Probability Word Problems- Free Worksheets with Answers

What Are Probability Word Problems?

Probability word problems describe real-world situations where you need to calculate the likelihood of an event happening. Instead of just giving you numbers, these problems tell a story — then ask you to find the answer.

Here's the catch: most students can handle simple probability formulas. But when those formulas get buried in paragraphs of text, everything falls apart. They misread the problem, pick the wrong numbers, and get the answer wrong every single time.

That's exactly why these worksheets exist.

Why Students Struggle With These Problems

Three reasons. That's it:

• Reading comprehension fails first. Students rush through the text and grab the first two numbers they see.
• They don't identify what's being asked. "Find the probability of A or B" looks different from "Find the probability of A and B." Students mix these up constantly.
• They skip labeling units. Without tracking what each number represents, they combine incompatible values.

These worksheets fix all three problems by giving you practice with every variation.

Types of Probability Problems You'll Find

Basic Single Event Problems

These ask about one thing happening. Example: "A bag has 5 red and 3 blue marbles. What's the probability of drawing a red marble?"

Formula: P(Event) = Number of favorable outcomes ÷ Total outcomes

Compound Probability: "And" Problems

Two events both need to happen. Example: "Drawing two aces in a row from a deck without replacement."

Formula: P(A and B) = P(A) × P(B)

Compound Probability: "Or" Problems

Either one event or another happens. Example: "What's the probability of drawing a heart or a face card?"

Formula: P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) − P(A and B)

Conditional Probability

One event affects the next. Example: "If it rained yesterday, what's the probability it rains today?"

Formula: P(B|A) = P(A and B) ÷ P(A)

Free Probability Word Problem Worksheets

Below are practice problems with answers. Copy them. Print them. Use them however you need.

Worksheet 1: Basic Probability

Problem 1: A spinner has 8 equal sections numbered 1-8. What is the probability of landing on an even number?

Answer: Even numbers are 2, 4, 6, 8 = 4 favorable outcomes. P = 4/8 = 1/2 or 0.5

Problem 2: A class has 12 boys and 18 girls. If one student is chosen at random, what's the probability it's a girl?

Answer: Total = 30 students. Favorable = 18 girls. P = 18/30 = 3/5 or 0.6

Problem 3: Two dice are rolled. What is the probability of getting a sum of 7?

Answer: Total outcomes = 36. Combinations that sum to 7: (1,6), (2,5), (3,4), (4,3), (5,2), (6,1) = 6 outcomes. P = 6/36 = 1/6

Worksheet 2: Compound "And" Problems

Problem 1: A bag contains 4 green and 6 yellow marbles. You draw two marbles WITH replacement. What is the probability both are green?

Answer: P(first green) = 4/10 = 2/5. P(second green) = 4/10 = 2/5. P(both) = 2/5 × 2/5 = 4/25 = 0.16

Problem 2: A deck has 52 cards. You draw two cards WITHOUT replacement. What is the probability both are kings?

Answer: P(first king) = 4/52 = 1/13. P(second king | first was king) = 3/51 = 1/17. P(both) = 1/13 × 1/17 = 1/221 ≈ 0.0045

Worksheet 3: Compound "Or" Problems

Problem 1: What is the probability of drawing a heart OR a king from a standard deck?

Answer: P(heart) = 13/52 = 1/4. P(king) = 4/52 = 1/13. P(king of hearts) = 1/52. P(heart or king) = 13/52 + 4/52 - 1/52 = 16/52 = 4/13 ≈ 0.3077

Problem 2: A survey shows 60% of students like math and 45% like science. If 20% like both, what percent like math OR science?

Answer: P(M or S) = P(M) + P(S) - P(M and S) = 0.60 + 0.45 - 0.20 = 0.85 or 85%

Worksheet 4: Mixed Word Problems

Problem 1: A candy jar has 10 chocolate, 7 vanilla, and 5 strawberry candies. If you pick two candies WITHOUT replacement, what is the probability both are chocolate?

Answer: Total = 22 candies. P(first chocolate) = 10/22 = 5/11. P(second chocolate | first was chocolate) = 9/21 = 3/7. P(both) = 5/11 × 3/7 = 15/77 ≈ 0.195

Problem 2: A basketball player makes 75% of free throws. If she takes 3 shots, what is the probability she makes at least 2?

Answer: P(at least 2) = P(exactly 2) + P(exactly 3). P(exactly 2) = 3 choose 2 × (0.75)² × (0.25) = 3 × 0.5625 × 0.25 = 0.421875. P(exactly 3) = (0.75)³ = 0.421875. P(at least 2) = 0.421875 + 0.421875 = 0.84375 ≈ 84.4%

How to Solve Probability Word Problems (Step by Step)

Here's the process. Follow it every time.

Step 1: Read the entire problem twice

Don't grab numbers on the first read. Get the full picture first.

Step 2: Identify what the question wants

Are you finding P(A), P(A and B), P(A or B), or P(A|B)? Write the formula before you plug anything in.

Step 3: List your favorable outcomes and total outcomes

Separate these clearly. Many students mix them up.

Step 4: Plug in and simplify

Reduce fractions. Convert to decimals or percentages if needed.

Step 5: Check your work

Ask yourself: does this answer make sense? If you got a probability over 1, you messed up.

Probability Word Problem Worksheet Answers Table

Where to Find More Free Worksheets

You don't need to pay for practice materials. These sources offer solid free worksheets:

• Khan Academy — Free lessons with practice problems that adapt to your level
• IXL Learning — Subscription-based but has free sample problems
• CommonCoreSheets.com — Generates randomized probability worksheets by grade level
• EdHelper — Has free samples; full access requires subscription
• Your textbook's website — Usually has supplementary materials included with book purchase

Stop Overcomplicating This

Probability word problems aren't hard because the math is complex. They're hard because you haven't seen enough of them yet.

Download the worksheets above. Work through every problem. Check your answers. When you get one wrong, figure out why — don't just move on.

That's it. Practice beats everything else.