Outcome

Definition

An outcome is the result of a single trial of a probability experiment. In statistics, it represents one possible event in a set of all possible events.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Outcomes are the basic elements of the sample space.
2. Each outcome is mutually exclusive, meaning no two outcomes can occur simultaneously in a single trial.
3. The probability of any outcome ranges between 0 and 1, inclusively.
4. The sum of the probabilities of all possible outcomes in a sample space equals 1.
5. In complex experiments, each outcome can be represented as an ordered pair or tuple.

Review Questions

• What is the definition of an outcome in probability?
• Can two outcomes occur at the same time in a single trial? Explain.
• How do you calculate the total probability for all outcomes in a sample space?

Related terms

Sample Space:

The set of all possible outcomes in a probability experiment.

Event:

A subset of the sample space; it consists of one or more outcomes.

Probability:

A measure quantifying the likelihood that an event will occur; calculated as the ratio of favorable outcomes to total possible outcomes.