How do you master probability? (3 Viewers)

[Aysce]

I have tried so many probability questions through this term - from both textbooks and past papers, and honestly I've only experienced minimal improvements. I don't understand why I cannot do the simplest of 2u probability when I find permutations and combinations, as well as binomial probability much easier to do.

How else can I improve if I've done so many questions?

 

[mirakon]

Have u done it at school yet or are u reading ahead?

 

[Drongoski]

Have you asked your tutor?

 

[Magical Kebab]

Im with u here, permutations and combinations is incredibly difficult, well for me anyways. I just can't understand it but practice makes perfect, keep at it until u bak through, I guess that's the best thing to do.

 

[Aysce]

Yes and yes at Drongo & Mirakon. Im just finding 2u probability difficult. 3u I am more than fine. For some reason, its just because in 2u I misinterpret things and seriously don't understand what to do. There are like varying ways you can choose on depending on the situation, but I just don't know when to apply things like the addition rule when appropriate.

 

[Drongoski]

If it is any consolation most people find combinatorics difficult. The basic ideas are not hard. But how to express a given situation in terms of these basic ideas is hard, imo. If one has the gift of a very logical and lucid mind, then most of these problems are easy. That maybe 1 in 20 or 1 in 50 people.

 

[halapenyo]

you don't

 

[Aysce]

you don't

@Drongo:

I've tried so many 2u probability Qs and I do pretty nicely at home, but in an exam I stuff up the easiest questions. I don't really understand like when to either use the addition rule, product rule and whatever.

 

[Drongoski]

You need someone good to explain to you and to show you. After that you should be able to do most of the standard type questions. As for the left field ones, one can only pray. If we are born smart half the problems are solved. For the rest of us mere mortals we need some help and we need to work harder. But working harder by itself may not help.

 

[Aysce]

Yeah, it's the part of maths where you need some natural ability. Other parts can be done through hardcore practicing and whatnot. Ah well, I'll just look over theory again zzz.

 

[Magical Kebab]

When u do extension 2 Maths in yr 12, do u have to do 2u + 3u + 4u or just 3u and 4u?
And what's extension 2 1 unit course and extension 2 2 unit course?

 

[Aysce]

When u do extension 2 Maths in yr 12, do u have to do 2u + 3u + 4u or just 3u and 4u?
And what's extension 2 1 unit course and extension 2 2 unit course?

I only have to do 2u to have back up marks in case I drop 4u. In the trials and HSC, its only 3u and 4u, since I am choosing not to drop 4u. As for your second question, I am not sure about the 1 unit course, but extension 2 2 unit course is when you do 4u, 3u and 4u become 2 units each rather than 1.

 

[barbernator]

go to the casino and play poker with your life savings

 

[RealiseNothing]

Set out the question, like deconstruct exactly what the question is asking. Then go from there. The hardest part is understanding what is going on, so try and work out the question itself before doing any calculations.

 

[Carrotsticks]

As Drongo said, it's all logic.

Is it possible that you're rote learning a bit? If one does not feel confident after doing as many questions as you, this implies a bit of rote learning...

 

[Gigacube]

What textbook are you working out of? My school uses MiF but sometimes I prefer the examples or explanations in the Cambridge or Fitzpatrick text.

 

[Shadowdude]

As Drongo said, it's all logic.

Is it possible that you're rote learning a bit? If one does not feel confident after doing as many questions as you, this implies a bit of rote learning...

^ That.

Set it out logically. That's how you do it.

If you search around for when I've answered questions on probability or perms and combs, you see it set out as such:

1. ...
2. ....
3. ...
4. ...

Step-by-step, so it's clear as day what I'm doing. Do that, and you'll end up doing a lot better - I'd think.

 

[Aysce]

Hmm this is only happening in 2u probability but initially I was rote learning, as compared to now where I actually think about the question. Basically I'll get straight to the point:

1. Question asks me to find probability of getting x jelly beans from two packets.
2. I get confused whether to use addition or product rule.

That's it.

 

[mirakon]

Also it helps when u understand the concepts of what u r doing and why u r doing them instead of relying solely on the combinations and permutations formulae.

 

[Gigacube]

Take a look at Khan Academy's probability videos. It might help to watch & hear how someone works through a variety of probability questions.