Tree Diagrams -
Are ALL Arrangements the Same?
 Topic Index | Algebra Index | Regents Exam Prep Center


Students often wonder if the order in which a tree diagram is built is important.  

 

Let's discover the answer to this query:

Group students in pairs.  Each student is going to draw a tree diagram for the same event, but they are not going to build their diagrams in the same order.  
 

Example: 

 Show the sample space for tossing one penny and rolling one die.  (H = heads, T = tails)

Students should quickly see (and remember) that the order will not change the number of outcomes in a tree diagram.