Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A tree diagram is a graphical representation used to illustrate all possible outcomes of an event and their probabilities. It consists of branches that demonstrate the sequence of events in a hierarchical manner.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Tree diagrams help visualize complex probability problems by breaking them down into simpler, sequential steps.
Each branch in a tree diagram represents a possible outcome or decision point with an associated probability.
The sum of the probabilities at each level of the tree must equal 1.
Tree diagrams can be used to calculate conditional probabilities by following specific paths through the tree.
They are particularly useful for understanding compound events, where more than one event occurs in sequence.
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Related terms
Conditional Probability: The probability of an event occurring given that another event has already occurred.
Venn Diagram: A graphical illustration used to show relationships between different sets; often used to represent unions, intersections, and complements.
Compound Event: An event formed by combining two or more simple events using the operations 'and' or 'or'.