“Probability” and “Odds”

Probability: is the chance of doing

something out of the total possible.

Let’s check an
example….
• TROG likes to roll caveman dice.
• What is the Probability of Trog rolling a
“2” ?
Remember: Probability is the chance of doing
something out of the TOTAL POSSIBLE.
1 chance

6 Possible Outcomes
• The probability of Trog rolling a “2” on the
dice is:

1
6
What percent is that?
1÷6=
= .166666666666666666
…around 16-17%
• What is the probability of Trog rolling an
even number?

3 chances
6 total possible outcomes
 • The probability of Trog rolling an even
number is:

3 = 1
6 2
What is the percent? (you should know this one
by heart!!)
50%
• The FANCY MATH WAY to
write probability of something is like this:

P(something)
 What is the probability of getting
“heads” when you flip a coin?

Instead of writing “What is the probability…”

You can use the FANCY MATH

WAY :
1
P(heads) = = 50%
2
 That is Probability…..
…what about “ODDS” ?
 NEWS FLASH!
“ODDS” and “PROBABILITY”
are

NOT THE
SAME ! ! ! ! !
 • Odds and Probability are NOT THE
SAME!!!!!

“Probability” is : Total Chances

Total Possible

“Odds” is : Total Chances

What’s left over
 What are the Odds of Trog
rolling an even number?

3 chances
3 left over
 • The Odds of Trog rolling an even number
are:

3 = 1
3 1
Odds are usually written like this 1:1
• What are the ODDS that Trog rolls a “3” ?

1
5
= 1:5
• What are the odds against rolling a “4”?

5
1 5:1
 Putting it together.
• The weather station says there is a 40%
probability of rain tomorrow. What are the
odds that it will rain?
 • Remember ODDS compares the chance
of something happening vs. something not
happening!!!

4
Chance of rain happening:
= = 40%
2
6
Chance of rain NOT
happening. 3
60%
(The leftovers)
2 : 3 are the odds that it will rain.