Access free live classes and tests on the app
Download
+
Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA
Login Join for Free
avtar
  • ProfileProfile
  • Settings Settings
  • Refer your friendsRefer your friends
  • Sign outSign out
  • Terms & conditions
  • •
  • Privacy policy
  • About
  • •
  • Careers
  • •
  • Blog

© 2023 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Watch Free Classes
    • Free courses
    • JEE Main 2024
    • JEE Main 2024 Live Paper Discussion
    • JEE Main Rank Predictor 2024
    • JEE Main College Predictor 2024
    • Stream Predictor
    • JEE Main 2024 Free Mock Test
    • Study Materials
    • Notifications
    • JEE Advanced Syllabus
    • JEE Books
    • JEE Main Question Paper
    • JEE Coaching
    • Downloads
    • JEE Notes & Lectures
    • JEE Daily Videos
    • Difference Between
    • Full Forms
    • Important Formulas
    • Exam Tips
JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Mathematics » Total Probability

Total Probability

Total probability (total law of probability) is a rule that is used to calculate the probability of events. This study material covers the different types of probability, how to calculate it, and how to use it in problem-solving.

Table of Content
  •  

Total Probability is the sum of all possible outcomes from an event, and it can be calculated by adding up the probabilities of each outcome. For example, if you roll two dice, there are six possible outcomes: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6. The total probability for this roll would be 6/6 or 1.

The rule of total probability is used to determine the probability of an event A, when it’s hard to determine A’s probabilities to calculate it directly. Instead, you use the likelihood of a related occurrence B, to compute the chance of A. Total probability divides probability calculations into distinct sections.

Total Probability Theorem

Total Probability Theorem is a mathematical theorem that deals with the probability of a random event. It is used to calculate the probability of an event happening, given that certain conditions are met.

The Total Probability Theorem is a mathematical theorem that shows that if you know the probabilities of all possible outcomes, you can calculate the probability of any outcome by multiplying these probabilities together.

The following is the expression of the Total Probability Theorem for your total probability study material:

‘If A1, A2, A3,……are the partitions of the sample space S such that the probability of none of these events is equal to zero, then the probability of an event ‘E’ occurring in such a sample space is given as’, P(E) = ΣP(E|Ai)*P(Ai)

The Law of Total Probability

The law of total probability is a mathematical principle that states that the likelihood of an event occurring equals the sum of all possible outcomes divided by the total number of possibilities.

The Law of Total Probability was first proposed by the French mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace in 1812. This law states that “the probability of a single event is equal to the number of cases multiplied by the probability of each case.”

The law is essential in understanding how chance and randomness work. It can help us understand why we do not have control over events. The law of total probability is a fundamental principle in probability study. It states that the probability of a particular outcome is equal to the sum of all possible outcomes. This means that if there are six different outcomes, each with a 1/6 chance, then there are six different ways for this event to occur, and so we multiply these probabilities together and get 1/36 or 3%.

The law of total probability can be expressed via the following formula that you should know for your study material notes on Total Probability:

P(A) = P(A∩B) + P(A∩Bc)

Probability Tree

A probability tree is a decision-making tool used to help people make decisions by considering the various outcomes and probabilities.

  • The process starts with drawing a tree on a piece of paper.
  • Next, we assign some values to each branch, and then we calculate the total probability for each branch.

To find the total probability for a given event, we need to know the possible outcomes. Our example has four possible outcomes – success, failure, success with one loss and failure with one win. A sum of these four probabilities represents the total probability.

Probability of Random Events

In this section, we will discuss the probability of a random event. An unexpected event is the occurrence of an unpredictable outcome of an experiment or activity.

The total probability of a random event is the sum of all possible outcomes in an experiment or activity. There are two ways to calculate the total probability:

  • Total Probability formula- The sum of all possible events divided by the number of events.
  • Expected value formula- The average value over all possible outcomes.

Probability of Mutually Exclusive Events

When two incidents cannot happen at the exact moment, they are mutually exclusive. The consequence of mutually exclusive occurrences is always different. When one of these occurrences occurs, it prohibits the second event. For instance, if you get a “Heads” on the coin toss, you won’t get a “Tails.” These are two events that can’t happen at the same time.

You may argue that almost any two outcomes are mutually incompatible at this point! No, not at all. Consider the case of two coins being tossed at the very exact moment. The chance of either a Heads or a Tails on one of these coins is unaffected by the occurrence of H or T on the other.

Conclusion

Total probability is a mathematical concept used to determine the probability of a particular event happening.

Total probability is defined as the sum of all possible outcomes. It can be calculated by adding up all the different possible outcomes of an event and dividing that number by the total number of possible outcomes.

The formula for calculating the total probability for your study material notes on Total Probability:

P(A) = P(A∩B) + P(A∩Bc)

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the IIT JEE Examination Preparation.

How to state the total probability theorem?

Ans. The Total Probability Theorem states that the probability of an event occurring is equal to the sum of all favourable outco...Read full

What are the basic rules of total probability?

Ans. The total probability is the probability of all outcomes occurring together in a single trial. It is calculated by multiplyin...Read full

How to define total probability?

Ans. Total probability measures the likelihood of an event occurring based on its frequency in the past. It can also be thought of...Read full

What can an event's total probability be?

Ans. The Total Probability Theorem is not limited to only mathematical applications and can also be used in everyday life. The to...Read full

Ans. The Total Probability Theorem states that the probability of an event occurring is equal to the sum of all favourable outcomes and all unfavourable outcomes.

The Total Probability Theorem can be stated in two ways:

If an event occurs with probability p, then the total probability is 1/p.

If a random variable X has a cumulative distribution function F(x), then the probability P(X ≤ x) equals P(F(x) ≤ x).

Ans. The total probability is the probability of all outcomes occurring together in a single trial. It is calculated by multiplying all individual probabilities together and then dividing it by the number of possible outcomes.

The total probability can be found by multiplying all of the probabilities together and then dividing it by the number of possible outcomes:

Total Probability = (Probability x Probability)/Number of Possible Outcomes

Ans. Total probability measures the likelihood of an event occurring based on its frequency in the past. It can also be thought of as the average number of times something will happen in a given period.

A total probability can be calculated by dividing the number of times something has happened and multiplying it by 100%. For example, if there are six rolls with dice, the total probability would be 6/6 or 1. If you have rolled two dice and gotten two sixes, your total probability would be 6/2 or 3.

Ans. The Total Probability Theorem is not limited to only mathematical applications and can also be used in everyday life. The total probability of an event is the sum of all possible outcomes. Here, we will look at some of the critical events that can happen and their total probabilities.

A coin is flipped; what is the probability that it will land on heads? The probability that a coin lands on heads is 50%. The probability of landing on tails is 50%. The total probability for this event would be 100%.

Crack IIT JEE with Unacademy

Get subscription and access unlimited live and recorded courses from India’s best educators

  • Structured syllabus
  • Daily live classes
  • Ask doubts
  • Tests & practice
Learn more

Notifications

Get all the important information related to the JEE Exam including the process of application, important calendar dates, eligibility criteria, exam centers etc.

Allotment of Examination Centre
JEE Advanced Eligibility Criteria
JEE Advanced Exam Dates
JEE Advanced Exam Pattern 2023
JEE Advanced Syllabus
JEE Application Fee
JEE Application Process
JEE Eligibility Criteria 2023
JEE Exam Language and Centres
JEE Exam Pattern – Check JEE Paper Pattern 2024
JEE Examination Scheme
JEE Main 2024 Admit Card (OUT) – Steps to Download Session 1 Hall Ticket
JEE Main Application Form
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2024
JEE Main Exam Dates
JEE Main Exam Pattern
JEE Main Highlights
JEE Main Paper Analysis
JEE Main Question Paper with Solutions and Answer Keys
JEE Main Result 2022 (Out)
JEE Main Revised Dates
JEE Marking Scheme
JEE Preparation Books 2024 – JEE Best Books (Mains and Advanced)
Online Applications for JEE (Main)-2022 Session 2
Reserved Seats
See all

Related articles

Learn more topics related to Mathematics
Zero Vector

A zero vector is defined as a line segment coincident with its beginning and ending points. Primary Keyword: Zero Vector

ZERO MATRIX

In this article, we will discuss about the zero matrix and it’s properties.

YARDS TO FEET

In this article we will discuss the conversion of yards into feet and feets to yard.

XVI Roman Numeral

In this article we are going to discuss XVI Roman Numerals and its origin.

See all
Access more than

10,505+ courses for IIT JEE

Get subscription

Trending Topics

  • JEE Main 2024
  • JEE Main Rank Predictor 2024
  • JEE Main Mock Test 2024
  • JEE Main 2024 Admit Card
  • JEE Advanced Syllabus
  • JEE Preparation Books
  • JEE Notes
  • JEE Advanced Toppers
  • JEE Advanced 2022 Question Paper
  • JEE Advanced 2022 Answer Key
  • JEE Main Question Paper
  • JEE Main Answer key 2022
  • JEE Main Paper Analysis 2022
  • JEE Main Result
  • JEE Exam Pattern
  • JEE Main Eligibility
  • JEE College predictor
combat_iitjee

Related links

  • JEE Study Materials
  • CNG Full Form
  • Dimensional Formula of Pressure
  • Reimer Tiemann Reaction
  • Vector Triple Product
  • Swarts Reaction
  • Focal length of Convex Lens
  • Root mean square velocities
  • Fehling’s solution
testseries_iitjee
Predict your JEE Rank
.
Company Logo

Unacademy is India’s largest online learning platform. Download our apps to start learning


Starting your preparation?

Call us and we will answer all your questions about learning on Unacademy

Call +91 8585858585

Company
About usShikshodayaCareers
we're hiring
BlogsPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
Help & support
User GuidelinesSite MapRefund PolicyTakedown PolicyGrievance Redressal
Products
Learner appLearner appEducator appEducator appParent appParent app
Popular goals
IIT JEEUPSCSSCCSIR UGC NETNEET UG
Trending exams
GATECATCANTA UGC NETBank Exams
Study material
UPSC Study MaterialNEET UG Study MaterialCA Foundation Study MaterialJEE Study MaterialSSC Study Material

© 2026 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA

Share via

COPY