Section 1
Defining Simple and Compound Events
Property
A simple event is an event with a single outcome or consisting of one experiment. A compound event consists of two or more simple events.
Examples
- Simple Event: Rolling a single six-sided die and getting a 4.
- Simple Event: Flipping a coin and getting heads.
- Compound Event: Rolling a die and flipping a coin.
- Compound Event: Choosing a marble from a bag, and then choosing a second marble.
Explanation
Understanding the difference between simple and compound events is crucial for determining the correct way to calculate probabilities. A simple event involves just one action, like rolling one die or spinning one spinner. A compound event combines two or more of these simple actions, such as rolling two dice or flipping a coin three times. The methods for finding the total number of outcomes, like the Fundamental Counting Principle, apply specifically to compound events.