Question

which of the following is correct regarding the counting rule for independent trials? the counting rule calculates a partial number of possible outcomes. the total number of outcomes is the sum of the number of outcomes in the individual trials. the counting rule does not apply to independent trials. the counting rule calculates the number of possible outcomes.

Explanation:

The counting rule for independent trials (such as the multiplication principle in counting) is used to calculate the total number of possible outcomes. For example, if trial 1 has \(n_1\) outcomes and trial 2 has \(n_2\) outcomes, the total number of outcomes for the two - trial experiment is \(n_1\times n_2\). It is not a partial count. The total number of outcomes is not the sum (sum is for mutually - exclusive events in some simple cases, not for independent trials). And the counting rule does apply to independent trials.

Answer:

The counting rule calculates the number of possible outcomes.