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Tamil Nadu (TNBSE)Class 6 Mathematics★ 3-6 marks in the TN Class 6 Term 2 exam through tree-diagram and outcome-listing questions

Information Processing (Term 2) - Tree Diagrams

Samacheer Kalvi (TN State Board) Class 6 Maths — Term 2 Chapter 5, Information Processing. Using a tree diagram to list all the outcomes of a situation and to represent numerical and algebraic expressions, with worked examples, exercises and quick revision.

⏱ 12 min readEasy difficulty✓ Free · NCERT-aligned

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By the end of this chapter you'll be able to…

1Draw a tree diagram for a situation
2List all outcomes using a tree
3Count outcomes from the end branches
4Represent an expression as a tree
5Avoid missing or repeating outcomes

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Why this chapter matters

Tree diagrams organise choices and outcomes and lead into counting and probability. Drawing trees and counting outcomes are tested in the TN Class 6 Term 2 exam.

Before you start — revise these

A 5-minute refresher here will save you 30 minutes of confusion below.

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Term 1 — Information Processing

Systematic listing.

Information Processing (Tree Diagrams) — Class 6 Maths (Samacheer Kalvi)

TN State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 6 Mathematics, Term 2 — Chapter 5. Branching out with tree diagrams.

1. About this chapter

This chapter covers the tree diagram — a branching picture used to list all the outcomes of a situation and to represent expressions.

2. What is a tree diagram?

A tree diagram starts from a point and branches out, showing each choice as a branch.
Following each path from start to end gives one outcome; the number of end branches is the total number of outcomes.

3. Listing outcomes with a tree

Example: tossing a coin twice. First toss branches to H and T; each branches again to H and T → outcomes HH, HT, TH, TT (4 outcomes).
A tree makes sure no outcome is missed or repeated.

4. Expressions as tree diagrams

A numerical or algebraic expression can be drawn as a tree, with operations at the branch points and numbers/variables at the ends.
Example: 3 × (4 + 5) is a tree with × at the top branching to 3 and to a "+" node, which branches to 4 and 5.

5. Worked examples

Example 1. Draw a tree for choosing a shirt (red/blue) and a cap (black/white). How many outcomes? Red-Black, Red-White, Blue-Black, Blue-White → 4 outcomes.

Example 2. How many outcomes when a coin is tossed twice? 4 (HH, HT, TH, TT).

Example 3. Which operation is at the top of the tree for 2 × (3 + 1)? Multiplication (×).

6. Exercises (Samacheer Kalvi)

Draw a tree diagram for tossing a coin three times. How many outcomes?
A menu has 2 starters and 3 main dishes. Draw a tree and count the meals.
Represent the expression (6 + 2) × 4 as a tree diagram.
Use a tree to list the two-digit numbers from the digits 1 and 2 (repetition allowed).
How many end branches does a tree with 2 choices then 2 choices have?

7. Common mistakes

Mistake: Forgetting to branch again at each stage. Fix: Every choice at each stage must branch from every earlier branch.
Mistake: Counting the start point as an outcome. Fix: Count only the end branches (paths).
Mistake: Putting numbers where operations belong in an expression tree. Fix: Operations go at the branch points; numbers/variables at the ends.

8. Quick revision

Term 2 · Ch 5 · tree diagrams.
A tree diagram branches out to show every choice; each full path = one outcome.
Number of outcomes = number of end branches (e.g. 2 then 2 → 4).
Expressions can be drawn as trees: operations at branch points, numbers/variables at the ends.

Key formulas & results

Everything you need to memorise, in one card. Screenshot this for revision.

Tree diagram

each choice = a branch; each path = an outcome

Branches out.

Counting outcomes

number of end branches

2 then 2 → 4.

Expression tree

operations at branch points, numbers/variables at ends

Drawing expressions.

Completeness

every choice branches from every earlier branch

No outcome missed.

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Common mistakes & fixes

These are the exact errors that cost students marks in board exams. Read them once, save yourself the trouble.

WATCH OUT

✗ Forgetting to branch again at each stage

✓ Every choice at each stage must branch from every earlier branch.

WATCH OUT

✗ Counting the start point as an outcome

✓ Count only the end branches (paths).

WATCH OUT

✗ Putting numbers where operations belong in an expression tree

✓ Operations go at the branch points; numbers/variables at the ends.

NCERT exercises (with solutions)

Every NCERT exercise from this chapter — what it covers and how many questions to expect.

Outcome trees

Draw trees and count outcomes.

Represent expressions as trees.

Questions

Practice problems

Try each one yourself before tapping "Show solution". Active recall > rereading.

Q1EASY· Outcomes

How many outcomes when a coin is tossed twice?

▶ Show solution

4 (HH, HT, TH, TT).

Q2EASY· Combinations

A shirt (red/blue) and a cap (black/white): how many outcomes?

▶ Show solution

4 (Red-Black, Red-White, Blue-Black, Blue-White).

Q3MEDIUM· Outcomes

How many outcomes when a coin is tossed three times?

▶ Show solution

8 (2 × 2 × 2).

Q4MEDIUM· Combinations

A menu has 2 starters and 3 mains. How many meals?

▶ Show solution

2 × 3 = 6 meals.

Q5EASY· Expression tree

Which operation is at the top of the tree for 2 × (3 + 1)?

▶ Show solution

Multiplication (×).

Q6EASY· Outcomes

How many end branches has a tree with 2 choices then 2 choices?

▶ Show solution

4.

5-minute revision

The whole chapter, distilled. Read this the night before the exam.

•Term 2 Chapter 5 of Samacheer Kalvi Class 6 Maths.
•A tree diagram branches out to show every choice; each full path is one outcome.
•The number of outcomes equals the number of end branches.
•Two choices then two choices give 2 × 2 = 4 outcomes.
•A tree ensures no outcome is missed or repeated.
•Expressions can be drawn as trees with operations at branch points and numbers/variables at the ends.

Tamil Nadu (TNBSE) marks blueprint

Where the marks come from in this chapter — so you can plan your prep.

Typical chapter weightage: 3-6 marks across tree diagrams

Question type	Marks each	Typical count	What it tests
Outcome tree	1-2	1-2	Drawing and counting outcomes
Combination tree	2	1	Menus and choices
Expression tree	1	1	Representing expressions

Prep strategy

Branch every choice from every earlier branch
Count only the end branches
Use multiplication to check totals
Put operations at branch points in expression trees

Where this shows up in the real world

This chapter isn't just an exam topic — it lives in the world around you.

Choices

Menus and outfit combinations are mapped with trees.

Probability

Tree diagrams list outcomes for probability.

Computing

Expression trees model how programs evaluate.

Exam strategy

Battle-tested tips from teachers and toppers for this chapter.

Draw branches stage by stage
Count only the end branches
Verify with multiplication of choices
Place operations at branch points

Going beyond the textbook

For olympiad aspirants and curious learners — topics that build on this chapter.

Use a tree to count the three-letter codes from A, B, C with repetition.
Draw the expression tree for (5 − 2) × (4 + 1).

Where else this chapter is tested

CBSE board isn't the only one — other exams test this chapter too.

TN Class 6 Term 2 ExamMedium

Logical Reasoning / OlympiadMedium

School unit testsHigh

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Questions students ask

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Each branch shows one choice, and each complete path from start to end is one outcome; counting the end branches gives the total number of outcomes without missing or repeating any.

The operations are placed at the branch points and the numbers or variables at the ends, so the tree shows the order in which the expression is built up.

Practice more, ask doubts, find a tutor

Tamil Nadu (TNBSE) Class 6 mock tests

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Mathematics flashcards

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