• Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your results!
    Let us know how you went here
    Got a question about your uni preferences? Ask us here

Probability: Product and Addition rule confusion (1 Viewer)

Weeber

Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2012
Messages
97
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
Hi guys,

Q: 2 Dice are thrown and their sum noted, find the probability of getting a total of 2.

Since there are 2 Dies (let's call them A and B) wouldn't the solution be P(1A,1B) or P(1B,1A)?

so (1/6 x 1/6) + (1/6 x 1/6)?

Thank you.

Answer says something else.
 
Last edited:

Trebla

Administrator
Administrator
Joined
Feb 16, 2005
Messages
8,402
Gender
Male
HSC
2006
Hi guys,

Q: 2 Dice are thrown and their sum noted, find the probability of getting a total of 2.

Since there are 2 Dies (let's call them A and B) wouldn't the solution be P(1A,1B) or P(1B,1A)?

so (1/6 x 1/6) + (1/6 x 1/6)?

Thank you.

Answer says something else.
The dice are treated as identical. When you order two identical numbers (1 + 1) then you only count it once whereas if you order two distinct numbers (say 2 and 3) then you count twice (2 + 3 and 3 + 2).

Intuitively if you think about the 1 and 1 case, each die can only roll a single particular number whereas the 2 and 3 case, each die can roll two possible numbers (2 or 3) provided the other die rolls the other number.
 

Weeber

Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2012
Messages
97
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
Could you go through the working out please.
 

Smile12345

Active Member
Joined
May 30, 2013
Messages
827
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2014
Could you go through the working out please.
This is one way to do it. Probably the most straight forward. :)

1. Draw up a table - 7 squares by 7 squares.

2. Leave the first square blank.

3. Then write 1 - 6 across the table and 1 - 6 down the table... :)

4. Then complete each addition required until you have completed the table.

i.e. going across the 2nd row.... 1 + 1 = 2, 1 + 2 = 3, 1 + 3 = 4 ............... right to 6 + 6 = 12

5. Now, you have 36 answers in total .... How many of these are two (you needed the two numbers to add to 2)??

6. There is only one option (1 + 1) so we get 1/36...

:)
 
Last edited:

Weeber

Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2012
Messages
97
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
This is one way to do it. Probably the most straight forward. :)

1. Draw up a table - 7 squares by 7 squares.

2. Leave the first square blank.

3. Then write 1 - 6 across the table and 1 - 6 down the table... :)

4. Then complete each addition required until you have completed the table.

i.e. going across the 2nd row.... 1 + 1 = 2, 1 + 2 = 3, 1 + 3 = 4 ............... right to 6 + 6 = 12

5. Now, you have 36 answers in total .... How many of these are two (you needed the two numbers to add to 2)??

6. There is only one option (1 + 1) so we get 1/36...

:)
I meant using the product rule?
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top