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Probability

SAT math questions that have to deal with probability are simply ratio or proportion problems at their core. So, to solve them, it is just a matter of putting the number in question on top and the total number of outcomes on the bottom of the fraction. 
 
A bowl has ten red marbles, 14 blue, 12 orange, and 8 white marbles.  If one marble is pulled from the bowl randomly without looking, what is the probability that it will be an orange marble?
 
Since the question asks for orange, that is the number that goes on top. Next, find the total number of outcomes, which would be the total number of pieces, or 34 so the probability would be 12/34 - which can be further reduced or simplified. 
 
More complex questions will ask for the probability of two or even more events. In order to solve these types of problems, the important thing is to decide if the events are independent or dependent on each other. Independent ones are those in which an outcome does not affect the outcome of the other - ie they are not dependent on each other. 
 

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