[Math] The probability of two dice both returning even numbers

combinatoricsprobability

I'm fairly certain that the probability of both dice returning an even number is $1/4$.

I got this by saying that since these are independent events, with each die returning an even number being $1/2$, then the probability of both being even is $1/2 \times 1/2 = 1/4$.

Further, there are 36 outcomes, and all possible even number combinations are $(2, 2), (2, 4), (2, 6), (4, 4), (4, 6), (6, 6), (6, 4), (6, 2), (4, 2)$. There are nine of them and $9/36 = 1/4$

What I can't seem to get over, is that there are an equal number of odd and even numbers, so, why is the answer not $1/2$?

I know that it's not one half, but I can't explain why.

Best Answer

What I can't seem to get over, is that there are an equal number of odd and even numbers, so, why is the answer not 1/2 ?

Because they are not complementary events.   There is another possibility.

The probability that both dice show even numbers is: $1/4$

The probability that both dice show odd numbers is: $1/4$

The probability that one die shows even and the other shows odd is: $1/2$

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