Sample Space

Definition of Sample Space

• A sample space is the set of all possible outcomes of an experiment.

                     

Examples of Sample Space

• When a coin is tossed the possible outcomes are head or tail. So, the sample space is S = {H, T}.

                                      

Solved Example on Sample Space

A coin is flipped and a die is rolled at the same time. Identify the sample space of the experiment.

Choices:

A. S = {(H, 1), (H, 2), (H, 3), (H, 4), (H, 5), (H, 6)}

B. S = {(H, 1), (H, 2), (H, 3), (H, 4), (H, 5), (H, 6), (T, 1),  (T, 2), (T, 3), (T, 4), (T, 5), (T, 6)}

C. S = {(H, 2), (H, 4), (H, 6), (T, 2), (T, 4), (T, 6)}

D. S = {(H, 2), (H, 4), (H, 6)}

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Step 1: A sample space is the set of all possible outcomes of an experiment.

Step 2: The sample space S is {(H, 1), (H, 2), (H, 3), (H, 4), (H, 5), (H, 6),

(T, 1), (T, 2), (T, 3), (T, 4), (T, 5), (T, 6)}

                  

Related Terms for Sample Space

• Outcome
• Experiment

                        

Additional Links for Sample Space

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