Class 10 · Maths · Chapter 14 · बिहार बोर्ड (BSEB)CBSE · NCERT 2026-27

Probability

Probability

How to use this page:
1. Read — Equally likely outcomes · P(E) · complementary event · Exercise 14.1, diagram, worked example, board tip
2. Check — each lesson has its own questions; the number follows the lesson
3. Mastery ★ — all of that lesson correct. Redo the wrong ones
4. The memory figure shows probability on a strip from 0 to 1, with the impossible event, an event and the sure event.

In NCERT 2026-27 this is Chapter 14; in Bihar’s older book Probability is Chapter 15. Progress stays in this browser.

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  • 1 Equally likely outcomes
  • 2 P(E) and an elementary event
  • 3 0, 1 and the complement
  • 4 Coins, an arrow and a fish
  • 5 A die and a pack of cards
  • 6 Without putting it back
  • 7 Two dice and a faulty argument
  • Chapter winner — every lesson at mastery ★

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1

Equally likely outcomes

समप्रायिक परिणाम · Opening of NCERT 14.1 · questions 2 and 3

New
Equally likely outcomesHTEqually likely outcomes — each has the same chance
Two faces of a coin, six faces of a die — when every one is equally possible.
The same hope for every outcomeNotes

A fair coin is symmetrical. In a random toss, heads and tails are equally likely. The book does not count landing on the edge.

The six faces of a die are equally likely. A car starting, or a basketball shot landing, is not equally likely. The book treats a true-false guess and the birth of a boy or a girl as equally likely. In question 3 the coin is fair because there is no tilt toward either side.

The list first, then equal or notActivity

Write the names of the outcomes. If practice, weather or skill tilts one side, do not call them equally likely. In a bag of 4 red balls and 1 blue ball, red and blue are not equally likely. Drawing any one particular ball is equally likely.

Worked exampleExample

Question: A coin is tossed once. The probability of heads.

Formula: P = favourable / total, when the outcomes are equally likely.

Substitution: Favourable 1, total 2. 1/2.

Answer: 1/2. The probability of tails is also 1/2.

10-second revision
  • Heads and tails are both 1/2
  • One face of a die is 1/6
  • A game of skill is not equally likely
Board tip · BSEBBoard tip

In a BSEB answer write yes or no for question 2 with one reason.

Board tip · CBSEBoard tip

On CBSE do not call 4 red and 1 blue equally likely.

Check your understandingall correct = mastery ★
1
The probability of heads on one coin is —
Check
2
A basketball shot landing or missing is treated as equally likely.
Check
3
The probability of one face of a die is ______.
Check
4
A random answer to a true-false question is —
Check
5
Why is a car starting not equally likely?
Check2 marks
Next lesson →
2

P(E) and an elementary event

P(E) और प्राथमिक घटना · The definition · lines 1 and 5 of the summary

New
The favourable share of the wholeNotes

An event is a group of one or more outcomes. An event with only one outcome is an elementary event.

P(E) = favourable outcomes / total equally likely outcomes. The probabilities of the elementary events add to 1. A die has six elementary events and 6 × (1/6) = 1.

The same total under every fractionActivity

Three red and five black balls make 8. Red is 3/8, black is 5/8. The bottom of the fraction stays 8 every time. The top changes. Writing 3/5 treats the total as the black balls.

Probability stays between 0 and 10P(E)1impossiblean event betweensureP(E) + P(not E) = 1
On the left, 0 is impossible. In the middle, P(E). On the right, 1 is sure. Below, the complement adds to 1.
Worked exampleExample

Question: The probability of one red ball from 3 red and 5 black.

Formula: P = favourable / total.

Substitution: Favourable 3, total 8. 3/8.

Answer: 3/8. Not red, that is black, is 5/8.

10-second revision
  • The bottom is the total
  • 3/8 and 5/8
  • Elementary events add to 1
Board tip · BSEBBoard tip

In a BSEB answer write favourable and total on two short lines.

Board tip · CBSEBoard tip

On CBSE turn a fraction into a decimal only when the question asks. Leave 3/8 as it is.

Check your understandingall correct = mastery ★
1
With 3 red and 5 black, the probability of red is —
Check
2
The probabilities of the elementary events add to 1.
Check
3
A die has ______ elementary events.
Check
4
The probability of a black ball is —
Check
5
An elementary event holds many outcomes at once.
Check
6
From 5 red, 8 white and 4 green marbles, write the probabilities of white and of not green.
Check3 marks
Next lesson →
3

0, 1 and the complement

0, 1 और पूरक · Exercise 14.1 questions 1, 4, 5, 6, 7

New
0, 1 and the complementHTEqually likely outcomes — each has the same chance
Two faces of a coin, six faces of a die — when every one is equally possible.
Nothing sits outside the stripNotes

An impossible event has probability 0. A sure event has 1. Every event between them lies between these.

P(E) + P(not E) = 1. In a bag of only lemon candies, orange is 0 and lemon is 1. If P(E) = 0.05, then not E = 0.95. If not sharing a birthday is 0.992, sharing one is 0.008. −1.5 cannot be a probability.

Subtract from 1Activity

The complement is not a fresh count when one probability is already given. 1 − 0.05 = 0.95. 1 − 0.992 = 0.008. Turn a percent into a decimal first: 15 percent = 0.15, and that is allowed.

Worked exampleExample

Question: P(E) = 0.05. Find P(not E).

Formula: P(not E) = 1 − P(E).

Substitution: 1 − 0.05 = 0.95.

Answer: 0.95.

10-second revision
  • 0 impossible, 1 sure
  • The complement of 0.05 is 0.95
  • −1.5 is rejected
Board tip · BSEBBoard tip

In a BSEB answer complete the five blanks of question 1 one by one.

Board tip · CBSEBoard tip

On CBSE do not pick 15 percent as the impossible number. Pick −1.5.

Check your understandingall correct = mastery ★
1
This cannot be a probability —
Check
2
In a bag of only lemon candies, the probability of orange is 0.
Check
3
If P(E) = 0.05, then P(not E) = ______.
Check
4
The probability that two students do not share a birthday is 0.992. Find the probability that they do.
Check2 marks
Next lesson →
4

Coins, an arrow and a fish

सिक्के, तीर और मछली · Exercise 14.1 questions 10, 11 and 12

New
Coins, an arrow and a fishHTEqually likely outcomes — each has the same chance
Two faces of a coin, six faces of a die — when every one is equally possible.
Add the total firstNotes

The piggy bank has 100 fifty-paise coins, 50 one-rupee coins, 20 two-rupee coins and 10 five-rupee coins. The total is 180 coins.

Fifty paise is 100/180 = 5/9. Not a five-rupee coin is 170/180 = 17/18. The fish are 5 male and 8 female, total 13, so male is 5/13. The arrow stops on 1 to 8. The probability of 8 is 1/8, and a number less than 9 is sure, probability 1.

Count odd and greater than 2 apartActivity

From 1 to 8 the odd numbers are 1, 3, 5 and 7, four of them. The probability is 4/8 = 1/2. Greater than 2 are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, six of them. The probability is 6/8 = 3/4. The number 2 itself is not in that list.

Worked exampleExample

Question: Of 180 coins, 100 are fifty paise. One coin falls out. The probability it is fifty paise.

Formula: P = 100/180.

Substitution: 100/180 = 10/18 = 5/9.

Answer: 5/9.

10-second revision
  • 180 coins in all
  • Fifty paise is 5/9
  • 8 on the arrow is 1/8
Board tip · BSEBBoard tip

In a BSEB answer write the addition line for the total 180 first.

Board tip · CBSEBoard tip

On CBSE do not write 0 for a number less than 9. The arrow only goes to 8, so this is 1.

Check your understandingall correct = mastery ★
1
Among 180 coins, the probability of fifty paise is —
Check
2
On the arrow, the probability of a number less than 9 is 1.
Check
3
The probability of a male fish is ______.
Check
4
The probability of an odd number on the arrow is —
Check
5
Find the probability that a five-rupee coin does not fall out. Total 180, and there are 10 such coins.
Check2 marks
Next lesson →
5

A die and a pack of cards

पासा और ताश · Exercise 14.1 questions 13 and 14

New
A die and a pack of cardsHTEqually likely outcomes — each has the same chance
Two faces of a coin, six faces of a die — when every one is equally possible.
52 cards, four suitsNotes

A pack has 52 cards. Each suit has 13. Jack, queen and king are the face cards, 12 in all. Red face cards are 6.

On a die the primes are 2, 3 and 5, probability 3/6 = 1/2. Between 2 and 6 are 3, 4 and 5, again 1/2. A red king is 2/52 = 1/26. A spade is 13/52 = 1/4. One named card is 1/52.

Look at face and colour togetherActivity

A red face card demands both conditions. Half of the 12 face cards are red, so 6/52 = 3/26. A face card alone is 12/52 = 3/13. The jack of hearts is one card, 1/52.

AskFavourableProbability
Red king21/26
Face card123/13
Red face63/26
Spade131/4
Worked exampleExample

Question: The probability of a spade from a well-shuffled pack.

Formula: P = 13/52.

Substitution: 13/52 = 1/4.

Answer: 1/4.

10-second revision
  • A prime has probability 1/2
  • A face card is 3/13
  • One named card is 1/52
Board tip · BSEBBoard tip

In a BSEB answer write 52 under every fraction and then simplify.

Board tip · CBSEBoard tip

On CBSE do not forget the queen and the king apart from the jack. Face cards are of three kinds.

Check your understandingall correct = mastery ★
1
The probability of a prime on a die is —
Check
2
The probability of a spade is 1/4.
Check
3
The probability of a red king is ______.
Check
4
The probability of a face card is —
Check
5
The king of diamonds and a red king are the same count.
Check
6
Write both probabilities: the jack of hearts, and a red face card.
Check2 marks
Next lesson →
6

Without putting it back

बिना वापस रखे · Exercise 14.1 questions 15, 16, 17 and 18

New
Without putting it backHTEqually likely outcomes — each has the same chance
Two faces of a coin, six faces of a die — when every one is equally possible.
The second time, the total fallsNotes

From five cards the queen is 1/5. Remove the queen and four cards remain. An ace is 1/4 and a queen is now 0.

Pens are 12 bad + 132 good = 144. Good is 132/144 = 11/12. Bulbs are 4 bad and 16 good. After a good one is drawn and not replaced, 15 of the remaining 19 are good. A good bulb is 15/19. Among discs 1 to 90, two-digit numbers are 81/90 = 9/10.

Do not count the removed card againActivity

The first queen was favourable and is no longer in the set. The second time, the probability of a queen is 0. The ace is still one, but the total has become 4. In a without-replacement question, write the two totals apart.

Worked exampleExample

Question: Of 20 bulbs, 4 are bad. A good one is drawn and not replaced. The probability of a good bulb now.

Formula: P = good left / total left.

Substitution: There were 16 good. After one good is removed, 15. Total 19. 15/19.

Answer: 15/19.

10-second revision
  • The second queen has probability 0
  • A good pen is 11/12
  • The next good bulb is 15/19
Board tip · BSEBBoard tip

In a BSEB answer write the totals of the first and second draws apart.

Board tip · CBSEBoard tip

On CBSE do not write 16/19. A good bulb has already left, so 15 remain.

Check your understandingall correct = mastery ★
1
After the queen is removed, the probability of a queen is —
Check
2
Among 144 pens, the probability of a good pen is 11/12.
Check
3
The probability of the next good bulb is ______.
Check
4
Find the probability of a perfect square on discs numbered 1 to 90.
Check3 marks
Next lesson →
7

Two dice and a faulty argument

दो पासे और गलत तर्क · Exercise 14.1 questions 22 to 25 · summary

New
Two dice and a faulty argumentHTEqually likely outcomes — each has the same chance
Two faces of a coin, six faces of a die — when every one is equally possible.
There are fewer names than outcomesNotes

Two dice have 36 ordered outcomes. The sum 7 can happen in six ways, probability 6/36 = 1/6. Calling the eleven sums 1/11 is wrong.

Three coins have 8 outcomes. All three alike happens in only two ways, so the loss is 6/8 = 3/4. A die thrown twice is the same experiment as two dice. No 5 at all has probability 25/36. On two coins, one of each has probability 1/2, not 1/3. The argument that an odd number is 1/2 is correct.

Order is a different outcomeActivity

Head-tail and tail-head are two outcomes. Do not fold them into one name and make three outcomes. On two dice, (1,2) and (2,1) are different too. Question 20 is about area, and the book does not count it for the examination.

Worked exampleExample

Question: A die is thrown twice. The probability of at least one 5.

Formula: P(at least one) = 1 − P(none).

Substitution: Not 5 once = 5/6. Twice, (5/6)×(5/6) = 25/36. 1 − 25/36 = 11/36.

Answer: 11/36.

10-second revision
  • Two dice = 36 outcomes
  • The sum 7 has probability 1/6
  • At least one 5 has probability 11/36
Board tip · BSEBBoard tip

In a BSEB answer show a small part of the table of 36, not all 36 lines.

Board tip · CBSEBoard tip

On CBSE do not accept the arguments that use 1/11 and 1/3. Count the outcomes.

Check your understandingall correct = mastery ★
1
The probability of sum 7 on two dice is —
Check
2
On two coins, the probability of one head and one tail is 1/3.
Check
3
On three coins, the probability of losing is ______.
Check
4
The argument that an odd face on a die has probability 1/2 is —
Check
5
A die is thrown twice. Write the probability of no 5 either time and of at least one 5.
Check3 marks
Question bank →

❓ Full question bank — with answers and explanations — 65 questions

No question is marked as a verified past paper. The BSEB set is a model for practice. CBSE items are CBSE-style, not a copy of any year’s paper.

Multiple choice

0/12
Pick one option. A wrong try brings a hint.
1
Heads on one coin is —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
2
This is not a probability —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
3
Red among 3 red and 5 black is —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
4
If P(E) = 0.05, not E is —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
5
The probability of fifty paise is —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
6
A male fish is —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
7
A spade is —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
8
A good pen is —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
9
The sum 7 is —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
10
At least one 5 is —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
11
Losing on three coins is —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
12
The next good bulb is —
Board-style (practice)1 mark
↑ Question hub

True or false

0/8
1
A basketball shot is equally likely.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
2
An impossible event has probability 0.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
3
−1.5 is a probability.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
4
Elementary events add to 1.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
5
On two coins, one of each has probability 1/3.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
6
Two dice have 36 outcomes.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
7
After the queen is removed, a second queen has probability 0.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
8
The argument that an odd face has probability 1/2 is wrong.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
↑ Question hub

Fill in the blanks

0/8
1
The probability of heads is ______.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
2
The complement of 0.05 is ______.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
3
The probability of a shared birthday is ______.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
4
A red ball is ______.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
5
A spade is ______.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
6
A square disc is ______.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
7
No 5 is ______.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
8
Fifty paise is ______.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
↑ Question hub

Match

0/2
1
Match the event with the probability.
Board-style (practice)2 marks
Column B: A. 1/2 · B. 1 · C. 0 · D. 1/6
1. Sure
2. Impossible
3. One die face
4. Heads
2
Match the question with its answer.
NCERT-style · practice2 marks
Column B: A. 11/36 · B. 0.95 · C. 3/8 · D. 1/4
1. Question 5
2. Question 8 red
3. Question 14 spade
4. Question 24 at least one 5
↑ Question hub

Assertion–reason

0/5
Check both statements, then see whether the reason explains the assertion.
1

Assertion (A): If P(E) = 0.05, the probability of not E is 0.95.

Reason (R): Complementary events add to 1.

Board-style (practice)1 mark
2

Assertion (A): −1.5 is a possible probability.

Reason (R): Probability stays between 0 and 1, ends included.

Board-style (practice)1 mark
3

Assertion (A): On two dice the probability of sum 7 is 1/6.

Reason (R): The 11 names of the sums are equally likely.

CBSE-style · competency-based (not a PYQ)1 mark
4

Assertion (A): The probability of a spade is 1/4.

Reason (R): The probability of a prime on a die is 1/2.

Board-style (practice)1 mark
5

Assertion (A): After the queen is removed, the probability of another queen is 0.

Reason (R): That one queen has left the set, and four of the five cards remain.

NCERT-style · practice1 mark
↑ Question hub

Coefficient practice

0/4
These chemistry lines are not a result of this maths chapter. They are only practice in filling coefficients. A blank means 1.
1
This is coefficient practice and not a result of this chapter. In the water line, Fill coefficients (blank = 1).
Board-style (practice)1 mark
H2 + O2 → H2O
2
This is coefficient practice and not a result of this chapter. In the line of H2 and O2, Fill coefficients (blank = 1).
Board-style (practice)1 mark
H2 + O2 → H2O
3
This is coefficient practice and not a result of this chapter. In this coefficient line, Fill coefficients (blank = 1).
Board-style (practice)1 mark
H2 + O2 → H2O
4
This is coefficient practice and not a result of this chapter. In the line with blank coefficients, Fill coefficients (blank = 1).
Board-style (practice)1 mark
H2 + O2 → H2O
↑ Question hub

Classify

0/2
1
Place each number as a kind of probability.
Board-style (practice)2 marks
0
1
3/8
−1.5
2
Place each experiment as equally likely or not.
NCERT-style · practice2 marks
A fair coin
A basketball shot
A car starting
A true-false guess
↑ Question hub

Very short answer

0/5
1
Write the formula for P(E).
Board-style (practice)1 mark
2
Write the complement relation.
Board-style (practice)1 mark
3
Why is −1.5 not a probability?
NCERT-style · practice2 marks
4
Write the total outcomes of two dice.
Board-style (practice)2 marks
5
Write the probabilities of a sure event and an impossible event.
Board-style (practice)2 marks
↑ Question hub

Short answer

0/4
1
From 3 red and 5 black, find red and not red.
Board-style (practice)3 marks
2
From a pack, find a red king and a face card.
NCERT-style · practice3 marks
3
20 bulbs, 4 bad. A good one is drawn and not replaced. The probability of good now.
Board-style (practice)3 marks
4
A die twice. No 5, and at least one 5.
Board-style (practice)3 marks
↑ Question hub

Long answer

0/3
1
Of 180 coins, 100 are fifty paise and 10 are five-rupee. Find both fifty paise and not a five-rupee coin.
Board-style (practice)5 marks
2
Two coins are tossed together. Find the probability of one head and one tail, and say why 1/3 is wrong.
NCERT-style · practice5 marks
3
Three coins are tossed. A win is all three alike. Find the probability of losing.
BSEB model · practice (not an annual paper)5 marks
↑ Question hub

BSEB model paper · practice

0/6

This model set is for practice. It is not a question from any year’s annual examination.

1
The probability of a square disc is —
BSEB model · practice (not an annual paper)1 mark
2
On the lettered die, the probability of A is —
BSEB model · practice (not an annual paper)1 mark
3
Among 144 pens the probability of a purchase is ______, when 20 are bad.
BSEB model · practice (not an annual paper)1 mark
4
Find the probability of a disc from 1 to 90 that is divisible by 5.
BSEB model · practice (not an annual paper)3 marks
5
An arrow stops on 1 to 8. Write all four probabilities: 8, odd, greater than 2, and less than 9.
BSEB model · practice (not an annual paper)5 marks
6

Assertion (A): In a bag of only lemon candies, the probability of lemon is 1.

Reason (R): The probability of orange is also 1.

BSEB model · practice (not an annual paper)1 mark
↑ Question hub

CBSE-style questions

0/6

These are competency-based practice questions. They are not a copy of any year’s paper.

1
A student writes 1/3 for one of each on two coins. The correct probability is —
CBSE-style · competency-based (not a PYQ)1 mark
2
A student writes 1/11 for the sum 7. The correct probability is —
CBSE-style · competency-based (not a PYQ)1 mark
3

Assertion (A): The probability of odd on a die is 1/2.

Reason (R): There are three odd and three even faces.

CBSE-style · competency-based (not a PYQ)1 mark
4

Assertion (A): Question 20 is a compulsory calculation for the examination.

Reason (R): The book writes on that question that it is not from the examination point of view.

CBSE-style · competency-based (not a PYQ)1 mark
5
A student calls 4 red and 1 blue equally likely. How far is that right?
CBSE-style · competency-based (not a PYQ)3 marks
6
From five cards the queen is drawn and removed. Write the probabilities of an ace and of a queen the second time.
CBSE-style · competency-based (not a PYQ)3 marks
↑ Question hub

🏛️ Board exam corner — Bihar Board (BSEB)— CBSE

Switch board with BSEB | CBSE above. The lessons follow the same NCERT chapter.

BSEB model · practiceBoard tip

This page has no verified annual-exam question, because no source page has been added. The model set below is practice in the board pattern.

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CBSE-style · competency-based

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🧠 What you learned + equation sheet

What you learned

WhatKeep this
FormulaP(E) = अनुकूल / कुल
SureP = 1
ImpossibleP = 0
ComplementP(E) + P(नहीं E) = 1
Dieएक अंक 1/6
Cards52 पत्ते, एक पत्ता 1/52

The notes are original writing. The textbook was used only for activity order and numbers. “Verified” will be used only on a question that has a source page.