In probability, the sample space is a list of all the possible outcomes of an experiment.
Outcomes are the results of an experiment. For example, think about flipping a coin. There are two possible outcomes - a head or a tail. So when we list (or write out) the sample space, we'd write:
{$\text{heads, tails}$heads, tails}
There are some common items used in probability questions, including cards, dice, coins so it's good to be familiar with their characteristics.
- There are $52$52 cards in a standard deck.
- A standard die has $6$6 faces (because it's a cube)
- A coin has $2$2 faces- heads and tails
Examples
Question 1
A jar is filled with $4$4 blue marbles and $3$3 red marbles and one is to be chosen at random. List the sample space.
Think: What are all the possible options for what marble will be selected?
Do: {$\text{blue, red}$blue, red}
Question 2
The spinner below is spun.
List the sample space.
Think: What are all the possible outcomes?
Do: {$\text{yellow, green, red, blue}$yellow, green, red, blue}
Question 3
A standard six-sided die is rolled.
List the sample space.
(Separate outcomes with a comma)
List the sample space for rolling a number strictly less than $3$3. Separate outcomes with a comma.
List the sample space for rolling a number divisible by $3$3. Separate outcomes with a comma.
List the sample space for rolling an even number. Separate outcomes with a comma.