概率计算规则.pdfVIP

4.5: (CD-ROM Topic) Counting Rules CD4-1 4.5 (CD-ROM Topic) COUNTING RULES In Equation (4.1) on page 149, the probability of occurrence of an outcome was defined as the number of ways the outcome occurs divided by the total number of possible outcomes. In many instances, there are a large number of possible outcomes, and determining the exact number can be difficult. In these circumstances, rules for counting the number of possible outcomes have been developed. In this section, five different counting rules are presented. COUNTING RULE 1 If any one of k different mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive events can occur on each of n trials, the number of possible outcomes is equal to kn (4.10) EXAMPLE 4.11 COUNTING RULE 1 Suppose you toss a coin five times. What is the number of different possible outcomes (that is, the sequences of heads and tails)? SOLUTION If you toss a coin (having two sides) five times, using Equation (4.10), the num- ber of outcomes is 25 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 32. EXAMPLE 4.12 ROLLING A DIE TWICE Suppose you roll a die twice. How many different possible outcomes can occur? SOLUTION If a die (having six sides) is rolled twice, using Equation (4.10), the number of different outcomes is 62 = 36. The second counting