Flashcards Probability and Combinatorics: Key Concepts and Definitions

Sample space

The set of all possible outcomes of a probability experiment

Factorial

The product of the natural numbers less than or equal to the number

Event

An outcome or set of outcomes in a probability experiment

Permutation

An arrangement of a group of objects in which order is important

Fundamental Counting Principle

For n items, if there are m1 ways to choose a first item, m2 ways to choose a second item after the first item has been chosen, and so on, then there are m1 x m2 x ... x mn ways to choose n items

Combination

A selection of a group of objects in which order is not important

Simple event

An event consisting of only one outcome

Dependent events

Events for which the occurrence or non-occurrence of one event affects the probability of the other event

Independent events

Events for which the occurrence or non-occurrence of one event does not affect the probability of the other event

Compound event

An event made up of two or more simple events

Conditional probability

The probability of event B, given that event A has already occurred or is certain to occur, denoted P(B/A)