The idea, step by step
What could happen?
An outcome is one possible result. If you roll an ordinary six-sided die once, the possible numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. You can list them before rolling.
A result is the outcome that actually happens in a trial. Rolling a 4 does not remove other numbers from the list of things that could happen next time.
Choose what to record
A bag can hold many counters but only two colours. If the question asks about colour, list each possible colour once. Do not list Red five times just because there are five red counters.
Changing what we record changes the list. A spinner labelled A, B and C has letter outcomes, even if the spinner is also coloured.
A common trap
If an outcome has not happened yet, it is not possible.
Instead: Possible outcomes come from the setup. An unrolled die face is still possible.
See the thinking
A complete list
An ordinary six-sided die is rolled once. Could the result be 8?
- Its faces are labelled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
- There is no face labelled 8.
Colours, not counters
Use the pictured bag. Choose one counter without looking. List the possible colours.
- There are five red counters and two blue counters.
- We record colour, not which individual counter was chosen.
- List each different colour once.
Check your understanding
A bag contains only red and green counters. Could a blue counter be chosen?
Show answer
No.
Blue is not a colour in the bag.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- List the possible outcomes when an ordinary coin lands on one of its flat faces.
- List the possible numbers on an ordinary six-sided die.
- A box has cards labelled A, A, B and C. List the possible letters when one is chosen.
- A die roll gives 2. Is 5 still possible on the next roll? Explain.
- A bag holds 3 yellow counters and 1 purple counter. List the possible colours.
- A spinner has sections labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4. Sam lists 1, 2 and 4 as possible results. What is missing?
Read the worked solutions
- List the possible outcomes when an ordinary coin lands on one of its flat faces.
These are its two flat-face labels.
Heads or tails. - List the possible numbers on an ordinary six-sided die.
List every face once.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. - A box has cards labelled A, A, B and C. List the possible letters when one is chosen.
A is listed once because we record letters, not individual cards.
A, B and C. - A die roll gives 2. Is 5 still possible on the next roll? Explain.
An earlier result does not change its faces.
Yes. The die still has a face labelled 5. - A bag holds 3 yellow counters and 1 purple counter. List the possible colours.
Only those two colours are present.
Yellow and purple. - A spinner has sections labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4. Sam lists 1, 2 and 4 as possible results. What is missing?
Every labelled section must be included.
3.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / South Australian Curriculum
Possible outcomes; likely/unlikely/certain/impossible; repeated experiments; variation.
Official curriculum source ↗