Combining probabilities

  • Squash
    problem

    Squash

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    If the score is 8-8 do I have more chance of winning if the winner is the first to reach 9 points or the first to reach 10 points?
  • Gambling at Monte Carlo
    problem

    Gambling at Monte Carlo

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star

    A man went to Monte Carlo to try and make his fortune. Is his strategy a winning one?

  • Fixing the Odds
    problem

    Fixing the odds

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    You have two bags, four red balls and four white balls. You must put all the balls in the bags although you are allowed to have one bag empty. How should you distribute the balls between the two bags so as to make the probability of choosing a red ball as small as possible and what will the probability be in that case?
  • At least one...
    problem

    At least one...

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    Imagine flipping a coin a number of times. Can you work out the probability you will get a head on at least one of the flips?

  • The Better Choice
    problem

    The better choice

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    Here are two games you can play. Which offers the better chance of winning?

  • Handling Data - Short Problems
    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?

  • Fabric bag open at the top, showing a number of blue marbles.
    problem

    Marbles and bags

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    Two bags contain different numbers of red and blue marbles. A marble is removed from one of the bags. The marble is blue. What is the probability that it was removed from bag A?

  • Same Number!
    problem

    Same number!

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    If everyone in your class picked a number from 1 to 225, do you think any two people would pick the same number?

  • Snooker
    problem

    Snooker

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    A player has probability 0.4 of winning a single game. What is his probability of winning a 'best of 15 games' tournament?