View largerProbability words chart
Describing chance with the words certain, likely, unlikely and impossible
1 page32 KB
Probability Worksheets
Chance in simple words, then spinners, coins and probability as a fraction, for 3rd to 5th grade with answer keys.
Download the probability worksheets
Certain, likely, unlikely, impossible
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View all 2 pagesCertain, Likely, Unlikely, Impossible, sheet A
Deciding if picking a shape from a bag is certain, likely, unlikely or impossible
Answer key on page 2
2 pages43 KB
View all 2 pagesCertain, Likely, Unlikely, Impossible, sheet B
Deciding if picking a shape from a bag is certain, likely, unlikely or impossible
Answer key on page 2
2 pages43 KB
Spinners and coins
View all 2 pagesProbability spinners
Finding the most and least likely result on a spinner
Answer key on page 2
2 pages45 KB
View all 2 pagesCoins and outcomes
Listing the outcomes of flipping coins and spinning a spinner
Answer key on page 2
2 pages44 KB
Probability as a fraction
View all 2 pagesWhich bag is more Likely?
Comparing chances as fractions to pick the better bag
Answer key on page 2
2 pages53 KB
View all 2 pagesProbability as a Fraction, sheet A
Writing the chance of an event as a fraction in simplest form
Answer key on page 2
2 pages55 KB
View all 2 pagesProbability as a Fraction, sheet B
Writing the chance of an event as a fraction in simplest form
Answer key on page 2
2 pages55 KB
View all 2 pagesDesign a spinner
Labeling spinner sections so each result has a given chance
Answer key on page 2
2 pages44 KB
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About these probability worksheets
Probability is how likely something is to happen. These worksheets start with words children already use (certain, likely, unlikely, impossible) and move toward writing a chance as a fraction.
The pictures are bags of shapes and spinners with equal parts, drawn in black and white, so every chance can be counted right on the page. Every answer is worked out from the counts.
Probability is formally taught in middle school, but the ideas fit well with 3rd grade data, 4th grade fraction comparing and 5th grade fractions.
Standards
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.SP.C.5Understand that the probability of a chance event is a number between 0 and 1 that expresses the likelihood of the event occurring. Larger numbers indicate greater likelihood. A probability near 0 indicates an unlikely event, a probability around 1/2 indicates an event that is neither unlikely nor likely, and a probability near 1 indicates a likely event.CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.A.2Compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators, e.g., by creating common denominators or numerators, or by comparing to a benchmark fraction such as 1/2. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.
How to use them
- Start with the words chart and talk through each bag before any practice.
- Make the bags real: put shapes or counters in a paper bag and pick without looking.
- Spin a real spinner (a pencil and a paper clip on the printed spinner works) and tally 20 spins.
- In 5th grade, write each chance as a fraction, then compare fractions to decide which is more likely.
Teaching tips
- Count everything in the bag first. The chance depends on how many there are in all, not only on how many match.
- Likely means more than half; unlikely means less than half.
- On a spinner, a chance only works out from the count of parts when every part is the same size.
- When two bags have different totals, compare fractions, not counts: 3 out of 5 is more likely than 4 out of 8.
Questions teachers and parents ask
When do children learn probability?
The Common Core standards place probability in 7th grade, but younger children can describe chance with words like likely and unlikely. These sheets use counting and fractions children already know.
What is the probability of flipping heads?
A coin has two sides that are equally likely, so the chance of heads is 1 out of 2, or 1/2.
How do you write a probability as a fraction?
Put the number of ways the thing can happen over the number of things in all. A bag with 3 stars and 9 shapes in all gives a 3/9 chance of a star, which is 1/3 in simplest form.