Probability diagrams
Lesson overview
Outcomes
Use Freemind or Word to create tree diagrams listing all possible
outcomes of a simple event.
Stage 4
Software used
NS 4.4 Solves probability problems
involving simple events.
Freemind, Word
Stage 5
NS 5.1.3 Determines relative frequencies
and theoretical probabilities
Stage 6 General Mathematics
PB3 Multi-stage events
Freemind is a software program that organises
information by creating mind maps, concept maps
or structured overviews. It can also be used to draw
tree diagrams or probability trees.
In Freemind, information is stored in text boxes,
called nodes. Nodes are connected together using
curved lines called edges.
6. Press the Insert key (Ins on the keyboard)
and type the name of the first outcome
option: Heads
7. Press the Enter key and another node on
the same level should appear
Ask your students to use Freemind to create a tree
diagram showing all the possible outcomes for an
event.
Have them take a screen print of the diagram, copy
into Word or OneNote, and list the sample space
beside the diagram.
They then need to determine the theoretical
outcome of each event as a fraction and as a
percentage, before performing the experiment and
recording the data.
Ask your students to explain any differences
between experimental probability results and the
theoretical probability calculated.
8. Click in the outcome 1 option 1 node and
press Insert. A secondary node will appear.
Continue to press Insert for new levels of
nodes and Enter for more nodes on the
same level.
9. Click and drag the oval shape that appears
when you roll your mouse over the front of
any node to move it.
Instructions for using Freemind to draw
tree diagrams
Open Freemind
1. Click on the New Mindmap oval, delete the
text and enter a new subject such as Toss a
coin twice
© Commonwealth of Australia 2009
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Instructions for using SmartArt in Word for
drawing tree diagrams
Open a new Word document.
6. To add another series at the end, select the
top right hand heads rectangle, then select
Add Shape/Add Shape Below
1. On the Insert tab click SmartArt
2. Scroll down until you see this image
(Horizontal Hierarchy) in the hierarchy
section:
7. Add colour or style to highlight various
aspects of the diagram such as the
outcomes.
3. Select and press OK.
4. Type the text you require into each of the
boxes.
5. To create more nodes, click on the bottom
right heads rectangle then select Add
Shape/Add Shape After
© Commonwealth of Australia 2009
8. Students may like to change the design
style,
9. Or change colours using the usual methods.
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