Probability

Area of study- Probability and Statistics (Unit 1)

From the 2016-2021 Mathematics VCAA study design.

In this area of study students cover the concepts of event, frequency, probability and representation of finite sample spaces and events using various forms such as lists, grids, venn diagrams, karnaugh maps, tables and tree diagrams. This includes consideration of impossible, certain, complementary, mutually exclusive, conditional and independent events involving one, two or three events (as applicable), including rules for computation of probabilities for compound events.

Key Skills and Knowledge (Outlines from Outcome 1 of 2016-2021 Mathematics VCAA study design)

• forms of representation of sample spaces and events
• that probabilities for a given sample space are non-negative and the sum of these probabilities is one
• set up probability simulations, and describe the notion of randomness, variability and its relation to events
• calculate probabilities for compound events using rules and tree diagrams, by hand in simple cases
• solve probability problems involving karnaugh maps and tree diagrams, by hand in simple cases.

Assessment Overview

Topic tests will assess:

• key knowledge and skills,
• ability to problem-solve and use the mathematics in context,
• use of the CAS, to assist problem-solving