Past Paper Questions Probability PDF

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Past Paper Questions: Probability
1 A fair five-sided spinner is numbered using the prime numbers

2, 3, 5, 7 and 11. 11
2
(a) In a game, players spin it twice and add the two
numbers obtained. 5 3
(i) Complete the possibility diagram.
Answer (a)(i)
+ 2 3 5 7 11
2 4 5
3
5 10 12
7 12
11
[1]
(ii) Find the probability that the total of the two numbers is
(a) a prime number,
(b) a perfect square.
Answer (a)(ii)(a) ..........................................[1]
(b) ..........................................[1]
(b) In another game, players spin it twice and multiply the two numbers obtained.
Without drawing another possibility diagram, write down the probability that this product
is a prime number.
Answer (b) ....................................................[1]

1
2 (a) Fifty students were asked how many books they each took to school on Monday.
The results are summarised in the table below.
Number of books 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Frequency 10 11 8 3 6 7 4 1
(i) Write down the median.

(ii) Calculate the mean number of books.
(iii) What is the probability that two students, chosen at random, both took 5 books to
school?
Give your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.
Answer (a)(i) ........................................[1]
(ii) .........................................[3]
(iii) ........................................[2]
(b) The fifty students were also asked how long they each took to travel to school.
The results are summarised in the table below.
Time of travel (t minutes) 4⭐t<6 6⭐t<8 8 ⭐ t < 10 10 ⭐ t < 12

Frequency 21 11 13 5
Draw a frequency polygon on the grid below to illustrate this data.
Answer (b)
25
20
15
Frequency
10
0
Time (t minutes)
[2]
2
3 A bag contains 6 red counters and 4 blue counters.
Two counters are taken from the bag at random, without replacement.
(a) Complete the tree diagram below that represents these events.
Answer (a)
First counter Second counter
5 red
9
6 red
10
.......... blue
red
..........
..........
blue
.......... blue
[1]
(b) Expressing your answer as a fraction in its simplest form, calculate the probability that both
counters are the same colour.
Answer (b) ...................................... [2]
4 Abagcontainsredcounters,bluecountersandyellowcounters.
Thereare60countersinthebag.
2
Theprobabilitythatacountertakenatrandomfromthebagisredis .
5
5
Theprobabilitythatacountertakenatrandomfromthebagisblueis .
12
Howmanyyellowcountersareinthebag?
Answer�� [2]
3
5 Kelvin chooses a pair of trousers and a shirt to wear for college.
He chooses grey trousers or black trousers.
He chooses a red shirt or a yellow shirt.
The probability that he chooses grey trousers is 1 .
3
4
The probability that he chooses a red shirt is .
5
His choice of shirt is independent of his choice of trousers.
(a) Complete the tree diagram.
Trousers Shirt
........ Red
Grey
........
........ Yellow
........ Red
........ Black
........ Yellow
[2]
(b) What is the probability that Kelvin chooses grey trousers and a red shirt?
Answer ........................................ [1]
(c) What is the probability that Kelvin does not choose either black trousers or a red shirt?
Answer ........................................ [2]
4
6 Sachin and Zaheer play a game of tennis and a game of badminton.
The results of the games are independent and the games cannot be drawn.
3
The probability that Sachin wins the game of tennis is 4 .
3
The probability that Zaheer wins the game of badminton is 5 .
(a) What is the probability that Sachin wins both games?
Answer ..................................... [1]
(b) What is the probability that Zaheer wins just one of the games?
Answer ..................................... [2]
5
7 In class A there are 10 boys and 15 girls.
In class B there are 20 boys and 10 girls.
One student is picked from each class at random.
(a) Complete the tree diagram to show the probabilities of the possible outcomes.
&ODVV$ &ODVV%
%R\
%R\

*LUO
%R\
*LUO
*LUO
[2]
(b) Find the probability that one student is a boy and one is a girl.
Express your answer as a fraction in its lowest terms.
Answer ..................................... [2]
2 3
Card A Card B Card C
Three cards, A, B and C are marked with the numbers 2, 3 and 4 respectively.
One card is chosen, at random.
A second card is then chosen, at random, from the remaining two cards.
The sum of the numbers on the two chosen cards is calculated.
(a) What is the probability that the sum is 3?
Answer ..................................... [1]
(b) Complete the table to show all the possible outcomes.

You may not need all the columns. [1]
First card A
Second card B
Sum 5
(c) What is the probability that the sum is 7?
Answer ..................................... [1]

6
9 On a plate there are ten biscuits.
Four of the biscuits are round and six of the biscuits are square.
Sabah chooses a biscuit at random from the plate and eats it.
She then chooses another biscuit at random from the plate.
The tree diagram shows the possible outcomes and some of their probabilities.
First biscuit Second biscuit
............ round
4 round
10
square
............
............ round
6
10
square
square
............
(a) Complete the tree diagram. [2]
(b) Calculate the probability that Sabah chooses
(i) two round biscuits,
Answer .......................................................... [1]
(ii) one round biscuit and one square biscuit.
Answer .......................................................... [2]
7
10 Luis has 3 black pens and 7 red pens in a case.
He takes two pens from the case at random without replacement.
(a) Complete the tree diagram to show the possible outcomes and their probabilities.
First pen Second pen
2 black
9
black
3
10
red
............
............ black
............ red
red
............
[1]
(b) Find, as a fraction in its lowest terms, the probability that
(i) Luis takes two black pens,
Answer .............................................................. [1]
(ii) Luis takes two different coloured pens.
Answer .............................................................. [2]
8
11 A bag contains 5 balls, of which 3 are red and 2 are blue.
One ball is taken, at random, from the bag and is not replaced.
If this ball is red, another ball is taken, at random, from the bag and is not replaced.
This process is repeated until a blue ball is taken from the bag.
Part of the tree diagram that represents these outcomes is drawn below.
First ball Second ball
3– 2–
5 4
red red
2– 2–
5 blue 4 blue
(b) Expressing each answer as a fraction, find the probability that
(i) the second ball taken is blue,
Answer .............................................. [1]
(ii) a blue ball is the second, or the third, ball taken.
Answer .............................................. [2]
9
12
Box 1 Box 2
Box 1 contains 2 white balls. Box 2 contains 4 white balls and 3 black balls.
(a) Ann chooses, at random, one ball from each box.
(i) Find the probability that these balls are both black.
Answer ............................................. [1]
(ii) Find the probability that these balls have different colours.
Answer ............................................. [1]
(b) From the original contents of Box 2, Belle chooses, at random, two balls without replacement.
Find the probability that these balls are both white.
Answer ............................................. [1]
(c) Carla chooses one of the boxes at random.

With the original box contents, she then chooses, at random, one ball from this box.
Find the probability that the ball is white.
Answer ............................................. [2]
10
13 A bag contains 10 counters of which 8 are blue and 2 are white.
Two counters are taken from the bag at random without replacement.
(a) Complete the tree diagram to show the possible outcomes and their probabilities.
First counter Second counter
7 Blue
9
Blue
8
10
............. White
Blue
.............
.............
White
............. White
[1]
(b) Find, as a fraction, the probability that
(i) both counters are blue,
Answer ........................................... [1]
(ii) one counter is blue and the other is white.
Answer ........................................... [2]
11
14 A bag contains red and blue pegs.
There are 40 pegs in the bag.
The probability of choosing a red peg from the bag is 0.4 .
(a) Work out the number of red pegs in the bag.
Answer ........................................... [1]
(b) More red pegs are added to the bag.
Work out the number of red pegs that must be added to the bag so that the probability of
choosing a blue peg is 0.2 .
Answer ........................................... [2]
15 Basia records the colour of 100 cars passing the school gate.
Her results are recorded in the table.
Colour of car Black Grey Red Blue Other
Frequency 43 18 12 9 18
(a) Use Basia’s results to estimate the probability that the next car seen is a blue car.
Answer .......................................... [1]

(b) In the next hour, 500 cars pass the school gate.
Use Basia’s results to estimate the number of these cars that are red.
Answer .......................................... [1]

(c) Colin records the colour of the next 100 cars passing the school gate.
His results are shown in the table below.
Colour of car Black Grey Red Blue Other
Frequency 34 10 18 28 10
Use Basia’s and Colin’s combined results to estimate the number of red cars that would be seen
when 500 cars pass the school gate.
Answer .......................................... [1]

(d) Which of the estimates in part (b) or in part (c) is likely to be the best?
Give a reason for your decision.
The best estimate is ............... because ...................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................. [1]
12
16 A bag contains n balls.
3 of the balls are white.
Two balls are taken from the bag, at random, without replacement.
2 White
n –1
White
3
n
.......... Not white
3 White
n –1
..........
Not white
.......... Not white

[2]
1
(b) The probability that both balls are white is .
15
Show that n 2 - n - 90 = 0 .
[2]
(c) Find the value of n.
Answer ........................................... [2]
13
17 A bag contains 1 red, 1 blue and 3 green balls.
The tree diagram that represents these events is drawn below.

1
2 green
h blue
green
3 h red
5
3
4 green
1
5 blue
1 red
4
1 3
4 green
5
red
1 blue
4
(a) Write down the value of h.
(b) Expressing each answer in its simplest form, calculate the probability that
(i) both balls are green,

(ii) both balls are blue,
(iii) neither ball is green.
Answer (a) h = ............................................[1]
(b)(i) ..............................................[1]
(ii) ..............................................[1]
(iii) ..............................................[1]
14
18 A bag contains 1 red and 3 blue balls.
The tree diagram that represents all the outcomes is shown below.
…… red
red
……
blue
……
…… red
blue
……
blue
……
(a) Write the appropriate probability on each branch. [2]
(b) Find the probability that the second ball taken is red.
Answer ..................................... [1]
19 A bag contains red, green and yellow pegs.

A peg is taken at random from the bag.
The probability that it is red is 0.35 and the probability that it is green is 0.4.
(a) Find the probability that it is

(i) yellow,
(ii) not red.
(b) Originally there were 16 green pegs in the bag.

Find the total number of pegs.
Answer (a)(i) ........................................[1]
(ii) .........................................[1]
(b) ............................................[1]
15
20 In a group of 8 students there are 5 boys and 3 girls.
Two students are chosen at random.
The tree diagram shows the possible outcomes and their probabilities.
Answer (a)
First student Second student
4 Boy
7
Boy
5
8 3
7 Girl
Boy
3 ......
8
Girl
Girl
......
(b) Expressing each answer as a fraction in its lowest terms, find the probability that
(i) two boys are chosen,
Answer (b)(i) ...................................[1]
(ii) at least one boy is chosen.
Answer (b)(ii) ..................................[2]
16
21 Two bags contain beads.
The first bag contains 2 black and 3 white beads.
The second bag contains 2 black, 1 white and 2 red beads.
A bead is taken, at random, from each bag.
The tree diagram that represents these outcomes is drawn below.
First bag Second bag
2 black
5
1
5
black white
2
5
2
5 red
2 black
5
3 1
5 5
white white
2
5 red
Giving each answer in its simplest form, find the probability that
(a) both beads are black,
Answer (a) ....................................... [1]
(b) both beads are red,
Answer (b) ....................................... [1]
(c) exactly one bead is black.
Answer (c) ....................................... [2]
17
22 A bag contains 7 balls, 6 of which are green and 1 is red.

5 green
6
6 green
7
1 red
6
p green
1
7 red
q red
(a) Find the values of p and q.
Answer (a) p = ............ q = ............ [1]
(b) Expressing each answer as a fraction in its simplest form, find the probability that
Answer (b)(i) .................................. [1]
(ii) the two balls have different colours.
Answer (b)(ii) ................................. [1]
18
23 A bag contains 7 balls, 6 of which are green and 1 is red.

5 green
6
6 green
7
1 red
6
p green
1
7 red
q red
(a) Find the values of p and q.
Answer (a) p = ............ q = ............ [1]
Answer (b)(i) .................................. [1]
(ii) the two balls have different colours.
Answer (b)(ii) ................................. [1]
19
24 Paul takes examinations in Maths and Physics.
The probability that he passes Maths is 0.7 .
The probability that he passes Physics is 0.6 .
The results in each subject are independent of each other.
Calculate the probability that he passes Maths and does not pass Physics.
Answer ........................................ [2]
25 The lengths of the leaves of a plant were measured.

The results are shown in the table.
Length
(x centimetres) 1<xG3 3<xG4 4<xG5 5<xG7 7 < x G 10
Frequency 8 5 6 12 12
Frequency
density
(a) Complete the table to show the frequency densities. [2]
(b) One leaf is chosen at random.
Find an estimate of the probability that this leaf is more than 6 cm long.
Answer ................................................ [1]
20
26 Two bags contain beads.
The first bag contains 2 white, 2 red and 3 black beads.
The second bag contains 3 white and 2 black beads.
One bead is taken, at random, from each bag.
The tree diagram is shown below.
First bead Second bead
3
white
5
white 2
5
2
7 black
3 white
2 5
7 red 2
5
3 black
7
3 white
5
2
black 5
black
Find the probability that
(a) both beads are white,
Answer ................................................ [1]
(b) both beads are red,
Answer ................................................ [1]
(c) exactly one bead is black.
Answer ................................................ [2]
21
27
2 3 3 4 4 4
The numbers 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4 are written on six cards.

Two cards are chosen, at random, without replacement, to form a 2-digit number.
The first card chosen shows the number of Tens.
The second card chosen shows the number of Units.
First card Second card
Tens Units
Expressing each answer in its simplest form, find the probability that the two cards show
(a) a number greater than 20,
Answer ............................................... [1]
(b) the number 33,
Answer ............................................... [1]
(c) the number 43 or the number 32.
Answer ............................................... [2]
22
28 A bag contains 5 balls, 2 of which are blue and 3 are red.
One ball is taken, at random, from the bag.
If it is red it is put back into the bag.
If it is blue it is not put back into the bag.
A second ball is taken, at random, from the bag.

Part of the tree diagram that represents these outcomes is drawn below.
1
blue
4
blue 3
2
4
5
red
3
5
red
(i) both balls taken are blue,
Answer ............................................. [1]
(ii) the second ball taken is blue.
Answer ............................................. [2]
23
29 A fair 4-sided spinner is numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4.
(a) Anil spins it once.

He gets his score by doubling the number obtained.
Complete the table to show the probabilities of his scores.
Score 2 4 6 8
Probability
[1]
(b) Billie spins it twice. She gets her score by adding the numbers obtained.
(i) Complete the possibility diagram.
First spin
+ 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 5
Second
2 3 4 5 6
spin
3 4 5 6 7
4
[1]
(ii) Complete the table showing the probabilities for some of Billie’s scores.
Score >2 >4 >6 >8

15
Probability 16
[1]
(c) Find the probability that Billie scores more than Anil.
Answer ................................................. [2]
24
30
1 2 3 4
Four cards are marked with the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4.
One card is chosen at random.
A second card is then chosen, at random, from the remaining three cards.
The sum of the numbers on the two chosen cards is calculated.
(a) Complete the table to show the possible outcomes.

First card
1 2 3 4
1
Second card
2
4 [1]
(b) What is the probability that the sum is less than 2?
Answer .......................................... [1]
(c) What is the probability that the sum is greater than 5?
Answer .......................................... [1]
31
T R I G O N O M E T R Y
Twelve lettered tiles spelling the word TRIGONOMETRY are placed inside a bag.
(a) A tile is taken at random from the bag.
Find the probability that the tile shows a letter R.

Answer .......................................... [1]
(b) All the tiles are placed back in the bag, a tile is then taken at random and placed on the table.
A second tile is taken at random and placed to the right of the first tile.
A third tile is taken at random and placed to the right of the second tile.
1st 2nd
Find the probability that, in the order the tiles were placed on the table, they spell GET.
Answer .......................................... [2]

25
32 Each time an archer fires an arrow, the probability that she hits the target is 0.7 .
She fires two arrows.
First arrow Second arrow
0.7 hit
hit
0.7
miss
hit
miss
miss
[1]
(b) Find the probability that
(i) she hits the target twice,
Answer �� [1]
(ii) she hits the target exactly once.
Answer .......................................... [1]
26
33
B A N A N A
The letters spelling the word BANANA are written on six tiles.
(a) Find the probability that a tile chosen at random has the letter N on it.
Answer ........................................ [1]
(b) The six tiles are placed in a bag.

Three tiles are chosen at random without replacement.
The first is placed in Position 1, the second in Position 2 and the third in Position 3.
_________ _________ _________
Position 1 Position 2 Position 3
(i) Find the probability that the three tiles spell BAN.
Answer ........................................ [2]
(ii) The tiles are now replaced and the process is repeated.
Find the probability that the three tiles spell either ANN or ANA.
Answer ........................................ [2]
27
34 (a) Aboxofchocolatescontains10milkchocolatesand2plainchocolates.
Sachaeats3chocolateschosenatrandomfromthebox.
Thetreediagramshowsthepossibleoutcomesandtheirprobabilities.
First chocolate Second chocolate Third chocolate
8 milk
10
9 milk
11
2
plain
10
milk
9 milk
10 10
12 2
11 plain
1 plain
10
milk
........
2 milk
12 ........
........ plain
plain
milk
........
plain
........
........ plain
(i) Completethetreediagram. [2]
(ii) Expressingeachanswerasafractioninitslowestterms,findtheprobabilitythatSacha
(a) eats3milkchocolates,
Answer ............................................... [1]
(b) eats2milkchocolatesand1plainchocolateinanyorder.
Answer ............................................... [2]
28
35 (a) A bag contains red and blue pegs.
Altogether there are 25 pegs of which n are red.
Rashid picks two pegs without replacement.
First peg Second peg
n–1 red
24
red
25 – n
n 24
25
blue
25 – n
25 red
blue
blue
(i) Complete the tree diagram. [2]
(ii) (a) Write an expression, as a single fraction in terms of n, for the probability that
Rashid picks a red peg then a blue peg in that order.
Answer ................................................ [1]

1
(b) The probability that Rashid picks a red peg then a blue peg in that order is .
p
Given that the number of red pegs, n, satisfies the equation n2 – 25n + 150 = 0,
find p.
Answer p = ......................................... [2]
29
(iii) Solve n2 – 25n + 150 = 0 to find the possible values of n.
Answer n = .................. or ..................[2]
(iv) Given that at the start there are more blue pegs than red pegs in the bag, find the
probability that Rashid picks two red pegs.
Answer ................................................ [2]
(b) Each member of a group of children

was asked their favourite colour.
The pie chart represents the results.
red
yellow
108°
54°
30° 78°
green pink
blue
(i) The number of children whose favourite colour is red is 75.

Find the number of children in the group.
Answer ................................................ [1]
(ii) Find, in its simplest form, the fraction of children whose favourite colour is green.
Answer ................................................ [1]
(iii) How many more children answered yellow than answered blue?
Answer ................................................ [1]
30
36 A bag contains six identical balls numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
(a) A ball is taken from the bag at random.
Find, as a fraction in its lowest terms, the probability that the number on the ball is
(i) a multiple of 3,
Answer .................................................... [1]
(ii) prime.
Answer .................................................... [1]
(b) All six balls are replaced in the bag.

Two balls are taken from the bag, one after the other, without replacement.
The numbers on the two balls are added together.
(i) Complete this possibility diagram to show all the outcomes.
+ 2 3 4 5 6 7
2 5 6 7 8 9
3
4
5
6
7
[1]
(ii) Find the probability that the sum of the numbers is
(a) odd,
Answer .................................................... [1]
(b) less than 8.
Answer .................................................... [1]
31
37 Onedayafarmercollected300eggsfromhischickens.
Thetablebelowshowsthedistributionofthemassesoftheeggs.
Mass
42<m G 46 46<m G 48 48<m G 50 50<m G 54 54<m G 58 58<m G 66
(m grams)
Frequency 60 40 48 72 56 24
(a) (i) Aneggischosenatrandom.
Calculatetheprobabilitythatthemassofthiseggisnotgreaterthan48grams.
Answer ........................................... [1]
(ii) Aneggischosenatrandomfromthe300eggs.
Anothereggischosenatrandomfromthosethatremain.
Calculatetheprobabilitythatthemassofoneeggisatmost46grams,andthemassofthe
otherismorethan58grams.
Answer ............................................ [2]
(b) Calculateanestimateofthemeanmassofanegg.
Answer ......................................... g[3]
32
38 (a) Some people were asked which continent they visited on their last holiday.
The results are shown in the table below.
Continent Number of people

North America (NA) 7
Europe (E) 15
Asia (A) 8
(i) Find the probability that one of these people, chosen at random, visited North America.
Answer ............................................ [1]
(ii) Find the probability that one of these people, chosen at random, did not go to Asia.
Give your answer as a fraction in its lowest terms.
Answer ............................................ [1]
(iii) Two of these people are chosen at random.

The tree diagram opposite shows the possible outcomes and some of their probabilities.
(b) What is the probability that the two people went to the same continent?
Answer ............................................ [2]
33
39
Humanities: Geography (G) Science: Physics (P)
History (H) Chemistry (C)
Religious studies (R) Biology (B)
A student has to choose one humanities subject and two different science subjects.
(a) Complete the table to show the possible outcomes.
Answer Humanities Science
G P and C
G P and B
[2]
(b) Khalif chooses his subjects at random.
(i) Find the probability that he chooses Geography.
Answer ........................................... [1]
(ii) Find the probability that he chooses Physics.
Answer ........................................... [1]
(iii) Find the probability that he chooses both Religious studies and Chemistry.
Answer ........................................... [1]
34
40 Rowena spins two fair spinners, each numbered 1 to 4.
Her score is the value when the numbers on the two spinners are multiplied together.
The table shows some of Rowena’s possible scores.
× 1 2 3 4
1 1 2 3 4
2 2 4
(a) Complete the table of possible scores. [2]
(b) Find the probability that Rowena’s score is less than 4.
Answer ............................................. [1]
(c) Find the probability that Rowena’s score is an even number.

Give your answer as a fraction in its lowest terms.
Answer ............................................. [2]
(d) Phoebe says that Rowena’s score is more likely to be a square number than a factor of 6.
Is she correct?
Show your working.
Answer
[2]
35
41 (a) The table below summarises the times taken by 50 athletes to run 400 m.
Time (t seconds) 50 G t 1 55 55 G t 1 60 60 G t 1 65 65 G t 1 70 70 G t 1 75
Frequency 7 16 15 11 1
(i) State the modal class.
Answer ............................................. [1]
(ii) Calculate an estimate of the mean time taken by these athletes.
Answer .......................................... s [3]
(iii) Calculate the probability that an athlete chosen at random took less than 60 seconds to run
the 400 m.
Answer ............................................. [2]
36
(b) Vowels are the letters A, E, I, O and U.
All other letters are consonants.
All the twelve tiles are placed back in the bag and two tiles are taken at random,
aaaaawithout replacement.
(i) Complete the tree diagram.
First tile Second tile
3 vowel
11
vowel
4
12
......... consonant
vowel
.........
.........
consonant
......... consonant
[2]
(ii) Find the probability that the tiles both show vowels.
Answer .......................................... [1]
(iii) Find the probability that one tile shows a vowel and one tile shows a consonant.
Answer .......................................... [2]
37
(c) Jenny asked which type of movie each of 60 people preferred.
The table summarises her results.
Type of movie Action Comedy Drama Horror

Frequency 24 15 9 12
(i) Complete the pie chart to represent the results.
Action
[3]
(ii) One of the 60 people is chosen at random.
Find the probability that this person preferred drama or horror movies.
Answer ........................................... [1]
(iii) Two of the 60 people are chosen at random.
Calculate the probability that they both preferred comedy movies.
Answer ........................................... [2]
38
42 A fair five-sided spinner is numbered 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.
1 3
(a) Maria spins it once. Find the probability that the number obtained is
5
9
7
(i) 7,
Answer ........................................ [1]
(ii) an odd number.
Answer ........................................ [1]
(b) Pedro spins it twice and adds the two numbers obtained.
Some of the results are shown in the possibility diagram below.
+ 1 3 5 7 9
1 2 4
3 12
5
7 14
9
(i) Complete the possibility diagram. [2]
(ii) Find the probability that the sum of the two numbers is
(a) odd,
Answer ........................................ [1]
(b) 14 or more.
Answer ........................................ [1]
(c) Katrina spins it three times.
Calculate the probability that the three numbers obtained are the same.
Express your answer as a fraction in its lowest terms.
Answer ........................................ [2]
39
(d) A bag contains 12 discs.
There are 8 blue and 4 red discs.
A disc is picked out at random and not replaced.

A second disc is then picked out at random and not replaced.
The tree diagram below shows the possible outcomes and one of their probabilities.
First disc Second disc
Blue
........
........ Blue
........ Red
........ Blue
........ Red
3
Red
11
(i) Complete the tree diagram. [2]
(ii) Expressing each of your answers as a fraction in its lowest terms, calculate the
probability that
(a) both discs are red,
Answer ...................................... [1]
(b) at least one disc is blue.
Answer ...................................... [2]
(iii) A third disc is picked out at random.

Calculate the probability that all three discs are red.
Answer ...................................... [1]
40
43 The journey times of 80 drivers are summarised in the table.
Time
60 < t ⭐ 80 80 < t ⭐ 90 90 < t ⭐ 95 95 < t ⭐ 100 100 < t ⭐ 110 110 < t ⭐ 130
(t minutes)
Number
4 10 14 20 24 8
of drivers
(a) Calculate an estimate of the mean journey time.
Answer ...................... minutes [3]
(b) (i) A driver is chosen at random.
Find the probability that the journey time for this driver is 95 minutes or less.
Answer .................................... [1]
(ii) Two drivers are chosen at random without replacement.
Calculate the probability that both their journey times are more than 100 minutes.
Answer ..................................... [2]
41
44 The heights of 150 children are measured.
The results are summarised in the table.
Height
130 < h 140 140 < h 150 150 < h 155 155 < h 160 160 < h 170 170 < h 190
(h cm)
Frequency 10 30 20 30 35 25
(a) Calculate an estimate of the mean height.
Answer ............................... cm [3]
(b) (i) One child is chosen at random.
Find the probability that this child has a height greater than 160 cm.
Answer ..................................... [1]
(ii) Two children are chosen at random without replacement.
Find the probability that the height of one child is greater than 160 cm and the height of
the other is 150 cm or less.
Answer ..................................... [2]
42
45
p 4
11 3
5 –4 –1
7
spinner X spinner Y
In a game, when it is Mary’s turn, she spins each of these fair spinners once.
Mary’s score for the turn is worked out using the formula xm + yn, where x is the number on spinner X
and y is the number on spinner Y.
The possibility space diagram shows Mary’s possible scores.
x (number on spinner X )
5 7 11 p
y (number on spinner Y )
–4 37 47 67 97
–1 28 38 58 88
3 16 26 46 76
4 13 23 43 73
(a) Find the probability that Mary’s score is less than 15.
Answer ............................................ [1]
(b) Calculate the probability that on two consecutive turns, Mary scores less than 40 on one and more
than 75 on the other.
Answer ............................................ [3]
43
(c) The diagram shows 7 on spinner X and –1 on spinner Y.
Using the formula, the score for this turn is 7m – n = 38.
(i) Using the table, find 7m + 3n.
Answer ............................................ [1]
(ii) Hence find m and n.
Answer m = ..........................................
n = ..................................... [2]
(d) Find p.
Answer p = ...................................... [2]
44
46 Thecumulativefrequencygraphforthelengthsofthe50tracksonAbi’sMP3playerisshownbelow.
50
40
Cumulative
frequency
30
20
10
0
2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:30 6:00
Length of track (minutes : seconds)
(a) Usethegraphtofind
(i) themedian,
Answer ............ minutes............seconds[1]
(ii) theinterquartilerange.
(b) Usetheinformationonthegraphtocompletethefrequencytableforthelengthofthetracks.
Length(minutes:seconds) Frequency
2:301lengthG3:00 3
3:001lengthG3:30 5
3:301lengthG4:00
4:001lengthG4:30
4:301lengthG5:00
5:001lengthG5:30
5:301lengthG6:00
[2]
45
(c) AbiplaysthreetracksfromherMP3playerwithnobreakbetweenthem.
Giventhatnotrackisrepeated,whatisthemaximumpossiblelengthoftimetakentoplaythese
tracks?
(d) AbitravelsonatrainfromstationAtostationF.
TheexacttimesthetrainarrivesatandleavesstationsAtoFareshownbelow.
Station A B C D E F
Arrive – 1003 1006 1011 1015 1021
Depart 0958 1004 1007 1012 1016 –
(i) Howmanyminutesdidherjourneytake?
Answer ............................................ [1]
(ii) AbistartsplayingtracksatrandomfromherMP3playerassheleavesstationA.
WhatistheprobabilitythatthefirsttrackisstillplayingwhenshearrivesatstationB?
Answer ............................................ [2]
(e) AbiplaystwodifferenttracksatrandomfromherMP3player.
Whatistheprobabilitythatneithertrackislongerthan3minutes30seconds?
Answer ............................................ [2]
46
47 A bag contains R red beads and B blue beads.
Two beads are chosen, at random, without replacement.
First bead Second bead

11 red
19
3 red
5
8
19 blue
12 red
19
2
5 blue
7
19 blue
(i) Calculate the probability that both beads are red.
Answer .......................................... [1]
(ii) Calculate the probability that the two beads are different colours.
Answer .......................................... [2]
(iii) What is the value of R?
Answer .......................................... [1]
(iv) Of the red beads, half have a yellow spot.
Calculate the probability that, of the two chosen beads, neither has a yellow spot.
Answer .......................................... [2]
47
48 Amira has three $1 coins and two 20c coins in her purse.
She picks out coins at random, one after the other.
The coins are not replaced.
The tree diagram shows the possible outcomes and their probabilities when picking out two coins.
First coin Second coin

$1
x
3 $1
5
2
4 20c
3 $1
4
2
5 20c
1
4 20c
(i) Find x.
Answer .......................................... [1]
(ii) Find the probability that the total value of the two coins picked out is 40 cents.
Answer .......................................... [1]
(iii) Find the probability that the total value of the two coins picked out is $1.20 .
Answer .......................................... [2]

(iv) At a car park, the charge is $1.40 .
Amira picks out three coins, one after the other.
Find the probability that the total value of the three coins is $1.40 .
Answer .......................................... [2]
48
49 Adam has a bag containing 9 balls, numbered from 1 to 9.
(a) Adam takes a ball at random from the bag and replaces it.
Find the probability that the ball has an odd number.
Answer ........................................... [1]
(b) Adam takes a ball from the 9 balls in the bag, notes the number and replaces it.
He then takes a second ball from the bag, notes the number and replaces it.
(i) Work out the probability that both numbers are odd.
Answer ........................................... [1]
(ii) Work out the probability that one number is odd and the other is even.
Answer ........................................... [2]
(c) Adam now takes two balls from the 9 balls in the bag, without replacement.
Work out the probability that the two numbers are either both odd or both even.
Answer ........................................... [3]
49
50 A bag contains 5 red counters, 6 blue counters and 1 green counter.
(i) Complete the pie chart to represent this data.
Red
[2]
(ii) Ahmed takes a counter at random from the bag.

Find the probability that the counter is red.
Answer .......................................... [1]
(iii) Simeon takes two counters at random from the bag of twelve counters.
He places them next to each other on a table.
Find the probability that the two counters are different colours.
Answer .......................................... [3]
50

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Name: __________________________________________ Date: _____________________ Class: _____________________

Past Paper Questions: Probability

1 A fair five-sided spinner is numbered using the prime numbers

(a) a prime number,

(b) a perfect square.

Answer (a)(ii)(a) ..........................................[1]

Answer (b) ....................................................[1]

(i) Write down the median.

Answer (a)(i) ........................................[1]

Time of travel (t minutes) 4⭐t<6 6⭐t<8 8 ⭐ t < 10 10 ⭐ t < 12

Draw a frequency polygon on the grid below to illustrate this data.

First counter Second counter

Answer (b) ...................................... [2]

(a) Complete the tree diagram.

Answer ........................................ [1]

Answer ........................................ [2]

(a) What is the probability that Sachin wins both games?

Answer ..................................... [1]

Answer ..................................... [2]

Answer ..................................... [2]

Answer ..................................... [1]

(b) Complete the table to show all the possible outcomes.

(c) What is the probability that the sum is 7?

Answer ..................................... [1]

First biscuit Second biscuit

(a) Complete the tree diagram. [2]

(b) Calculate the probability that Sabah chooses

(i) two round biscuits,

Answer .......................................................... [1]

(ii) one round biscuit and one square biscuit.

Answer .......................................................... [2]

First pen Second pen

(b) Find, as a fraction in its lowest terms, the probability that

(i) Luis takes two black pens,

Answer .............................................................. [1]

(ii) Luis takes two different coloured pens.

Answer .............................................................. [2]

First ball Second ball

(a) Complete the tree diagram. [2]

(b) Expressing each answer as a fraction, find the probability that

(i) the second ball taken is blue,

Answer .............................................. [1]

(ii) a blue ball is the second, or the third, ball taken.

Answer .............................................. [2]

(a) Ann chooses, at random, one ball from each box.

Answer ............................................. [1]

Answer ............................................. [1]

Find the probability that these balls are both white.

Answer ............................................. [1]

(c) Carla chooses one of the boxes at random.

Find the probability that the ball is white.

Answer ............................................. [2]

First counter Second counter

(b) Find, as a fraction, the probability that

(i) both counters are blue,

Answer ........................................... [1]

(ii) one counter is blue and the other is white.

Answer ........................................... [2]

(a) Work out the number of red pegs in the bag.

Answer ........................................... [1]

(b) More red pegs are added to the bag.

Answer ........................................... [2]

Colour of car Black Grey Red Blue Other

Name: ________________________________ Date: _ Class: ___________