ABSTRACT
This chapter talks about basic rules of calculating probabilities for independent events, "and" statements, and "or" statements. It explores how permutations and combinations are used to determine the probability of certain outcomes. The chapter deals with a demonstration of how combinations can be used to construct a frequency distribution of probabilities on which the normal curve is theoretically based. Flips of a coin or gender of a child are considered discrete events because they can only occur in fixed categories: heads or tails, male or female. Discrete events such as this are also reflective of a nominal level of measurement; per se, no numerical value can be directly applied to them. Z distributions, on the other hand, reflect continuous variables: weights, heights, income levels, etc. These types of variables represent a literally infinite number of possible outcomes and, as such, they are considered an interval/ratio level of measurement.
