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Probability of cards in order

Probability of drawing specific cards from a hand in order

This math skill teaches how to calculate the probability of drawing specific cards in sequence from a given hand. It involves understanding dependent events, since drawing one card affects the probability of drawing the next. The probabilities are multiplied to find the combined chance of drawing the cards in order.

Learn probability of cards in order

Teaching Transcript

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What is the probability of drawing a king, then and ace, in sequence from this hand?

These are dependent events, since drawing the first card will change the hand by removing one card. We need both the king and the ace draw to happen, so it's an intersection, or multiplication, of probabilities. The second probability is the chance of drawing an ace, given that the king has been drawn.

Drawing a king on our first draw is a relatively simple 1 in 6 probability.

But now, since the king has been drawn, we only have 5 cards remaining and 2 aces, for a 2 out of 5 probability

Multiplying these together, we get 2 over 30, which simplifies to 1 over 15 as our answer.

Skill Practice

Probability of drawing specific cards from a hand in order

Test your understanding of probability of cards in order by practicing it! Work through the below exercises to use it in practice.