7.4 Tree Diagrams, Tables, and Outcomes

2 min readjune 18, 2024

Tree diagrams and tables are powerful tools for visualizing outcomes. They help break down complex scenarios into manageable parts, making it easier to calculate and understand the likelihood of different events occurring.

These visual aids are especially useful for multi-stage experiments. By mapping out all possible outcomes, we can more easily identify the and calculate probabilities for specific events or of events.

Probability with Tree Diagrams and Tables

Tree diagrams for probability outcomes

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  • Visually represent possible outcomes of a probability
    • Branches represent possible outcomes (coin flip - heads or tails)
    • Probabilities written along each (heads - 0.5, tails - 0.5)
  • Create by identifying first and listing all possible outcomes
    • For each , identify second event and list possible outcomes
    • Continue for all subsequent events (first flip - heads or tails, second flip - heads or tails)
  • Multiply probabilities along each to find probability of specific outcome ()
    • Two heads in a row: 0.5 × 0.5 = 0.25
  • Sum of probabilities of all outcomes equals 1
    • Ensures all possible outcomes accounted for
    • Validates construction

Tables for independent event combinations

  • Organize and display all possible combinations of two events
    • Rows represent outcomes of one event (die roll - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
    • Columns represent outcomes of other event (coin flip - heads, tails)
  • Construct by listing outcomes of first event in first column
    • List outcomes of second event in first row
    • Fill in cells with corresponding outcome combinations (1 and heads, 1 and tails, etc.)
  • Total number of combinations is of number of outcomes for each event
    • Die (6 outcomes) and coin (2 outcomes): 6 × 2 = 12 total combinations
  • Helps visualize and count all possible combinations systematically

Sample space in multi-stage experiments

  • Set of all possible outcomes of a probability experiment
    • Multi-stage experiments include all combinations of outcomes from each stage
  • List using tree diagram by following each path from start to end
    • Each complete path represents one outcome (coin flip then die roll: heads and 1, heads and 2, etc.)
  • List using table by considering each cell as one outcome
    • Each unique row-column pair is an outcome in the
  • Number of outcomes equals product of number of outcomes at each stage
    • Two-stage experiment with 2 outcomes in first stage and 3 in second: 2 × 3 = 6 outcomes
  • Crucial for calculating probabilities and understanding scope of experiment

Additional Probability Concepts

  • : Probability of an event occurring given that another event has already occurred
  • : Events that cannot occur simultaneously
  • : Graphical representation of set relationships, useful for visualizing probability concepts
  • : Used to calculate the probability of either one event or another occurring

Key Terms to Review (28)

Addition Rule: The addition rule is a fundamental principle in probability that determines the likelihood of the occurrence of at least one of several events. It connects various outcomes and probabilities, particularly when events are mutually exclusive or not, and plays a key role in analyzing situations using tree diagrams and tables. Understanding the addition rule allows for effective calculation of probabilities in more complex scenarios involving permutations, combinations, and conditional probabilities.
Branch: In the context of tree diagrams and trees, a branch is a line or segment that connects nodes and represents the relationship between them. Each branch signifies a possible outcome or decision point, illustrating how different choices can lead to various results. The structure of branches helps organize information clearly, making it easier to analyze complex scenarios.
Combination: A combination is a selection of items from a larger set where the order of selection does not matter. Understanding combinations helps in various scenarios such as calculating probabilities, forming groups, and organizing outcomes where the sequence is irrelevant, linking directly to concepts like counting rules, permutations, and probability calculations.
Combinations: Combinations refer to the selection of items from a larger set where order does not matter. They are used to determine how many ways a subset of items can be chosen from the entire set without regard to the sequence of selection.
Compound event: A compound event is an event that consists of two or more simple events. It can involve the union, intersection, or complement of these simple events.
Conditional Probability: Conditional probability refers to the likelihood of an event occurring given that another event has already occurred. This concept is essential for understanding how different events can influence one another, especially when using tools like tree diagrams, tables, and outcomes to visualize probabilities, as well as when dealing with permutations and combinations.
Dependent: Events are dependent if the outcome or occurrence of the first affects the outcome or occurrence of the second. In probability, dependency changes how probabilities are calculated.
Directed path: A directed path in a graph is a sequence of vertices where each adjacent pair is connected by a directed edge, following the direction from one vertex to the next. The order of vertices and the direction of edges are crucial for defining such a path.
Empirical probability: Empirical probability is the probability of an event determined by conducting experiments or observing real-life occurrences. It is calculated as the ratio of the number of favorable outcomes to the total number of trials.
Event: An event is a specific outcome or a set of outcomes from a probability experiment, often relating to the occurrence of certain results when conducting trials. Understanding events is crucial in analyzing combinations of outcomes, visualizing possibilities through diagrams and tables, and calculating probabilities in various scenarios.
Experiment: An experiment is a procedure carried out to support, refute, or validate a hypothesis within the framework of probability. It involves observing outcomes that can be analyzed to draw conclusions.
Independent: Independent events are two or more events where the occurrence of one does not affect the occurrence of the other. In probability, independence means that knowing the outcome of one event gives no information about the other event's outcome.
Independent Event: An independent event refers to an occurrence in probability where the outcome of one event does not affect the outcome of another event. This concept is crucial for understanding how probabilities interact, particularly when using tools like tree diagrams or tables to illustrate possible outcomes in a systematic way.
Multi-stage experiment: A multi-stage experiment is a systematic approach to conducting experiments that involves multiple stages or steps, where the outcome of one stage influences the subsequent stages. This method allows for more complex scenarios to be analyzed, showcasing a range of possible outcomes based on different initial conditions or decisions made at each stage. The process can be visually represented through tree diagrams or organized using tables to illustrate the relationships between different outcomes.
Multiplication Rule: The Multiplication Rule is a fundamental principle in counting and probability that states if there are multiple independent events, the total number of possible outcomes can be found by multiplying the number of choices for each event. This rule connects different aspects of combinatorial counting, outcome analysis, and probability calculations, allowing us to determine the likelihood of various outcomes occurring together.
Multiplication Rule for Counting: The Multiplication Rule for Counting is a fundamental principle used to determine the total number of possible outcomes in a sequence of events. It states that if one event can occur in \(m\) ways and a second event can occur independently in \(n\) ways, then the two events together can occur in \(m imes n\) ways.
Mutually exclusive events: Mutually exclusive events are outcomes that cannot occur at the same time. If one event happens, it excludes the possibility of the other occurring simultaneously. This concept is fundamental in probability and helps in analyzing outcomes using various methods, making it easier to calculate the likelihood of different events happening.
Outcome: An outcome is a possible result of a random experiment or event, which can be described in terms of the various scenarios that could occur. It connects to counting techniques, probability rules, and methods for organizing and visualizing data, all of which are essential for understanding how outcomes influence decision-making and predictions in uncertain situations.
Path: In the context of graph theory and related fields, a path is a sequence of edges that connects a sequence of vertices without revisiting any vertex. Paths are essential for understanding various structures and algorithms within graph representation, as they reveal how different points are interconnected. They play a crucial role in navigating graphs and analyzing routes in different scenarios.
Probability: Probability is a measure of the likelihood that an event will occur, expressed as a number between 0 and 1, where 0 indicates impossibility and 1 indicates certainty. It connects various mathematical concepts by providing a framework to assess and quantify uncertainty in different scenarios, helping to determine outcomes based on different arrangements, selections, and occurrences.
Product: In mathematics, the product is the result of multiplying two or more numbers or expressions together. It represents a fundamental operation that connects various concepts like counting outcomes, organizing data in tables, and visualizing possibilities through tree diagrams. The product is essential in calculating total outcomes when dealing with multiple events or choices.
Replicated: Replicated events are repeated instances of the same experiment or process to observe consistent outcomes. In probability, replication helps verify statistical accuracy and reliability of results.
Sample space: Sample space is the set of all possible outcomes in a probability experiment. It provides a comprehensive list of everything that could happen during the experiment.
Sample Space: A sample space is the set of all possible outcomes of a random experiment. Understanding the sample space is crucial because it forms the foundation for calculating probabilities, counting outcomes, and analyzing events in various contexts.
Tree diagram: A tree diagram is a visual representation used to illustrate all possible outcomes of a sequence of events, where each branch represents a choice or outcome. This tool simplifies the process of counting outcomes by breaking them down into smaller, manageable parts, allowing for the application of the multiplication rule effectively. By using tree diagrams, one can easily visualize complex relationships and dependencies between different events or choices.
Two-way table: A two-way table is a statistical tool used to display the relationship between two categorical variables, allowing for the analysis of their interactions and associations. It organizes data into rows and columns, where each cell represents the frequency or count of occurrences for each combination of variable categories. This structure helps in visualizing patterns, making comparisons, and calculating probabilities related to the outcomes represented in the table.
Venn diagram: A Venn diagram is a visual representation of sets and their relationships, using overlapping circles to illustrate how different sets intersect, are separate, or share common elements. This tool helps in understanding basic set concepts and is widely used in various mathematical operations involving two or more sets, including logical arguments, probabilities, and outcomes.
Venn diagram with three intersecting sets: A Venn diagram with three intersecting sets is a diagram that uses three overlapping circles to represent all possible logical relations between the sets. Each region within the diagram corresponds to different combinations of inclusion and exclusion among the sets.
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