The idea, step by step
Say what is being recorded
An outcome is one possible result of a chance experiment. Before making a list, say what you will record. A coin toss recorded by upper face has outcomes heads and tails. A normal die recorded by its top number has outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
List all possible results once. Do not add a result that the device cannot produce. A normal six-sided die cannot show 7.
Names and chances are different
If you record only the colour from this spinner, the possible outcome names are red, blue and green. Red is listed once, even though it appears on two sectors. Keep a separate record of how many equal sectors give each colour when comparing chances.
A bag with several red counters may still have only one outcome called red when you record colour. The number of counters affects its chance, not the number of times to repeat the colour name in an outcome list.
A common trap
Three possible colour names means the colours have equal chances.
Instead: Listing possibilities does not show their chances. Count the equal sectors or same-sized counters belonging to each colour.
See the thinking
A complete number list
A fair die is labelled 1 to 6. List the possible top numbers.
- Identify the recorded result: the top number.
- Include each face label once.
- Check that no available label is missing and none is invented.
A colour result
List the possible colours when one counter is selected from the supplied bag.
| Colour | Number of counters |
|---|---|
| Red | 3 |
| Blue | 2 |
| Green | 1 |
- The bag contains red, blue and green counters.
- Record each colour once, not once for each individual counter.
- No other colour is present.
Check your understanding
A box contains only yellow and purple blocks. You record the colour of one selected block. What are the possible outcomes?
Show answer
Yellow and purple.
List colours that are present, regardless of how many blocks of each colour there are.
Your turn
6 questions · 7 marks · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- List the outcomes of one coin toss when you record its upper face.1 mark
- A spinner has sectors labelled A, B, A, C. List its possible letter outcomes.1 mark
- Cards are numbered 2, 4, 6, 8. List the possible numbers when one card is selected.1 mark
- Could orange be selected from the supplied bag? Explain.1 mark
Six same-sized counters in a bag; choose without looking Colour Number of counters Red 3 Blue 2 Green 1 - There are five black counters and one white counter. How many different colour outcomes are possible?1 mark
- A pupil lists 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 as the possible top numbers of a normal die. Correct the list.2 marks
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- List the outcomes of one coin toss when you record its upper face.1 mark
These are the coin's two face labels.
Heads, tails. - A spinner has sectors labelled A, B, A, C. List its possible letter outcomes.1 mark
Each possible letter is listed once.
A, B, C. - Cards are numbered 2, 4, 6, 8. List the possible numbers when one card is selected.1 mark
These are the four card labels.
2, 4, 6, 8. - Could orange be selected from the supplied bag? Explain.1 mark
Six same-sized counters in a bag; choose without looking Colour Number of counters Red 3 Blue 2 Green 1 Only red, blue and green counters are present.
No. - There are five black counters and one white counter. How many different colour outcomes are possible?1 mark
Count distinct colour names, not individual counters.
Two: black and white. - A pupil lists 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 as the possible top numbers of a normal die. Correct the list.2 marks
7 is impossible because the die has no face labelled 7.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum 2026
Listing outcomes; equal/unequal likelihood; repeated trials; observed frequencies.
Official curriculum source ↗