Question

It was Robin's birthday and she knew she was going to have a good day. She was driving to work, and when she turned on the radio, her favorite song was playing. Besides, the traffic light at the main intersection she crossed to get to work was green when she arrived, something that seemed to happen less than once a week. When she arrived at work, rather than having to search as she usually did, she found an empty parking space right in front of the building. Identify three random circumstances in the story, and give the possible outcomes for each of them. (Select all that apply.)

Answer 1

1.Random circumstance: Color of traffic light when Robin approaches the main intersection. Possible outcomes: Traffic light is green when Robin arrives, or Traffic light is not green when Robin arrives.

2.Random circumstance: Song on the radio when first turned on. Possible outcomes: Robin's favorite song is playing, or Robin's favorite song is not playing.

4.Random circumstance: Nearest available parking space. Possible outcomes: Robin finds an empty parking space in front of the building, or Robin does not find an empty parking space in front of the building.

Explanation:

A random circumstance is one whose outcome cannot be predicted because we either do not have the full details of the matter or it has not been confirmed yet by a reliable source. In the short description of events provided above;

1.The color of the traffic light is unpredictable because it is not under the control of the drivers but is automated.

2. Robin's favorite song playing on the radio is a random circumstance because she has no control over what song is played. So, she might as well have tuned in and it would be her least favorite song playing.

3. Robin driving into the office and finding the parking space empty is a random circumstance because it is not predictable. She might have come in and found the entire space filled.