PROBABILITY

Straight Objective Type Questions

Example 1: If 15 boys of different ages are distributed 1

into 3 groups of 4, 5, and 6 boys randomly then the probability (a) 0 (b)
14
that three youngest boys are in different groups is
4859 91
24 71 (c) (d)
(a) (b) 4950 4950
91 91 Ans. (c)
67 20 Solution: Product of two natural numbers is divisible
(c) (d)
91 91 by 7 if and only if at least one of the number is divisible
Ans. (a) by 7.
Solution: Total number of ways of distributing 15 boys \ required probability
in three groups is = 1 – P(none of the numbers is divisible by 7)
14
15! C2 4859
= (15C4) (11C5) (6C6) = = 1-
100
=
4! 5! 6! C2 4950
The number of ways of distributing 12 remaining boys (ex- Example 4: Let A = {1, 2, 3, 4} and B = {a, b}. A
12! function f : A Æ B is selected randomly. Probability that
cluding three youngest) is (12C3) (9C4) (5C5) = function is an onto function is
3! 4! 5!
1 5
and the number of ways of distributing three youngest boys (a) (b)
is 3P3 = 3! 8 8
\ the required probability 7 3
(c) (d)
3! (12!) 4! 5! 6! 24 8 8
= ¥ = Ans. (c)
3! 4! 5! 15! 91
Solution: Total number of functions from A to B is
Example 2: A bag contains 6 white and 6 black socks. 24 = 16. There are exactly two functions which are not onto
A man randomly takes out two socks from the bag. The viz. one in which all the elements of A are mapped to a
probability that socks are the same colour is: and other in which all the elements of A are mapped to b.
2 5 Thus, there are 14 onto function. Therefore, probability of
(a) (b)
11 11 required event is
14 7
7 4 = .
(c) (d) 16 8
11 11
Ans. (b) Example 5: Sets A, B, C, A « B, A « C, B « C and
A « B « C have 35, 40, 45, 13, 12, 14 and 5 elements
Solution: Total number of ways of taking out two socks respectively. An element is selected at random from the set
is 12C2 = 66. A » B » C. The probability that the selected element belongs
The number of favourable ways to only set A is:
= Number of ways both the socks are white 13 35
or both are black (a) (b)
86 86
= C2 + 6C2 = 30.
6
5 15
\ probability of required event (c) (d)
86 86
30 5 Ans. (d)
= =
66 11 Solution: By the principle of inclusion and exclusion,
Example 3: Two numbers are randomly selected from n(A » B » C) = n(A) + n(B) + n(C) – n(B « C)
the first 100 natural numbers. The probability that the – n(A « C) – n(A « B) + n(A « B « C)
product of the numbers is divisible by 7 is = 35 + 40 + 45 – 13 – 12 – 14 + 5 = 86
 We have
25 10 20
A C P(G) = , P(R) = and P(F) =
80 80 80
As G, R and F are independent events,
B
P(G « R « F) = P(G) P(R) P(F)
25 10 20 5
Also, = ÊÁ ˆ˜ ÊÁ ˆ˜ ÊÁ ˆ˜ =
Ë 80 ¯ Ë 80 ¯ Ë 80 ¯ 512
n(A « B¢ « C¢) = n(A) – n[(A « B) » (A « C)]
Example 8: Suppose A and B are two mutually exclusive
= n(A) – [n(A « B) + n(A « C) – n(A « B « C)] 1 1
events such that P(A) = (3p + 1) and P(B) = (1 – p), then
= 35 – [13 + 12 – 5] = 15 3 4
\ Probability of required event the set of possible values of p lies in the interval:
15 È1 2 ˘
= (a) [0, 1] (b) Í , ˙
86 Î3 9 ˚

Example 6: If P(A) = 0.4, and P(A « B) = 0.15, then È 1 5˘ È 7 4˘

(c) Í- , ˙ (d) Í- , ˙
P (A|A¢ » B¢) is equal to Î 3 9˚ Î 9 9˚
Ans. (c)
1 2
(a) (b) 1 1
17 17 Solution: (3p + 1) ≥ 0, (1 – p) ≥ 0
3 4
5 9 1 1
(c) (d) and (3p + 1) + (1 – p) £ 1.
17 17 3 4
Ans. (c) 1 5 È 1 5˘
P ( A « ( A¢» B ¢ )) fi p ≥ – , p £ 1, p £ fi p Œ Í- , ˙
Solution: P (A|A¢ » B¢) = 3 9 Î 3 9˚
P ( A¢ » B ¢)
Example 9: A number x is chosen at random from the
P (( A « A¢ ) » ( A « B ¢ )) set {1, 2, 3,…, 100}. Define event : A = the chosen number
=
P ( A¢ » B ¢) x - 20
x satisfies ≥ 2 . Then P(A) is
x - 40
P (f » ( A« B ¢ ))
= [De Margon’s Law] 1 1
P (( A « B)¢ ) (a) (b)
4 5
P ( A « B¢) P( A) - P ( A « B) 1 1
= = (c) (d)
1 - P ( A « B) 1 - P ( A « B) 8 10
0.4 - 0.15 0.25 5 Ans. (b)
= = = x - 20 x - 20
1 - 0.15 0.85 17 Solution: ≥2¤ -2≥0
Example 7: A class consists of 80 students, 25 of them x - 40 x - 40
are girls. If 10 of the students are rich and 20 of the students 60 - x x - 60
¤ ≥0¤ £0
are fair complexioned, then the probability of selecting a fair x - 40 x - 40
complexioned rich girl from the class (assuming three traits ¤ 41 £ x £ 60
as independent) is \ A contains 20 elements.
20 1
(a) 1 (b) 1 Thus, P(A) = =
10 32 100 5
Example 10: A number x is chosen at random from
(c) 5 (d) 7
the set S = {1, 2, 3,…,100}.Then the probability that the
512 512
x - 15
Ans. (c) expression is a positive real number is
( x - 10)( x - 20)
Solution: Let G, R and F denote the following events
G: a girl student is selected (a) 11/25 (b) 7/25
R: a rich student is selected (c) 21/25 (d) 17/25
F: a fair complexioned student is selected. Ans. (c)
 x - 15
Solution: is a positive real number
( x - 10)( x - 20)
Thus, y > 0 ¤ 11 £ x £ 14 or x ≥ 21
x - 15 Therefore, there are 84 favourable cases.
¤ y= >0 84 21
( x - 10)( x - 20) Hence, probability of required event is = .
100 25
Following figure shows sign of y in different intervals:

Example 11: Suppose A and B are two events such that By the Bayes’ rule
0 < P(B) < 1. If P( E1 )P( A | E1 )
P( A) P(E1|A) =
P(A | B¢) = P( E1 )P( A | E1 ) + P( E2 )P( A | E2 )
1 - P ( B)
Ê 1 ˆ Ê 3ˆ
then which one of the following is not true? ÁË ˜¯ ÁË ˜¯ 1
= 13 4
(a) P (A « B) = 0 =
Ê 1 ˆ Ê 3 ˆ + Ê 12 ˆ Ê 1 ˆ 5
(b) P(A « B) = P(A » B) ÁË ˜¯ ÁË ˜¯ ÁË ˜¯ ÁË ˜¯
(c) P(A » B) = P(A) + P(B) 13 4 13 4
(d) P(A | B) = 0 Example 13: Suppose A has 7 fair coins and B has 6 fair
Ans. (b) coins. If A and B toss these coins simultaneously, then the
P( A) P( A « B ¢) probability that A and B get equal number of heads is
Solution: = P(A|B¢) = 13 13
1 - P ( B) P( B ¢) 13 Ê 1ˆ 13 Ê 1ˆ
(a) C6 Á ˜ (b) C5 Á ˜
fi P(A) = P(A « B¢) = P(A) – P(A « B) Ë 2¯ Ë 2¯
fi P(A « B) = 0, Ê 1ˆ
13
Ê 1ˆ
13
13
Also, P(A » B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A « B) (c) C12 Á ˜ (d) Á ˜
Ë 2¯ Ë 2¯
= P(A) + P(B) Ans. (a)
P ( A « B) Solution: Let X = number of heads obtained by A.
and P(A|B) = = 0.
P ( B) and Y = number of heads obtained by B.
Example 12: A man is known to speak truth 3 out of 4 Note that both X and Y follow binomial distribution and
times. He takes out a card at random from a well shuffled X~B (7, 1/2) and Y~B (6, 1/2)
pack of 52 playing cards, and reports it is a king. The 6
probability that its actually a king is Now, P(X = Y ) = Â P( x = k , y = k )
k =0
1 3
(a) (b) 6
Ê 1ˆ
7
Ê 1ˆ
6
4 4 = Â( 7
)
Ck Á ˜
Ë 2¯ ( 6
)
Ck Á ˜
Ë 2¯
4 1 k =0
(c) (d) 6
5 5 1
Ans. (d) =
213
 ( 7 Ck )( 6 C6- k )
k =0
Solution: E1 : card drawn is a king
6
E2 : card drawn is not a king
A : man reports it is a king.
But  ( 7 Ck )( 6 C6- k )
k =0
We have = Number of ways of choosing 6 persons out
4 1 12 of 7 men and 6 women
P(E1) = = , P ( E2 ) =
52 13 13 = 13C6.
3 1
P(A|E1) = and P( A | E2 ) = Thus, P(X = Y ) = 13 C ÊÁ 1 ˆ˜
4 4 6 Ë 13 ¯
2
 Example 14: A box X contains 1 white ball, 3 red balls Solution: Number of subsets of A is 2n = m (say). The
and 2 black balls. Another box Y contains 2 white balls, 3 red 1
number of ways of choosing P and Q is mC2 = m (m – 1)
balls and 4 black balls. If one ball is drawn from each of the two 2
= 2n–1 (2n– 1).
boxes, then the probability the balls are of different colours is
For P = Q¢, we just have to choose Q and put the remaining
19 35
(a) (b) elements of A in P. But the number of ways of choosing P
54 54 and Q is 2n. But every selection of P and Q appears twice.
17 37 1
(c) (d) Therefore, the number of choosing P and Q is (2 n ) = 2n–1.
54 54 2
Ans. (b) Thus, probability of the required event is
Solution: P(Balls are of different colours) 2 n -1 1
n -1 n
= n
.
= 1 – P(Balls are of the same colour) 2 (2 - 1) 2 -1
= 1 – [P(W1 W2) + P(R1 R2) + P(B1 B2)] Example 17: Four natural numbers are selected at
random and are multiplied. The probability that the product
ÈÊ 1 ˆ Ê 2 ˆ Ê 3 ˆ Ê 3 ˆ Ê 2 ˆ Ê 4 ˆ ˘
= 1 - ÍÁ ˜ Á ˜ + Á ˜ Á ˜ + Á ˜ Á ˜ ˙ is divisible by 5 or 10 is
ÎË 6 ¯ Ë 9 ¯ Ë 6 ¯ Ë 9 ¯ Ë 6 ¯ Ë 9 ¯ ˚
49 369
19 35 (a) (b)
= 1- = 625 625
54 54 64 256
Example 15: A sample consists of six points (c) (d)
625 625
S = {(i, j)| i = 1, 2 , j = 1, 2, 3}. Suppose Ans. (b)
k Solution: The product will be divisible by 5 or 10 if
P ((i, j)) = . Let A = {(i, j) | i + j = 4}
i+ j at least one of the number has last digit as 0 or 5. Thus,
and B = {(i, j) | j = 2}, then P(B|A) is equal to required probability
= 1 – P(none of the number has last digit
1 1
(a) (b) 0 or 5.)
2 3
8 4 4 4 369
1 1 = 1 - ÊÁ ˆ˜ = 1 - ÊÁ ˆ˜ =
(c) (d) Ë 10 ¯ Ë 5¯ 625
4 6
Example 18: Six boys and six girls sit in a row randomly.
Ans. (a) The probability that boys and girls sit alternatively is
Solution: 1 5
(a) (b)
231 462
TIP
1 7
(c) (d)
It is unnecessary to calculate k. 462 101
Ans. (c)
We have
P( B « A) P(2, 2) Solution: Total number of ways in which six boys and
P(B|A) = = six girls can sit in a row is 12P12 = 12!. The first position can
P( A) P {(1, 3), (2, 2)}
be occupied in two ways either by a boy or by a girl.
k BG BG BG BG BG BG
1 4 or
= = .
k k 2 GB GB GB GB GB GB
+
4 4 Six boys can take their seats in 6P6 = 6! ways and six girls
Example 16: Let A be a set containing n elements. The can take their seats 6P6 = 6! ways. Thus, the number of fa-
probability of randomly choosing two subsets P and Q of A vourable ways = 2(6!) (6!)
so that P = Q¢, the complement of Q, is. 2(6!) (6!) 1
\ probability of the required event = = .
1 1 12! 462
(a) (b) Example 19: An unbiased die is rolled twice. Let A
n n
2 2 -1
denote the event that an even number appears on the first
1 2 throw and B denote the event that an odd number appears on
(c) (d)
n-1 n
2 2 -1 the second throw. Then A and B
Ans. (b) (a) are mutually exclusive
 (b) are independent and mutually exclusive [∵ E1, E2, E3, E4 are independent]
(c) are independent = 1 – (0.6) (0.5) (0.8) (0.9)
(d) none of these = 1 – 0.3024 = 0.6976.
Ans. (c)
Example 22: A and B are two candidates seeking
Solution: The sample space is given by admission in IIT. The probability that A is selected is 0.5 and
S = {11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 31, 32, the probability that both A and B are selected is at most 0.3.
33, 34, 35, 36, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, The probability of B getting selected cannot exceed
55, 56, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66} (a) 0.6 (b) 0.7
We have (c) 0.8 (d) 0.9
A = {21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 61, 62, Ans. (c)
63, 64, 65, 66} Solution: We are given P(A) = 0.5 and P(A « B ) £ 0.3
B = {11, 13, 15, 21, 23, 25, 31, 33, 35, 41, 43, 45, 51, 53, We have P(A) + P(B) – P(A « B) = P (A » B ) £ 1
55, 61, 63, 65}
fi P (A) + P (B) £ 1 + P (A « B) £ 1 + 0.3 = 1.3
Note that A«B = {21, 23, 25, 41, 43, 45, 61, 63, 65}
As A « B π f, A and B cannot be mutually exclusive. fi 0.5 + P (B) £ 1.3
18 1 18 1 fi P (B) £ 0.8
Next, P(A) = = , P(B) = = , Thus, probability of B getting selected cannot exceed 0.8
36 2 36 2
9 1 Example 23: If letters of the word “ASSASSIN” are
P(A« B) = = = P(A) P(B) written down at random in a row, the probability that no two
36 4
\ A and B are independent. S’s occur together is
1 1
Example 20: Two events A and B have probabilities (a) (b)
0.25 and 0.50 respectively. The probability that both A and 7 14
B occur simultaneously is 0.14. The probability that neither 1 1
A nor B occurs is (c) (d)
28 35
(a) 0.39 (b) 0.25
Ans. (b)
(c) 0.11 (d) none of these
Ans. (a) Solution: The number of ways of permuting the letters
of the word “ASSASSIN” is
Solution: We are given P(A) = 0.25, P(B) = 0.50,
P(A« B) = 0.14 8! 8¥7¥6¥5
= = 840
Now, P (neither A nor B) 2! 4! 2
= P (A¢« B¢ ) = 1 – P (A» B) Let us now find the number of ways in which two S are not
together.
= 1 – [P(A) + P(B) – P(A « B)]
4!
= 1 – [0.25 + 0.50 – 0.14] We first arrange A, A, I, N. This can be done = 12 ways.
2!
= 1 – 0.61 = 0.39. If in the following figure X’s shows one such arrangement,
Example 21: An anti-aircraft gun can take a maximum then 4 S’s can be arranged at four boxes out of the five
of four shots at an enemy plane moving away from it. The boxes.
probabilities of hitting the plane in the first, second, third ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥
and fourth shot are 0.4, 0.3, 0.2 and 0.1 respectively. The Thus, corresponding to each arrangement of A, A, I, N, there
probability that gun hits the plane is are 5C4 = 5 ways of arranging S’s.
(a) 0.6976 (b) 0.866 \ the number of favourable ways = (12) (5) = 60
(c) 0.922 (d) 0.934
60 1
Ans. (a) Thus, probability of the required event is = .
840 14
Solution: Let Ei denote the event that ith shot hits the
plane. Then Example 24: Fifteen coupons are numbered 1, 2, …, 15
P(E1) = 0.4, P(E2) = 0.3, P(E3) = 0.2, P(E4) = 0.1 respectively. Three coupons are selected at random without
We have replacement. The probability that maximum number on the
P(E1» E2 » E3 » E4)= 1 – P(E¢1« E¢2 « E¢3 « E¢4) selected coupon is 9 is
1 3
= 1 – P(E¢1 ) P(E¢2) P(E¢3) P(E¢4) (a) (b)
65 65
 1 4 P(A wins the game) = P(W or BBW or BBBBW or  )
(c) (d)
13 65 = P(W) + P(BBW) + P(BBBBW) + 
Ans. (d) = P(W) + P(B) P(B) P(W)
+ P(B) P(B) P(B) P(B) P(W) + 
Solution: Total number of ways of selecting 3 coupons
= P(W) + P(W) ◊ P(B)2 + P(W) ◊ P(B)4 + 
out of 15 is 15C3.
Maximum number on the selected ticket will be 9 if coupon P(W ) a ( a + b) a+b
= 2
= 2
=
bearing number 9 is selected and two coupons from 1 to 8 1 - P ( B) a + 2ab a + 2b
are selected. This can be done in (8C2) (1C1) ways.
Thus, probability of the required event is a+b b
Also P(B wins the game) = 1 – =
8
C2 8¥7 3¥2 4 a + 2b a + 2b
15
= ¥ = . According to the given condition,
C3 2 15 ¥ 14 ¥ 13 65
a+b b
Example 25: A student appears for tests I, II, and III. fi = 3◊ fi a = 2b fi a : b = 2 : 1.
a + 2b a + 2b
The student is successful if he passes either in tests I and II
or tests I and III. The probabilities of the student passing in Example 27: A determinant is chosen at random from
tests I, II, III are p, q and 1/2, respectively. If the probability the set of all determinants of order 2 with elements 0 or 1
that the student is successful is 1/2, then possible values of only. The probability that the determinant chosen is non-zero
p and q are is
(a) p = q = 1 (b) p = q = 1/2 3 3
(a) (b)
(c) p = 1, q = 0 (d) p = 1, q = 1/2 16 8
Ans. (c) 1 5
(c) (d)
Solution: Let A, B and C be the events that the student 4 16
is successful in tests I, II and III, respectively. Then Ans. (b)
P(the student is successful) Solution: A determinant of order 2 is of the form
= P [(A « B « C¢) » (A « B¢ « C) » (A « B « C)]
a b
= P(A « B « C¢) + P(A « B¢ « C) + P(A « B « C) D=
c d
= P(A) P(B) P(C¢) + P(A) P(B¢) P(C)
+ P(A) P(B) P(C) It is equal to ad – bc. The total number of ways of choosing
[∵ A, B and C are independent] a, b, c and d is 2 ¥ 2 ¥ 2 ¥ 2 = 16. Now D π 0 if and only if
either ad = 1, bc = 0 or ad = 0, bc = 1. But ad = 1, bc = 0 if
= pq (1 - 1 2 ) + p (1 - q) (1 2 ) + ( pq) (1 2 )
and only if a = d = 1 and at least one of b, c is zero. Thus,
1 1 ad = 1, bc = 0 in three cases. Similarly, ad = 0, bc = 1 in
= [pq + p(1 – q) + pq] = p(1 + q)
2 2 three cases. Thus, the probability of the required event is
1 1 6/16 = 3/8.
\ = p (1 + q) fi p (1 + q) = 1
2 2 Example 28: A fair coin is tossed 100 times. The
This equation is satisfied for the pair of values given in (c). probability of getting tails an odd number of times is
(a) 1/2 (b) 1/8
Example 26: A bag contains a white and b black balls.
Two players, A and B alternately draw a ball from the bag, (c) 3/8 (d) none of these
replacing the ball each time after the draw till one of them Ans. (a)
draws a white ball and wins the game. A begins the game. If Solution: Let p = probability of getting a tail in a single
the probability of A winning the game is three times that of trial = 1/2.
B, the ratio a : b is
n = number of trials = 100
(a) 1 : 1 (b) 1 : 2
and X = number of tails in 100 trials.
(c) 2 : 1 (d) none of these
Note that q = 1/2
Ans. (c)
We have
Solution: Let W denote the event of drawing a white P(X = r) = 100Cr pr q n – r
ball at any draw and B that for a black ball. Then r 100 - r 100
Ê 1ˆ Ê 1ˆ Ê 1ˆ
= 100 Cr Á ˜ Á ˜ = 100 Cr Á ˜
a b Ë 2¯ Ë 2¯ Ë 2¯
P(W ) = and P(B) =
a+b a+b
Now, = P(A) + P(B) – P(A) P(B)
P(X = odd) = P(X = 1) + P(X = 3) + … + P(X = 99) [∵ A and B are independent]
100 100 = 0.3 + P(B) – (0.3) P(B)
Ê 1ˆ Ê 1ˆ
= 100C1 Á ˜ + 100C3 Á ˜ +… fi 0.5 = (0.7) P(B) fi P(B) = 5/7.
Ë 2¯ Ë 2¯

Ê 1ˆ
100 Example 32: A pair of unbiased dice is rolled together
+ 100C99 Á ˜ till a sum of either 5 or 7 is obtained. The probability that 5
Ë 2¯
100
comes before 7 is
Ê 1ˆ 2 3
= (100C1 + 100C3 + … + 100C99) Á ˜ (a) (b)
Ë 2¯ 5 5
100
But C1 + 100C3 + … + 100C99 = 299 4 1
(c) (d)
299 1 5 5
Thus, P(X = odd) = 100
= . Ans. (a)
2 2
Solution: Let A denote the event that a sum of 5 occurs,
Example 29: The probability that at least one of A B the event that a sum of 7 occurs and C the event that nei-
and B occurs is 0.6. If A and B occur simultaneously with ther a sum of 5 nor a sum of 7 occurs. We have
probability 0.3, then P(A¢) + P(B¢) is
4 1 6 1 26 13
(a) 0.9 (b) 1.15 P(A) = = , P(B) = = and P(C) = = . Thus,
(c) 1.1 (d) 1.2 36 9 36 6 36 18
Ans. (c) P(A occurs before B) = P [A or (C « A) or
Solution: We have P(A » B) = 0.6 (C « C « A) or ]
and P(A « B) = 0.3. We know that = P(A) + P(C « A) + P(C « C « A) + 
P(A) + P(B) = P(A) + P(C) P(A) + P(C)2 P(A) + 
= P(A » B) + P(A « B) = 0.6 + 0.3 = 0.9 1 Ê 13 ˆ 1 Ê 13 ˆ 2 1
= +Á ˜ +Á ˜ +º
\ P(A¢) + P(B¢) = 1 – P(A) + 1 – P(B) = 2 – 0.9 = 1.1. 9 Ë 18 ¯ 9 Ë 18 ¯ 9
Example 30: An unbiased die with faces marked 1, 2, 3, 1/ 9 2
= = [sum of an infinite G.P.]
4, 5 and 6 is rolled four times. Out of the four faces obtained, 1 - 13 /18 5
the probability that the minimum value is not less than 2 and
Example 33: E and F be two independent events such
the maximum value is not greater than 5 is
that P(E) < P(F). The probability that both E and F happen
16 1 is 1/12 and the probability that neither E nor F happen is
(a) (b)
81 81 1/2. Then
80 65 (a) P(E) = 1/3, P(F) = 1/2
(c) (d)
81 81 (b) P(E) = 1/2, P(F) = 2/3
Ans. (a) (c) P(E) = 2/3, P(F) = 3/4
Solution: The probability of getting a number not less (d) P(E) = 1/4, P(F) = 1/3
than 2 and not greater than 5 in a single throw is 4/6 = 2/3. Ans. (d)
As die is rolled four times, the probability of required event Solution: We are given P(E « F) = 1/12
= (2/3)4 = 16/81.
and P(E¢ « F¢ ) = 1/2
Example 31: Let A and B be two events such that P(A) As E and F are independent, we get P(E) P(F) = 1/12
= 0.3 and P(A » B) = 0.8. If A and B are independent events,
then P(B) is and P(E¢ ) P(F¢ ) = 1/2
3 4 fi (1 – P(E)) (1– P(F)) = 1/2
(a) (b)
7 7 fi 1 – (P(E) + P(F)) + P(E) P (F) = 1/2
5 6 fi P(E) + P(F) = 1 + 1/12 – 1/2 = 7/12
(c) (d)
7 7 \ Equation whose roots are P(E) and P(F) is
Ans. (c) x2 – (P(E) + P(F)) x + P(E) P(F) = 0
Solution: We have, 0.8 = P(A » B) 7 1
= P(A) + P(B) – P(A « B) or x2 – x+ fi 12x2 – 7x + 1 = 0
12 12
fi (3x – 1) (4x – 1) = 0 fi x = 1/3, 1/4 Ans. (b)
As P(E) < P(F), we take P(E) = 1/4 and P(F) = 1/3. Solution: (Y = 0) is {00, 01, , 09, 10, 20, , 90}.
Also, (X = 9) « (Y = 0) = {09, 90}. We have P(Y = 0) =
Example 34: A man is known to speak the truth 3 out
19/100 and P[(X = 9) « (Y = 0)] = 2/100.
of 4 times. He throws a die and reports that it is a six. The
probability that it is actually a six is P[( X = 9) « (Y = 0)] 2
P(X = 9 | Y = 0) = = .
(a) 3/8 (b) 1/5 P(Y = 0) 19
(c) 3/4 (d) none of these
Example 38: If three six-faced fair dice are thrown
Ans. (a)
together, the probability that the sum of the numbers
Solution: Let E denote the event that a six occurs and A appearing on the dice is 16 is
the event that the man reports that it is a six. We have P(E)
1 1
= 1/6 , P(E¢) = 5/6, P(A | E) = 3/4 and P( A | E¢) = 1/4. By (a) (b)
Bayes’ theorem 36 11
P(E ) P( A | E ) 1 5
P(E | A) = (c) (d)
P( E ) P( A | E ) + P( E ¢) P( A | E ¢) 12 36
Ans. (a)
(1 6) (3 4) 3
= = Solution: The total number of cases is 6 × 6 × 6 = 6 3.
(1 6) (3 4) + (5 6) (1 4) 8 If the first die shows 6, sum of the faces on the remaining
Example 35: The event A is independent of itself if and two dice must be 10 which can happen in 3 ways viz. out-
only if P(A) is come should be (6, 4), (5, 5) or (4, 6).
(a) 0 or 1 (b) 1/2 If the first die shows 5, then other two must show (5, 6) or
(c) 0 (d) 0, 1/2 or 1 (6, 5).If the first die shows 4, then other two must show (6,
Ans. (a) 6).
Solution: A is independent of itself if and only if \ number of favourable ways = 3 + 2 + 1 = 6.
P(A « A) = P(A) P(A) ¤ P(A) = P(A)2 6 1
Thus, probability of the required event = 3 = .
¤ P(A) = 0 or P(A) = 1. 6 36

Example 36: If three distinct numbers are chosen Example 39: Four person are selected at random from
randomly from the first 100 natural numbers, then the a group of 3 men, 2 women and 4 children. The probability
probability that all the three numbers are divisible by both that exactly two of them are children is
2 and 3 is 9 10
(a) (b)
4 7 21 23
(a) (b)
57 99 1 10
(c) (d)
4 1 2 21
(c) (d)
1155 1100 Ans. (d)
Ans. (c) Solution: Total number of ways of selecting 4 persons
Solution: A number is divisible by both 2 and 3 if and out of 9 is 9C4.
only if it is divisible by 6. In the first 100 natural numbers, The number of selecting exactly two children is
there are 16 numbers which are divisible by 6. (4C2) (5C2).
Thus, probability of the required event is \ probability of the required event
16
C3 100 C3 =
4
=
( 4
C2 ) ( 5C2 ) 10
=
1155 9
C4 21
Example 37: One ticket is selected at random from 100
tickets numbered 00, 01, 02, º, 98, 99. If X and Y denote Example 40: A die is thrown. Let A be the event that the
respectively the sum and the product of the digits on the number obtained is greater than 3. Let B be the event that the
tickets, then P(X = 9 | Y = 0) = number obtained is less than 5. Then P(A » B) is
2 2 2
(a) (b) (a) (b) 0
17 19 5
2 2 3
(c) (d) (c) 1 (d)
21 11 5
Ans. (c) Ans. (d)
Solution: A = {4, 5, 6} and B = {1, 2, 3, 4} Solution: Let p denote the probability of showing an
then A » B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} odd number, then the probability that die will show an even
\ P(A » B) = 1. number is 2p.
We have p + 2p = 1 fi 3p = 1 fi p = 1/3
Example 41: If A and B are two events. The probability
Thus, probability of getting an even sum when dice is
that exactly one of them occurs is equal to
thrown twice is
(a) P(A) + P(B) – 2P(A « B)
(b) P(A) + P(B) + P(A « B) P (odd, odd) + P (even, even) = P (odd)2 + P (even)2
(c) P(A) + P(B) = p2 + (2p)2 = 5p2 = 5/9
(d) P(A) + P(B) – P(A « B) Example 45: While shuffling a pack of playing cards,
Ans. (a) four are accidently dropped. The probability that the cards
Solution: See Theory. that are dropped are one from each suit is
Example 42: If A and B are two events such that P(A) > 1 2197
(a) (b)
0 and P(B) < 1, then P(A| B ) is equal to 20825 20825
(a) 1 – P( A |B) (b) 1 – P(A|B) 1 301
(c) (d)
256 20825
P ( A)
(c) (d) 1– P ( A | B ) Ans. (b)
P ( B)
Solution: Total number of ways of choosing four cards
Ans. (d) out of 52 is 52C4. The number of ways of choosing one card
P ( A « B) P (B) – P ( A « B)
Solution: P(A| B ) = = from each suit is
P (B) P (B) (13C1) (13C1) (13C1) (13C1) = 134.
= 1 – P ( A | B) Thus, probability of the required event is
Example 43: For a biased die, the probabilities for the 134 13 ¥ 13 ¥ 13 ¥ 13 ¥ 4 ¥ 3 ¥ 2 ¥ 1 2197
different faces to turn up are given by the table 52
= = .
C4 52 ¥ 51 ¥ 50 ¥ 49 20825
Face 1 2 3 4 5 6 Example 46: The probability that a man who is 85
Probability 0.1 0.32 0.21 0.15 0.05 0.17 years old will die before attaining the age of 90 is 1/3. Four
persons A1, A2, A3 and A4 are 85 years old. The probability
The die is thrown and you are told that either the face 1 or that A1 will die before attaining the age of 90 and will be the
the face 2 has turned up, then the probability that it is face first to die is
1, is 65 13
16 1 (a) (b)
(a) (b) 81 81
21 10 65 13
5 5 (c) (d)
(c) (d) 324 108
16 21 Ans. (c)
Ans. (d) Solution: Required probability
Solution: P (face 1 | face 1 or face 2) = (probability at least one of A1, A2, A3 and A4 dies) ×
P (face 1) (probability that A1 is first to die)
=
P (face 1) + P(face 2) Now, probability that at least one of A1, A2, A3 and A4 dies
4
0.1 0.1 5 Ê 2ˆ 16 65
= = = . = 1 – P(none of them dies)= 1 - Á ˜ = 1 - =
0.1 + 0.32 0.42 21 Ë 3¯ 81 81
Example 44: A six faced die is so biased that it is twice 65 1 65
\ Required probability = ¥ = .
likely to show an even number as an odd number when 81 4 324
thrown. If the die is thrown twice the probability that sum of Example 47: Three persons A, B and C are to speak at
the numbers is even is a function along with 5 others. If the persons speaks in a
1 2 random order, the probability that A speaks before B and B
(a) (b)
3 3 speaks before C is
4 5 3 1
(c) (d) (a) (b)
9 9 8 12
 1 1 \ probability of the required event
(c) (d)
8 6 235 235 ¥ 2 47
= 30 = = .
Ans. (d) C2 30 ¥ 29 87
Solution: The number of ways in which 8 persons can Example 50: If m is a natural such that m £ 5, then the
speak is 8P8 = 8!. 1 m
probability that the quadratic equation x2 + mx + + =0
We can choose 3 places for A, B, C (out of 8) in 8C3 ways has real roots is 2 2
and arrange A, B, C in that order in just one way. We can ar- 1 2
range the remaining 5 persons in 5! ways. Thus, the number (a) (b)
5 3
of favourable ways is (8C3) (5!).
3 1
\ probability of the required event =
( 8
C3 ) (5!) 1 1
= = .
(c)
5
(d)
5
8! 3! 6 Ans. (c)
Example 48: The probability that a man will live for Solution: Discriminant D of the given quadratic equa-
10 more years is 1/4 and the probability that his wife will tion is
live for 10 more years is 1/3. The probability that neither the Ê 1 mˆ
D = m2 – 4 Á + ˜ = m2 – 2m – 2 = (m – 1)2 – 3
husband nor the wife will be alive after 10 years is Ë2 2¯
5 1 Now, D ≥ 0 ¤ (m – 1)2 ≥ 3
(a) (b)
12 2 This is possible for m = 3, 4 and 5. Also, the total number of
7 11 ways of choosing m is 5.
(c) (d) \ probability of the required event = 3/5.
12 12
Ans. (b) Example 51: If two events A and B such that P(A¢)
= 0.3, P(B) = 0.5 and P(A « B) = 0.3, then P(B|A » B¢) is
Solution: We have P(H) = 1/4 and P(W) = 1/3.
(a) 0.6 (b) 0.32
Now, P(neither husband nor wife will be alive)
(c) 0.31 (d) 0.28
= P(H¢ « W¢ ) = P(H¢ ) P(W¢ )
Ans. (a)
= (1 – P(H)) (1 – P(W))
= (1 – 1/4) (1 – 1/3) = 1/2. Solution: We have
P(A» B¢) = P(A) + P(B¢) – P(A « B¢)
Example 49: Two numbers x and y are chosen at random
= [1 – P(A¢ )] + [1 – P(B)] – [P(A) – P(A « B)]
without replacement from the first 30 natural numbers. The
probability that x2 – y2 is divisible by 3 is = (1 – 0.3) + (1 – 0.5) – (1 – 0.3) = 0.5.
Now, P (B|A » B¢)
3 3
(a) (b) P [ B « ( A » B¢ )] P[( B « A) » ( B « B¢ )]
29 55 = =
5 47 P ( A » B¢ ) P ( A » B¢ )
(c) (d)
29 87 P ( A « B) 0.3
= = = 0.6
Ans. (d) P ( A » B¢ ) 0.5
Solution: Total number of ways of choosing three num- Example 52: Seven white balls and three black balls are
bers out of 30 is 30C3 . randomly placed in a row. The probability that no two black
We rewrite the first 30 natural numbers in three rows as balls are placed adjacently equals
follows: 1 7
(a) (b)
Row I: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 2 15
Row II: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29 2 1
(c) (d)
Row III: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30 15 3
For x2 – y2 to be divisible by 3, either both x and y must be Ans. (b)
chosen from the same row or exactly one of x, y from Row Solution: The number of ways of placing 3 black balls
I and the other from Row II. at 10 places is 10C3. The number of ways in which two black
Thus, the number of favourable ways balls are not together is equal to the number of ways of
= 3(10C2) + 10 × 10 = 235 choosing 3 places marked with X out of the eight places
XWXWXWXWXWXWXWX
This can be done in 8C3 ways. Thus, probability of the re- Alternate Solution
quired event is
We have P(E | F ) + P ( E | F )
8
C3 8¥7¥6 7 P( E « F ) P ( E « F )
10 = = . = +
C3 10 ¥ 9 ¥ 8 15 P (F ) P (F )
Example 53: If from each of the three boxes containing P (E « F ) + P (E « F ) P (F )
= = =1
3 white and 1 black, 2 white and 2 black, 1 white and 3 black P (F ) P (F )
balls, one ball is drawn at random, then the probability that
two white and one black ball will be drawn is Example 56: The probability that an event A occurs
in a single trial of an experiment is 0.4. Three independent
13 1
(a) (b) trials of the experiment are performed. The probability that
32 4 A occurs at least once is
1 3 (a) 0.936 (b) 0.784
(c) (d) (c) 0.904 (d) 0.788
32 16
Ans. (a) Ans. (b)
Solution: Let
Solution: P (2 white and 1 black)
p= probability that event A occurs in a single trial
= P(W1 W2 B3 or W1 B2 W3 or B1 W2 W3) = 0.4
= P(W1) P(W2) P(B3) + P(W1) P(B2) P(W3) n = number of independent trials = 3
+ P(B1) P(W2)P(W3) and X= number of times A occurs. Note that X ~ B (n, p)
P (A occurs at least once) = P (X ≥ 1)
Ê 3ˆ Ê 2ˆ Ê 3ˆ Ê 3ˆ Ê 2ˆ Ê 1ˆ Ê 1ˆ Ê 2ˆ Ê 1ˆ = 1 – P(X = 0) = 1 – q3
= Á ˜Á ˜
Ë 4¯ Ë 4¯ ÁË ˜¯ + ÁË ˜¯ ÁË ˜¯ ÁË ˜¯ + ÁË ˜¯ ÁË ˜¯ ÁË ˜¯
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 = 1 – (0.6)3 = 1 – 0.216 = 0.784.
13 Example 57: Fifteen coupons are numbered 1, 2, … ,
= 15 respectively. Seven coupons are selected at random one
32
at a time with replacement. The probability that the largest
Example 54: There are four machines and it is known number on a selected coupon as 9 is
that exactly two of them are faulty. They are tested, one 6 7
by one, in a random order till both the faulty machines Ê 9ˆ Ê 8ˆ
(a) Á ˜ (b) Á ˜
are identified. Then the probability that only two tests are Ë 15 ¯ Ë 15 ¯
needed is 7
Ê 3ˆ
1 1 (c) Á ˜ (d) none of these
(a) (b) Ë 5¯
3 6 Ans. (d)
1 1 Solution: Let p = the probability that a selected coupon
(c) (d) bears number £ 9.
2 4
Ans. (a) 9 3
fi p = =
Solution: Either both the machines tested should be 15 5
faulty or both should be good. n = number of coupons drawn with replacement
and X = the number of coupons bearing number £ 9.
2 ¥1 2 ¥1 1 Note that X ~ B (n, p).
\ required probability = ¥ = .
4¥3 4¥3 3 Probability that the largest number on the selected coupons
Example 55: If E and F are two events such that 0 < does not exceed 9
P(F) < 1, then = probability that all the coupons bear number £ 9
7
(a) P(E| F ) + P ( E | F ) = 1 Ê 3ˆ
= P(X = 7) = 7C7 p7 = Á ˜ .
Ë 5¯
(b) P(E|F) + P(E| F ) = 1
Similarly, probability that largest number on the selected
(c) P( E |F) + P(E| F ) = 1
8 7
(d) none of these coupon is £ 8 is Ê ˆ . Hence, probability of the required
Ë 15 ¯
Ans. (a)
3 7 8 7
Solution: As P(| F ) is a probability function, (a) is event = Ê ˆ – Ê ˆ .
Ë 5¯ Ë 15 ¯
clearly true.
 Example 58: Each of two persons A and B toss three Solution: Let X be the number of coins showing heads.
fair coins. The probability that both get the same number of Then X ~ B (100, p). We have
heads is
P (X = 51) = P (X = 50)
(a) 3/8 (b) 1/9
100
(c) 5/16 (d) none of these fi C51 p51 q49 = 100C50 p50 q50 (where q = 1 – p)
Ans. (c) p 100! 51! 49! p 51
fi = fi =
Solution: Let X be the number of heads obtained by A q 50! 50! 100! 1 - p 50
and Y be the number of heads obtained by B. Note that both fi 50p = 51 – 51p fi 101p = 51
X and Y are binomial variate with parameters n = 3 and p fi p = 51/101.
= 1/2.
Probability that both A and B obtain the same number of Example 61: The least number of times a fair coin must
heads is be tossed so that the probability of getting at least one head
\ P(X = 0) P(Y = 0) + P(X = 1) P(Y = 1) + P(X = 2) is at least 0.95
(a) 5 (b) 6
P(Y = 2) + P(X = 3) P(Y = 3)
(c) 7 (d) 12
2 2
È 3
Ê 1ˆ ˘ È
3
Ê 1ˆ ˘ Ans. (a)
= Í 3 C0 Á ˜ ˙ + Í 3 C1 Á ˜ ˙
Î Ë 2¯ ˚ Î Ë 2¯ ˚ Solution: Let n be the required number of tosses,
and X be the number of heads obtained in n tosses. Then
3 2 3 2
È Ê 1ˆ ˘ È Ê 1ˆ ˘ X ~ B(n, 1/2)
+ Í 3 C2 Á ˜ ˙ + Í 3 C3 Á ˜ ˙ P (at least one head) = P(X ≥ 1) = 1 – P(X = 0)
Î Ë 2¯ ˚ Î Ë 2¯ ˚
n
Ê 1ˆ
Ê 1ˆ
6
20 5 = 1 – qn = 1 – Á ˜
= Á ˜ [1 + 9 + 9 + 1] = = . Ë 2¯
Ë 2¯ 64 16
n
Example 59: The probability that a student is not a Ê 1ˆ
Now, P (X ≥ 1) ≥ 0.95 fi 1 – Á ˜ ≥ 0.95
Ë 2¯
swimmer is 1/5. The probability that out of 5 students exactly
4 are swimmer is n
Ê 1ˆ
3 4 ÁË ˜¯ £ 0.05 fi 2 n ≥ 20 fi n≥5
Ê 4ˆ Ê 4ˆ 2
(a) Á ˜ (b) Á ˜
Ë 5¯ Ë 5¯ \ least value of n is 5.
4 3 Example 62: A box contain N coins, m of which are fair
Ê 4ˆ Ê 3ˆ
(c) 5C4 Á ˜ (d) Á ˜ and rest are biased. The probability of getting a head when a
Ë 5¯ Ë 4¯
Ans. (b) fair coin is tossed is 1/2, while it is 2/3 when a biased coin is
tossed. A coin is drawn from the box at random and is tossed
Solution: Let p = probability that a student selected at
twice. The first time it shows head and the second time it
random is a swimmer
shows tail. The probability that the coin drawn is fair is
= 1 – 1/5 = 4/5.
n = number of students selected = 5 8m m
(a) (b)
and X = number of swimmers 8N + m 8N + m
Then X ~ B (n, p) where n = 5 and p = 4/5 9m 9N
Probability that exactly 4 students are swimmer is (c) (d)
8N + m 8N + m
4 4
Ê 4ˆ Ê 1ˆ Ê 4ˆ Ans. (c)
= 5C 4 p 4q = 5 Á ˜ Á ˜ = Á ˜ . Solution: Let E1, E2 and A denote the following events:
Ë 5 ¯ Ë 5¯ Ë 5 ¯
Example 60: One hundred identical coins, each with E1 : coin selected is fair
probability p of showing up heads, are tossed once. If 0 < p E2 : coin selected is biased
< 1 and the probability of heads showing on 50 coins is equal A : the first toss results in a head and the
to that of heads showing on 51 coins, then the value of p is second toss results in a tail.
1 49 m N -m
(a) (b) P(E1) = , P(E2) = ,
2 101 N N
50 51 1 1 1 2 1 2
(c) (d) P(A|E1) = ¥ = , P(A| E2) = ¥ =
101 101 2 2 4 3 3 9
Ans. (d)
By Bayes’ rule Example 66: A four digit number (numbered from 0000
P( E1 ) P( A | E1 ) to 9999) is said to be lucky if the sum of its first two digits is
P (E1| A) = equal to the sum of its last two digits. If a four digit number
P( E1 ) P ( A | E1 ) + P( E2 ) P( A | E2 )
is picked up at random, then the probability that it is lucky is
9m (a) 0.065 (b) 0.064
= .
8N + m (c) 0.066 (d) 0.067
Example 63: The probability of India winning a test Ans. (d)
match against West Indies is 1/2. Assuming independence Solution: The total number of ways of choosing the
from match to match, the probability that in a 5 match series ticket is 10000.
India’s second win occurs at the third test is
Let the four digits number on the ticket be x1 x2 x3 x4. Note
(a) 1/8 (b) 1/4
that 0 £ x1 + x2 £ 18 and 0 £ x3 + x4 £ 18.
(c) 1/2 (d) 2/3
Ans. (b) Also, the number of non-negative integral solutions of x + y
= m (with 0 £ x, y £ 9) is m + 1 if 0 £ m £ 9 and is 19 – m
Solution: Required probability if 10 £ m £ 18.
= P(winning exactly one match in the first Thus, the number of favourable ways
two matches) ¥ P(winning third march)
= 1 ¥ 1 + 2 ¥ 2 + … + 10 ¥ 10 + 9 ¥ 9 + 8 ¥ 8 + …
È Ê 1ˆ Ê 1ˆ ˘ È1 ˘ 1 +1¥1
= Í 2 C1 Á ˜ Á ˜ ˙ Í ˙ =
Ë 2¯ Ë 2¯ ˚ Î2 ˚ 4
Î
Example 64: Let 0 < P(A) < 1, 0 < P(B) < 1 and P(A » B)
= 2 {
9 ¥ 10 ¥ 19
6 }
+ 100 = 670

= P(A) + P(B) – P(A) P(B), then 670

(a) P(A |B) = 0 \ probability of required event = = 0.067 .
1000
(b) P(B |A) = 0
Example 67: Three numbers are chosen at random
(c) P(A¢ « B¢ ) = P(A¢ ) P(B ¢) without replacement from {1, 2, 3, …, 10}. The probability
(d) P(A|B) + P(B|A) = 1 that minimum of the chosen number is 3 or their maximum
Ans. (c) is 7, is
Solution: We know that 11 11
(a) (b)
P(A » B) = P (A) + P(B) – P(A « B) 30 40
fi P(A) + P(B) – P(A) P(B) = P(A) + P(B) – P (A « B) 1 1
fi P(A) P(B) = P(A « B) (c) (d)
7 8
fi A and B are independent. Ans. (b)
Thus, P(A¢ « B¢) = P(A¢) P(B ¢). Solution: Let A and B denote the following events:
Example 65: If A1, A2, …, An are n independent events A: minimum of the chosen number is 3
B: maximum of the chosen number is 7
1
such that P(Ai) = , i = 1, 2, …, n. The probability that We have
i +1
P(A) = P (choosing 3 and two other numbers
none of A1, A2, … An occurs is
from 4 to 10)
n 1 7
(a) (b) C2 7¥6 3¥2 7
n +1 n +1 = 10
= ¥ =
C3 2 10 ¥ 9 ¥ 8 40
1 1
(c) (d) P(B) = P (choosing 7 and two other numbers
n! n+2
from 1 to 6)
Ans. (b)
6
C2 6¥5 3¥2 1
Solution: P(A¢ « A¢ 2 … « A¢n) = P(A¢1) P (A¢2 ) … P(A¢n) = 10
= ¥ =
[∵ A1, A2, …, An are independent] C3 2 10 ¥ 9 ¥ 8 8

Ê 1 ˆ Ê 1ˆ Ê 1 ˆ P(A « B) = P (choosing 3 and 7 and one other num-

= Á1 - ˜ Á1 - ˜ º Á1 - ˜ ber from 4 to 6).
Ë 2 ¯ Ë 3¯ Ë n + 1¯
1 2 3 n -1 n 1 3 3¥3¥2 1
= ¥ ¥ ¥º¥ ¥ = . = 10
= = .
2 3 4 n n +1 n +1 C3 10 ¥ 9 ¥ 8 40
Now, Note that wr1 + wr2 + wr3 = 0 if r1, r2, r3 is a permutation of
P(A » B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A « B) the numbers of the form {3k, 3m + 1, 3n + 2} from the set
7 1 1 11 {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
= + - = Thus, r1, r2, r3 can be chosen in
40 8 40 40
(2) (2) (2) (3!) = (8) (6) ways.
Example 68: One ticket is selected at random from 50
tickets numbered 00, 01, 02, ..., 49. Then the probability that (8)(6) 2
Hence, probability of the required event = =
the sum of the digits on the selected ticket is 8, given that the (6)(6)(6) 9
product of these digits is zero, equals
Example 71: A signal which can be green or red with
5 1
(a) (b) 4 1
14 50 probability and respectively, is received by station A
5 5
1 1
(c) (d) and then transmitted to station B. The probability of each
14 7
Ans. (c) 3
station receiving the signal correctly is . If the signal
4
Solution: Let A and B denote the following events.
A : sum of digits is 8 and B: product of digits is 0. received at station B is green, then the probability that the
Then A « B = {08} original signal was green is
and B = {00, 01, 02, ..., 09, 10, ... 30, 40} 3 6
(a) (b)
5 7
P ( A « B) n ( A « B) 1
Now, P(A | B) = = = 20 9
P ( B) n ( B) 14 (c) (d)
23 20
Example 69: An urn contains nine balls of which three Ans. (c)
are red, four are blue and two are green. Three balls are Solution:
drawn at random without replacement from the urn. The
Station B
probability that the three balls have different colours is
G
3/4
1 2 Station A
(a) (b) 1/4
R
21 23 3/4 G
R
1 2 4/5 G 1/4 3/4
(c) (d) 1/4
3 7 G
R
Ans. (d) 1/ 3/4
5 R
3/4 R 1/4
Solution: Total number of ways of drawing three balls
G
out of 9 is 9C3 = 84. The number of ways of drawing the R
1/
balls so that balls are of different colours is 4 G
3/4
(3C1) (4C1) (2C1) = (3) (4) (2) = 24 1/4
G
24 2 R
\ probability of the required event = =
84 7 Fig. 24.6
Example 70: Let w be a complex cube root of unity Let G, E1, E2, and E denote the following events :
with w π 1. A fair die is thrown three times. If r1, r2 and r3 G : Original signal is green
the numbers obtained on the die, then the probability that E1 : A receives the signal correctly
wr1 + wr2 + wr3 = 0 is E2 : B receives the signal correctly
1 1 E : B receives the green signal
(a) (b)
18 9 We have
2 1 E = G E1 E2 » G E¢1 E¢2 » G¢ E1 E¢2 » G¢ E¢1 E2
(c) (d) fi P (E) = P (G E1 E2) + P (G E¢1 E¢2)
9 36
Ans. (c) + P(G¢ E1 E¢2) + P (G¢ E¢1 E¢2)
Solution: Total number of ways of throwing a fair die Ê 4ˆ Ê 3ˆ Ê 3ˆ Ê 4ˆ Ê 1ˆ Ê 1ˆ
= Á ˜Á ˜Á ˜ +Á ˜Á ˜Á ˜
three times is 6 ¥ 6 ¥ 6. Ë 5¯ Ë 4¯ Ë 4¯ Ë 5¯ Ë 4¯ Ë 4¯
 Ê 1ˆ Ê 3ˆ Ê 1 ˆ Ê 1ˆ Ê 1 ˆ Ê 3ˆ P ( A « B) 27 1
+Á ˜ Á ˜ Á ˜ +Á ˜ Á ˜ Á ˜ = = =
Ë 5¯ Ë 4 ¯ Ë 4 ¯ Ë 5¯ Ë 4 ¯ Ë 4 ¯ P ( B) - P ( A « B) 4 7-2 7 2
36 + 4 + 3 + 3 23 Example 75 Suppose A, B, C are three independent
= =
80 40 events such that P(A) = P (B) = P(C) = p, then P (at least two
Also, P(G « E) = P(G E1 E2) + P(G E¢1 E¢2) of A, B, C) equals
40 1 (a) 2p2 –3p3 (b) 3p2 – 2p3
= =
80 2 (c) p2 – p3 (d) 2p2 – p3
Ans. (b)
P (G « E ) 1/ 2 20
\ P(G | E) = = = Solution: P(at least two of A, B, C)
P (E ) 23 / 40 23
= P [( A « B « C¢ ) » (A « B¢« C) » (A¢ « B « C)
Example 72: Three numbers are chosen at random from » (A « B « C)]
the numbers 1, 2, ... 20. The probability that the arithmetic = P ( A « B « C¢) + P(A « B¢ « C) + P(A¢ « B «
mean of these numbers is 4 is C) + P(A « B « C)
(a) 7/2280 (b) 3/4 = p2 (1 – p) + p2 (1 – p) + p2(1 – p) + p3
(c) 2/7281 (d) 0
[A, B, C are independent]
Ans. (a) 2 3
= 3p –2p
Solution: Total number of ways of choosing three num-
Example 76: A and B are two students. Their probabilities
bers out of 20 is 20C3= 1140
of solving a problem correctly are 1/4 and 1/5 respectively. If
Let these numbers be x1, x2, x3.
the probability of their making a common error is 1/40, and
1
We have ( x1 + x2 + x3 ) = 4, they obtain the same answer, then the probability of their
3 answer is correct is
we get x1 + x2 +x3 =12. (a) 1/12 (b) 1/20
The possible choices of (x1, x2, x3 ) are (1, 2, 9), (1, 3, 8), (1, (c) 10/13 (d) 13/200
4, 7), (1, 5, 6) (2, 3,7), (2, 4, 6), (3, 4, 5) Ans. (c)
7 Solution: Let A, B, C and S denote the following events.
\ probability of the required event = .
1140 A : A solves the problem correctly;
B : B solves the problem correctly;
Example 73: An unbiased cubical die is thrown 5 times.
C : A and B make common errors;
The probability that the maximum number appearing on the
S : A and B reach the same answer.
die is 4 is
We have S = (A « B) » (A¢ « B¢ « C)
(a) 7/65 (b) 1023/65
(c) 3781/6 5
(d) 1781/65 fi P(S) = P (A « B) + P (A¢ « B¢ « C)
=P(A) P(B) + P(A¢) P(B¢) P(C)
Ans. (b)
Ê 1 ˆ Ê 1ˆ Ê 3ˆ Ê 4ˆ Ê 1 ˆ 13
Solution: Let X = maximum number appearing on the = Á ˜Á ˜ +Á ˜Á ˜Á ˜ =
Ë 4 ¯ Ë 5 ¯ Ë 4 ¯ Ë 5 ¯ Ë 40 ¯ 200
cubical die.
P(X = 4) = P(X < 4) – P(X < 3) Now P (answer is correct | S)
5 5 5 5 P( A « B « S ) P ( A « B)
Ê 4ˆ Ê 3ˆ Ê 2ˆ Ê 1ˆ 25 1 1023 = =
= Á ˜ -Á ˜ = Á ˜ -Á ˜ = 5 - 5 = 5 P (S ) P (S )
Ë 6¯ Ë 6¯ Ë 3¯ Ë 2¯ 3 2 6
Example 74: Let A and B be two events such that P(A) (1 4)(1 5) 10
= =
= 3/7, P(B) = 4/7 and P(A » B) = 5/7, 13 200 13
P ( A | B) Example 77: Suppose A and B are two events such that
Then equals
P ( A ¢ | B) P(A) π 0, P(B) π 0, then
(a) 1/3 (b) 2/3 (a) P(A|B) = P(A)/P(B)
(c) 1/2 (d) 3/8 (b) P(A|B) = P(A « B)/P(B)
Ans. (c) (c) P(A|B).P(B/A) = 1
Solution: P(A « B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A » B) = 2/7 (d) P(A|B) = P(A)P(B)
P ( A | B) P ( A « B) P ( B ) Ans. (b)
Now, =
P ( A ¢ | B) P ( B) P ( A ¢ « B) Solution: See theory.
 Example 78: Fig. 24.7 shows three events A, B and C. = pq3 + pq4 + pq5 + ...
Probabilities of different events are shown in the figure. For
pq3 pq3
instance, = = = q3
P(A « B¢ « C) = 0.18, 1- q p
P(A¢ « B « C¢) = 0.06 etc. and p (X > 6) = q5
q5 25
A B Thus, P(X > 6 | X > 3) = 3
= q2 = .
q 36
Example 80: If P(A) = 0.4, P(B ¢) = 0.6 and P(A « B)
0.18 0.24 0.06 = 0.15 then the value of P(A/A¢ » B¢) is
0.24 4 5
0.14
(a) (b)
0.06 17 17
10 1
0.06 (c) (d)
17 17
Ans.(b)
C
P [ A « ( A ¢ » B ¢ )]
Solution: P(A/A¢ » B¢) =
P( A¢ » B ¢)
Fig. 24.7
P ( A « B ¢)
Which of the following is not true ? =
1 - P ( A « B)
(a) A and B are independent
(b) B and C are independent P( A) - P ( A « B) 0.4 - 0.15
= =
(c) A and C are independent 1 - P ( A « B) 1 - 0.15
(d) A and B « C are independent
Ans. (c) 0.25 5
= =
0.85 17
Solution: Note that
P(A) = 0.18 + 0.24 + 0.24 + 0.14 = 0.8 Example 81: Consider 5 independent Bernoulli‘s trials
P(B) = 0.06 + 0.06 + 0.24 + 0.24 = 0.6 each with probability of success p. If the probability of at
least one failure is greater than or equal to 31/32, then p lies
P(C) = 0.06 + 0.14 + 0.24 + 0.06 = 0.5
in the interval.
P(B « C) = 0.24 + 0.06 = 0.3 = P(B) P(C) (a) [11/12, 1] (b) [1/2, 3/4]
P(C « A) = 0.14 + 0.24 = 0.38 π P(C) P(A) (c) [3/4, 11/12] (d) [0, 1/2]
P(A « B) = 0.24 + 0.24 = 0.48 = P(A) P(B) Ans.(d)
P(A « B « C) = 0.24 = P(A) P(B « C) Solution: Let X = number of failure, then X ~ B(5, 1 –p)
Example 79: A fair die is tossed repeatedly until a six P (at least one failure) = P (X ≥ 1)
is obtained. Let X denote the number of tosses required. The = 1– p (X = 0)
probability that X > 3 equals = 1–5C0 [1– (1–p)]5
125 25 = 1 p5
(a) (b)
216 216 We are given = 1 – p5 ≥ 31/32 fip5 £ 1/32
5 25 fi 0 £ p £ 1/2
(c) (d)
36 36
Ans.(d) Example 82: If C and D are two events such that
C Õ D and P(D) π 0, then the correct statement among the
1 5
Solution: Let p = , q = following is
6 6
We have P (C )
(a) P(C/D) = (b) P(C/D) = P(C)
P (X = r) = pqr – 1 " r > 1. P (D)
Now, (c) P(C/D) ≥ P(C) (d) P(C/D) < P(C)
P [ ( X ≥ 6 ) « ( X > 3 )] P ( X ≥ 6) Ans.(a)
P(X > 6 | X > 3) = =
P ( X > 3) P ( X ≥ 4) ( ) ( )
Solution: P(C/D) = P C « D = P C [∵ C Õ D]
But P(X > 4) = P (X = 4) + P(X = 5) + P (X = 6) + ... P (D) P (D)
 Example 83: Three numbers are chosen at random Example 86: Four persons A, B, C, D are to speak at
without replacement from {1, 2, 3, .... 8}.The probability a function along with 6 others. If they all speak in random
that their minimum is 3, given that their maximum is 6, is order, the probability that A speaks before B, B before C, C
(a) 1/5 (b) 1/4 before D is
(c) 2/5 (d) 3/8 (a) 1/4 (b) 1/6
Ans.(a) (c) 1/24 (d) 1/16
Solution: Total number of ways of choosing 3 numbers Ans.(c)
out of 8 is 8C3 = 56 Solution: 10 persons can speak at the function in 10!
Let A denote the event that minimum is 3 and B denote the ways.
event that maximum number is 6. We can choose 4 places out of 10 in 10C4 ways and arrange
Then A, B, C, D at the selected places in only one way. The re-
P ( A « B) maining 6 persons can be arranged in 6! ways. Thus, prob-
P(A|B) =
P ( B) ability of the required event is
5
C2
=
10 2
C1 2 =
( 10 C4 ) (6!) =
1
=
1
But P(B) = 8 and P(A « B) = 8
=
C3 56 C3 56 10! 4! 24
2 1 Example 87: Let A, B, C be pairwise independent events
\ P(A|B) = = with P(C) > 0 and P (A « B « C) = 0. Then P(A¢ « B¢|C) is
10 5
equal to
Example 84: Ten unbiased coins are thrown simultane- (a) P (A) – P (B¢) (b) P (A¢) + P (B¢)
ously. The probability of getting at least seven heads is (c) P (A¢) – P (B¢) (d) P (A¢) – P (B)
3 5 Ans.(d)
(a) (b)
64 64 Solution: P(A¢ « B¢|C) = 1 – P(A » B|C)
7 11 = 1– [P (A|C) + P (B|C) – P (A « B|C)]
(c) (d)
P (A « B « C)˘
64 64 = 1 – È P ( A) + P ( B ) -
ÍÎ P (C ) ˙˚
Ans. (d)
Solution: Let X = number of heads when 10 unbiased [∵ A, B, C are pairwise independent]
coins are thrown, then X ~ B (10, 1/2) = 1 – P (A) – P (B)
We have = P (A¢) – P (B)
7 3 8 2
Ê1 ˆ Ê1 ˆ Ê1 ˆ Ê1 ˆ Example 88: Four fair dice D1, D2, D3 and D4, each
P(X ≥ 7) = 10C7 Ë ¯ Ë ¯ +10 C8 Ë ¯ Ë ¯
2 2 2 2 having six faces numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are rolled
9 10
simultaneously. The probability D4 shows a number
Ê1 ˆ Ê1 ˆ Ê1 ˆ appearing on one of D1, D2 and D3 is
+10 C9 Ë ¯ Ë ¯ +10 C10 Ë ¯
2 2 2 91 108
(a) (b)
1 216 216
= ÈÎ 10 C7 +10 C8 +10 C9 +10 C10 ˘˚
210 125 127
(c) (d)
1 11 216 216
= 10 (176 ) = Ans.(a)
2 64
Solution: P (D4 shows number on one of D1, D2 and D3)
Example 85: Out of 13 applicants for a job there are 5
= 1 – P (D4 shows a number different from D1, D2
women and 8 men. It is desired to select 2 persons for this
and D3 )
job.The probability that at least one of the selected person
will be a woman is
6
C1 (53 ) 125 91
=1– 4
=1-
=
(a) 5/13 (b) 10/13 6 216 216
(c) 14/39 (d) 25/39 Example 89: Let A and B be two events such that
Ans.(d) P (A|B) = 1/2, P (B|A) = 1/3, P(A « B) = 1/6, then
Solution: P (at least one woman) (a) P (A » B) = 1/2
= 1 – P (no woman) (b) A and B are independent
= 1 – 8 C2 13 C2 = 25 (c) P (A¢ » B) = 1/3
39 (d) none of these
Ans.(b)
 1 P ( A « B) 1 1 P ( X1¢ « X ) P ( X1¢ X 2 X3 )
Solution: P (A/B) = fi = fi P ( B) = Now, P ( X1¢ / X ) = =
2 P ( B) 2 3 P (X ) P (X )
1 1 We have P ( X1¢ X 2 X3 ) = P ( X1¢ ) P ( X 2 ) P ( X3 )
and P (B/A) = fi P ( A) =
3 2
= (1/2) (1/4) (1/4) = 1/32
As P (A « B) = P (A) P (B), we get A and B are
and P (X) = (1/2) (1/4) (3/4) +(1/2) (3/4) (1/4)
independent.
+ (1/2) (1/4) (1/4) + (1/2) (1/4) (1/4) = 1/4
Example 90: A ship is fitted with three engines E1, E2
and E3.The engines function independently of each other \ P ( X1¢ / X ) = 1 / 8
with respective probabilities 1/2, 1/4, and 1/4. For the ship Next, X « X2 = X - X1 X 2¢ X3 ,
to be operative at least two of its engines must function. Let
X denote the event that ship is operational and let X1, X2 and P ( X « X 2 ) = P ( X ) - P ( X1 X 2¢ X3 ) = 5 / 32
X3 respectively the events that the engines E1, E2 and E3 are P ( X « X 2 ) 5 / 32 5
\ P ( X / X2 ) = = =
functioning. Let P ( X2 ) 1/ 4 8
(a) P ( X1¢ / X ) = 3 / 8 and P (Exactly two engines are functioning)
(b) P(X/X2) =7/8 = P (X – X1 X2 X3) =7/32
(c) P (Exactly two engines are functioning) = 7/8
Next, X « X1 = X - X1¢ X 2 X3
(d) P(X/X1) =7/16
Ans.(d) fi P (X « X1) = 7/32
Solution: We have P ( X « X1 ) 7 / 32 7
\ P ( X / X1 ) = = =
X= ( X1 X2 X3¢ ) » ( X1 X2¢ X3 ) » ( X1¢X2 X3 ) » ( X1 X2 X3 ) , P ( X1 ) 1 / 2 16
and X1¢ « X = X1¢ X 2 X3