Describe the various approaches used in determining
probability values.
The favorable events are the events of interest. They are the events that the question is
addressing. The total events are all possible events that can occur relevant to the
question asked. In this definition, favorable has nothing to do with something being
defective or non-defective.
3.1 Notation for Probability Questions
Instead of writing out the whole question, the following notation is used.
• What is the probability of event A occurring? = Probability (A) = P(A)
• What is the probability of events A and B occurring? = P(A and B) = P(A) and
P(B)
• What is the probability of events A or B occurring? = P(A or B) = P(A) or P(B)
3.2 Probability in Terms of Areas
Probability may also be defined in terms of areas rather than the number of events.