You randomly select one card from a 52 -card deck. Find the probability of selecting an ace of
a five.
The probability is . (Type an integer or a fraction. Simplify your answer:)

In a standard 52-card deck, there are 4 aces and 4 fives. However, these are distinct cards, meaning you cannot select an “ace of a five”. This suggests that if you’re seeking to find the probability of drawing a card that is both an ace and a five simultaneously, it is impossible—this probability is 0. Therefore, the probability is .

The probability function is a vital concept in statistics and helps us understand how likely an event is to occur. But remember, probabilities are bounded between 0 and 1, where 0 means impossible, and 1 means certainty. This principle is crucial in various real-world situations, from gambling to risk assessment in finance!

Understanding fundamental facts about probability can help prevent a lot of common mistakes. One major pitfall is misinterpretation of the event—like thinking “ace of a five” is a valid card. It’s essential to visualize the problem correctly and recognize the distinct categories or conditions of the items involved before calculating probabilities.