Introduction to Probability – 3.1

Probability I – Edexcel (9MA0)

In this course, Professor Duncan Lee (University of Glasgow) explores probability, covering Topics 3.1 and 3.3 in the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0) Specification for A Level. In the first mini-lecture, we introduce probability, discussing basic definitions and how to compute probabilities (Topic 3.1). In the second mini-lecture, we explore probability models and logical operators (Topics 3.1, 3.3). In the third mini-lecture, we learn about mutually exclusive and independent events (Topic 3.1). In the fourth mini-lecture, we recall how to represent outcomes and probabilities with tree diagrams (Topic 3.1). In the fifth mini-lecture, we discuss probability models describing discrete and continuous data (Topics 3.1, 3.3).

Introduction to Probability – 3.1

In this mini-lecture, we begin with Topic 3.1 by introducing probability and how to do basic computations. In particular, we consider: (i) various definitions of probability; (ii) careers and real-world applications that involve probability; (iii) the definitions of experiment, outcome, sample space (aka universal set), event, null set, frequency; (iv) using a decimal, percentage, or fraction to represent a probability; (v) how to interpret probabilities; (vi) how to compute probabilities using relative frequencies; and (vii) a probability computation involving a coin toss.