Tree Diagram
A tool used to help calculate and provide a visual representation of probabilities
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What is a Tree Diagram?
A tree diagram is used in mathematics – more specifically, in probability theory – as a tool to help calculate and provide a visual representation of probabilities. The outcome of a certain event can be found at the end of each branch in the tree diagram.
Summary
- Tree diagrams are used in mathematics to help illustrate the probability of certain events occurring; events are either dependent – one can’t happen without another – or independent – one does not affect the other.
- Tree diagrams start with an event – also known as a parent or head – and then branch off into additional possible events, each having a percentage of probability.
- The branches are multiplied to determine the total probability of that series of events actually occurring; all probabilities totaled together should equal 1.0.
Types of Events
There are generally two types of events represented within tree diagrams. They are:
1. Conditional probabilities
Otherwise known as “dependent events,” conditional probabilities are the typically increased chances of an event taking place because another event has already happened. More specifically, conditional (dependent) events usually only occur if/when other event(s) occur.
2. Independent events
Independent events have no effect on the occurrence or probability of other events; also, their probability of occurrence is not dependent on or influenced by the occurrence of other events.
Starting a Tree Diagram
Each tree diagram starts with an initial event, otherwise known as the parent. From the parent event, outcomes are drawn. To keep it as simple as possible, let’s use the example of flipping a coin. The act of flipping the coin is the parent event.
From there, two possible outcomes can occur: drawing heads or drawing tails. The tree diagram would look like this:
The tree can be extended – almost infinitely – to account for any additional probabilities. For example:
The second string of possibilities represents a second coin toss; the first can be either heads or tails. However, if it is heads, there are two possible outcomes for the second toss, and if it is tails, there are two possible outcomes. Now, on to calculating the probabilities.
Calculating Probabilities with a Tree Diagram
Calculating probabilities typically involves addition or multiplication. However, knowing which to do and when is crucial. Let’s use the example above.
Each branch on the tree is the line drawn from one arrow to the next. With the event of flipping a coin, because there are only two possible outcomes, each outcome has a 50% (or 0.5) possibility of occurring. So, for the example above, the probability of flipping tail, then tail again, is 0.25 (0.5 x 0.5 = 0.25). The same is true for:
- Tail, then head
- Head, then tail
- Head, then head
In order to verify that the probabilities are correct, add the list of total probabilities. In this case, 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 = 1.0. When added together, all probabilities should equal to 1.0.
Additional Resources
CFI is the official provider of the global Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)™ certification program, designed to help anyone become a world-class financial analyst. To keep advancing your career, the additional CFI resources below will be useful:
