Independent Events
(KS3, Year 7)
Real Examples of Independent Events
It is easier to understand independent events with examples.Tossing a Coin
If a coin is tossed, the probability of it landing Heads is 1⁄2. If a coin is tossed a 2nd time, the probability of it landing Heads is still 1⁄2. Each toss does not affect the probability of another toss. Coin tosses are independent events.Rolling a Die
If a die is rolled, the probability of getting a 2 is 1⁄6. If a die is rolled a 2nd time, the probability of getting a 2 is still 1⁄6. Each die roll does not affect the probability of another roll. Die rolls are independent events.Top Tip
An Event Is Not Independent If the Probability Changes When It Is Repeated
Probability depends on the number of ways an outcome can occur and how many outcomes there are for an event. For example, when tossing a coin, there is always 1 way a Heads can come up and 2 outcomes (Heads and Tails). These don't change no matter how many times a coin is tossed. Now consider picking the Ace of Spades from a pack of cards, without replacing it. In the 1st pick, there are 52 possible outcomes (one for each card). In the 2nd pick, one card has been removed... ...so the number of possible outcomes has changed... ...so the probability has changed... ...so the event is not independent.Worksheet
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