy or Girl?

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Will the witch make a profit or loss?
Tying the Rope
problem

Tying the Rope

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
What is the probability that two pieces of rope are tied together, when Pat ties two loose ends together?
Collecting Marbles
problem

Collecting Marbles

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
How many marbles need to be taken out to ensure that at least three are of the same colour?
Switch On
problem

Switch On

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
In how many different ways can a row of five "on/off" switches be set so that no two adjacent switches are in the "off" position?
XOXOXO
problem

XOXOXO

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
6 tiles are placed in a row. What is the probability that no two adjacent tiles have the same letter on them?
CD collection
problem

CD collection

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
How many different ways can I arrange the CDs in my collection?
Placeholder: several colourful numbers
problem

Odd Dice

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
These strange dice are rolled. What is the probability that the sum obtained is an odd number?
One or both
problem

One or both

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
Problem 1 was solved by 70% of the pupils. Problem 2 was solved by 60% of them. Can you work out how many pupils took the exam?
Takeaway Time
problem

Takeaway Time

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
Pizza, Indian or Chinese takeaway? If everyone liked at least one, how many only liked Indian?
Placeholder: several colourful numbers
problem

Vegtown Elections

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
What percentage of people voted for the Broccoli party in the Vegtown election?
Counting Kangaroos
problem

Counting Kangaroos

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
Can you work out how many kangaroos Rachel draws in one colour?
Placeholder: several colourful numbers
problem

Numbers or Letters?

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
Which game offers you the best chance of winning?
Domino Match
problem

Domino Match

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
If you take two dominoes from a set at random, what is the probability that they 'match'?
Placeholder: several colourful numbers
problem

face order

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
How many ways can these five faces be ordered?
Placeholder: several colourful numbers
problem

Winning Marble

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
How can this prisoner escape?
Placeholder: several colourful numbers
problem

Dropouts

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
What percentage of students who graduate have never been to France?
Different Digital Clock
problem

Different Digital Clock

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
At how many times between 10 and 11 o'clock are all six digits on a digital clock different?
Medal Ceremony
problem

Medal Ceremony

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
The teacher has forgotten which pupil won which medal. In how many different ways could he give the medals out to the pupils?
Descending Deal
problem

Descending Deal

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
Four cards from a set numbered 1-36 are dealt. What is the probability that they are dealt in order?
Two Girls
problem

Two Girls

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
There are 10 girls in a mixed class. If two pupils are selected, the probability that they are both girls is 0.15. How many boys are in the class?
Phone Call
problem

Phone Call

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
How many different phone numbers are there starting with a 3 and with at most two different digits?