A bag contains 3 blue, 5 black, 6 red and 6 chrome hairclips. Gillian is going to do her hair. Find the probability she chooses a hairclip that is not red.

To find the probability of Gillian choosing a hairclip that is not red, first calculate the total number of hairclips in the bag. There are 3 blue, 5 black, 6 red, and 6 chrome hairclips, which totals 20 hairclips. Since there are 6 red hairclips, the number of hairclips that are not red is 20 - 6 = 14. Thus, the probability that she chooses a hairclip that is not red is 14/20, which simplifies to 7/10 or 0.7. Did you know the concept of probability dates back to ancient civilizations? The Babylonians and Egyptians used basic forms of probability through games of chance. Fast forward to the invention of probability theory in the 17th century by mathematicians like Blaise Pascal and Pierre de Fermat, and voilà! Probability has since evolved into a key part of mathematics and statistics that helps us make sense of uncertainty in everyday life. In practical terms, probability can come in handy beyond just puzzles or games! For instance, businesses use probability to predict customer behavior. Imagine a store calculating the likelihood of customers buying certain products during a sale—this data-driven approach not only enhances strategies but also improves inventory management. So, next time you think about probabilities, remember—they help inform real-world decisions!