1. Sample Space: The Counting Principle By: The Math Ladies

2. The Counting Principle The counting principle is used to determine the number of possible outcomes from 2 or more independent events. If the first event has x possible outcomes and the second event has y possible outcomes, then together they have x times y, or xy, possible outcomes. Let’s look at a few examples….

3. The Classic Example: The Number Cube and the Spinner The sample space, or the total number of possible outcomes from rolling the number cube and spinning the spinner is 6 x 4, or 24. The number cube has 6 sides numbered 1 through 6. It has 6 possible outcomes. The spinner has green, red, yellow, and blue. It has 4 possible outcomes.

4. Possible Outfit Combinations The Shirts The Pants

5. Review The sample space is all the possible outcomes from all the independent events. The first event has x possible outcomes. The second independent event has y possible outcomes. The sample space, or total possible outcomes, is x times y, or xy.

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