outcome

Everyday

1. An outcome is the result of something, what happens in the end. tree →
2. In maths probability an outcome is one possible result of an event, like heads or tails when you toss a coin. tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons on chance, pupils list all possible outcomes: a dice has 6 outcomes, a coin has 2. Probability is the number of favourable outcomes divided by all outcomes. In everyday life and stories the outcome is how a game, vote or plan ends. Phrases: the final outcome, a good outcome, possible outcomes.

Examples

• What was the outcome of the match? tree →
• Rolling a dice has six possible outcomes. tree →
• Heads is one outcome of tossing a coin. tree →
• We were happy with the outcome of the vote. tree →
• List all the outcomes of spinning the spinner. tree →
• Nobody knew what the outcome would be. tree →
• The doctor hoped for a good outcome. tree →
• Each outcome on a fair dice is equally likely. tree →
• This collection of Japanese fairy tales is the outcome of a suggestion made to me indirectly through a friend by Mr. Andrew Lang. tree →

Note

Countable noun: an outcome, outcomes; starts with a vowel sound, so «an». Stress on the first part: OUT-come. In maths, outcomes are counted: if 2 out of 6 outcomes are wins, the chance of winning is 2/6 = 1/3. Do not confuse «outcome» (result) with «income» (money earned).