Question

A weather report for Eastern Ontario was a 40% probability of snow the next day. What are the odds against it snowing the next day?

Answer 1

The probability of an event occurring plus the probability of the event not occurring is equal to 1. So, the probability of it not snowing the next day is:

1 - 0.4 = 0.6

To express this as odds against it snowing, we divide the probability of it not snowing by the probability of it snowing:

0.6 / 0.4 = 1.5

Therefore, the odds against it snowing the next day are 1.5 to 1.

Answer 2

The odds against it snowing the next day can be found by subtracting the probability of it snowing (40%) from 100% (the total possible outcomes) and then expressing it as a ratio of non-snowing outcomes to snowing outcomes.

100% - 40% = 60%

The odds against it snowing the next day are 60:40 or 3:2 (simplifying the ratio).