Which of the following are examples of theoretical probability? Select all that apply.

1. the odds of winning a raffle

2. the odds of being struck by lightening

3. the odds of drawing a blue card

4. the odds of winning the Super Bowl despite losing your first two games.

5. the odds of failure for a manufactured machine part

1. The odds of winning a raffle 3. The odds of drawing a blue card

Explanation:

Theoretical probability is calculated using the number of favorable outcomes divided by the number of possible outcomes, using the sample space. It does not require to run trials or experiments. It does not depend on the number of times that you perform an experiment.

The odds of winning a raffle (if fair) is calculated using the combinatory theory, or counting principles, to find the number of total possible outcomes and the number of winning combinations.

The odds of drawing a blue card are also determined by the rules of counting, once you know how the set of cards is formed: the number of total cards and the number of blue cards.

Thus, those two are examples of theoretical probability.

On the other hand, the odds of being struck by lightening, the odds of winning the Super Bowl despite losing your first two games, and the odds of failure for a manufactured machine part, must rely on the history of those events: how frequent they are. Those events are referred as experiments because they are the product of running trials. Thus, those are examples of experimental probability and not theoretical probability.