medium difficulty5 min

Sample space for die throw

The sample space for throwing a die once is the set of all possible faces that can appear.

In one line: A die has six faces, so the sample space has six numbers.

Understand it

A standard die has six faces marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. So the sample space for one throw is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}. This is one of the most basic sample spaces in Class 10 probability and is used again and again in exam questions.

Example

For one die throw, the sample space is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.

Formula and rule

For one standard die throw, S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.

See it worked out

Follow the example line by line, then use the same method on new questions.

Worked example

1If one die is thrown, the total number of possible outcomes is 6.
2Therefore, the probability of getting any one exact face, such as 4, is 1/6.

Method you can reuse

1Recognise the object as a standard die.
2Write all six face numbers.
3Check that no number is missing.
4Use the list for counting favourable outcomes.

Check yourself

Answer the question in your head before opening the answer.

Try it yourself

What is the sample space for one throw of a standard die?

Think first, then show answer

The sample space is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}, because a standard die has six faces and any one of them can appear.

Common wrong answer

A common wrong answer is {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5} because the student thinks counting starts from zero, which is not true for a die.

Don't mix this up

Students sometimes include 0 or forget one face when writing the sample space.

Exam tip

For a single die, always write all six faces before starting any probability calculation.

Write it in the exam

Each point is worth about one mark. Write point 1 for a 1-mark question and keep adding points as the marks go up.

How CBSE asks it

Students may be asked to write the sample space, count outcomes, or find probability of a numbered face.

1
Enough for 1 mark
The sample space for throwing a die once is the set of all possible faces that can appear.
2
Add for 2 marks
Example: For one die throw, the sample space is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.
3
Add for 3 marks
A standard die has six faces marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

MCQ Quiz

Practice this concept with focused MCQs

Open the concept quiz intro first, review the test details, and then start a focused MCQ set from this concept only. Instant score and answer review are live now.

10 MCQs5 MinutesInstant Results

Practice This Concept

Help improve this page

Found something confusing, incorrect, or missing?