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intro to probability

mike mcgarry
lesson by mike mcgarry
magoosh expert
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probability
summary
the introduction to probability as covered in this module provides a foundational understanding of probability as a ratio, the significance of randomness, and basic strategies for calculating probabilities.
  • probability is defined as a ratio or fraction representing the number of successes over the total number of outcomes, with values ranging between 0 (impossible) and 1 (certain).
  • the concept of randomness in mathematics implies that while individual events are unpredictable, the overall pattern of events is predictable.
  • a simple example of calculating probability is determining the likelihood of a month name containing the letter 'r', which is demonstrated to be 2/3.
  • listing all possibilities is introduced as an elementary strategy for understanding and solving probability problems, though it's acknowledged that more complex strategies will be needed for the gmat exam.
  • the importance of understanding both the unpredictability of individual events and the predictability of the overall pattern is emphasized in the context of randomness.
chapters
00:00
understanding probability
00:20
the ratio nature of probability
03:32
the concept of randomness