Roll a die and flip a coin, how many outcomes

Step by step

The question

Question: A die is rolled and a coin is flipped.

How many outcomes are there?

1 Count the choices

2 Multiply

Each of the 6 die goes with 2 coin.

So we multiply: 6 × 2.

This is the counting principle: multiply the number of choices.

6 groups of 2: that is 6 times 2.

Careful!

We do not add the choices.

Every choice goes with every other one, so we multiply.

6 times 2 is 12.

So there are 12 outcomes.

3 Check

Let's check: 12 divided by 6 is 2.

That gives back the 2 choices.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: count the choices.

Then: multiply.

Last: check.