This document provides information about probability and chance. It defines probability as a measure of how likely an event is to occur from 0 to 1. It gives examples of probability using a spinner and explains probability activities using M&Ms. Chance is defined as the likelihood something will happen from 0 to 100%. Examples are given comparing the chance of rain at 50% versus 80%. Questions are provided to practice calculating probabilities and chances.

1. Probability and ChanceProbability and Chance
Cheryl Goodman
Symsonia Elementary
5th
grade Math

2. ProbabilityProbability
Probability is a measure of how likely it is
for an event to happen.
We name a probability with a number from
0 to 1.
If an event is certain to happen, then the
probability of the event is 1.
If an event is certain not to happen, then the
probability of the event is 0.

3. ProbabilityProbability
If it is uncertain whether or not an event
will happen, then its probability is some
fraction between 0 and 1 (or a fraction
converted to a decimal number).

4. 1. What is the probability that the spinner
will stop on part A?
2. What is the probability that the
spinner will stop on
(a) An even number?
(b) An odd number?
3. What fraction names the
probability that the spinner will
stop in the area marked A?
AB
C D
3 1
2
A
C B

5. Probability ActivityProbability Activity
In your group, open your M&M bag and put
the candy on the paper plate.
Put ten brown M&Ms and five yellow
M&Ms in the bag.
Ask your group, what is the probability of
getting a brown M&M?
Ask your group, what is the probability of
getting a yellow M&M?

6. Another person in the group will then put in
8 green M&Ms and 2 blue M&Ms.
Ask the group to predict which color you
are more likely to pull out, least likely,
unlikely, or equally likely to pull out.
The last person in the group will make up
his/her own problem with the M&Ms.

7. Probability QuestionsProbability Questions
Lawrence is the captain of his track team.
The team is deciding on a color and all
eight members wrote their choice down on
equal size cards. If Lawrence picks one
card at random, what is the probability that
he will pick blue?
yellow
red
blue blue
blue
green black
black

8.  Donald is rolling a number cube labeled 1
to 6. Which of the following is LEAST
LIKELY?
A. an even number
B. an odd number
C. a number greater than 5

9. CHANCECHANCE
Chance is how likely it is that something
will happen. To state a chance, we use a
percent.
0 ½
Probability
1
Certain not
to happen
Equally likely to
happen or not to
happen
Certain to
happen
0%
50 %
Chance
100%

10. ChanceChance
When a meteorologist states that the chance
of rain is 50%, the meteorologist is saying
that it is equally likely to rain or not to rain.
If the chance of rain rises to 80%, it is more
likely to rain. If the chance drops to 20%,
then it may rain, but it probably will not
rain.

11. 1. What is the chance of spinning a
number greater than 1?
2. What is the chance of spinning a
4?
3. What is the chance that the
spinner will stop on an odd
number?
4. What is the chance of rolling an even
number with one toss of on number cube?
1 2
4 3
4 1
2 3
5