Sample Space
The sample space S (or Ω) is the universal set containing every possible outcome of an experiment. Any event is a subset of the sample space, and the probability of the entire sample space is 1: P(S) = 1.
Real World
The National Lottery defines its sample space as all possible combinations of 6 numbers from 1–59; every ticket outcome must fall within this space, and the total probability across all outcomes is exactly 1.
Exam Focus
Always list the full sample space before calculating probabilities — missing outcomes is the most common source of lost marks.
How well did you know this?