- Definition
A probability line is a number line from 0 to 1 where 0 means something will definitely not happen and 1 means it will definitely happen. You can place events on this line to show how likely they are compared to each other.
The chance of a coin landing on heads is 1/2, so you would mark it right in the middle of the probability line.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A probability line is like a ruler that measures how likely something is, from 'impossible' on one end to 'certain' on the other.
Ask your child: Where on this line would you put 'the sun will rise tomorrow'?
Common mix-up: Kids may think probability is just 'yes' or 'no.' A probability line shows that likelihood is a range, with many possibilities between impossible and certain.
Examples
- The chance of rolling a 7 on a standard six-sided die is 0, so it goes at the 'impossible' end.
- The chance of picking a red marble from a bag of all red marbles is 1, so it goes at the 'certain' end.
probability line is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
