Question

which formula is used to calculate the probability of an event e?
a. ( p(e) = \text{favorable outcomes} div \text{total outcomes} )
b. ( p(e) = \text{total outcomes} - \text{favorable outcomes} )
c. ( p(e) = \frac{\text{number of favorable outcomes}}{\text{total number of possible outcomes}} )
d. ( p(e) = \frac{\text{total number of possible outcomes}}{\text{number of favorable outcomes}} )

Explanation:

Probability of an event \(E\) is calculated by dividing the number of favorable outcomes by the total number of possible outcomes. Option a is incorrect as it uses words instead of proper terms (should be number of favorable outcomes, total number of possible outcomes). Option b is wrong as subtraction is not the operation for probability. Option d has the ratio inverted.

Answer:

C. \( P(E)=\frac{\text{Number of favorable outcomes}}{\text{Total number of possible outcomes}} \)