Probability

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. When a pair of dice is rolled (one is yellow and (a) experiment (b) sample space
the other is green), then (c) elements (d) None of these
(a) total number of elements in sample space is 8. A event which has only X sample point(s) of a
6 × 6. sample space, is called simple event. Here, X refers
(b) sample space is {(1, 1), (1, 2), (1, 3), (1, 4), to ______.
(1, 5), (1, 6), (2, 1), (2, 2), (2, 3), (2, 4), (2, 5), (2, 6), (a) two (b) three (c) one (d) zero
(3, 1), (3, 2), (3, 3), (3, 4), (3, 5), (3, 6)}.
9. If an event has more than one sample point,
(c) both (a) and (b).
then it is called a/an ______.
(d) total number of elements in sample space is
6 + 6. (a) simple event (b) elementary event
(c) compound event (d) None of these
2. One die of red colour(R), one of white colour(W)
and one of blue colour (B) are placed in a bag. One 10. For every event A, there corresponds another
die is selected at random and rolled, its colour and event A′ called the ______ of A.
the number on its uppermost face is noted. Then, (a) complementary event
the sample space is (b) simple event
(a) S = {R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, W1, W2, W3, W4, (c) not complementary event
W5, W6, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6} (d) None of these
(b) S = {R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, W1, W2, W4, W5, 11. If A and B are mutually exclusive events and
B1, B3, B4, B5, B6} 1 13
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these P(B) = , P( A ∪ B) = , then P(A) is equal to
3 21
3. A die is thrown repeatedly until a six comes 1 4 2 5
(a) (b) (c) (d)
up. Then, the sample space for this experiment is 7 7 7 7
(a) S = {6, (1, 6), (2, 6), (3, 6)} 12. A bag contains 9 discs of which 4 are red, 3
(b) S = {(6, 1), (6, 2), (6, 4), (6, 6)} are blue and 2 are yellow. The discs are similar in
(c) infinite number of possibilities occur shape and size. A disc is drawn at random from
(d) None of these the bag. Find the probability that it is either red
4. A coin is tossed. If it shows a tail, we draw a or blue.
ball from a box which contains 2 yellow and 3 red 2 7 1 4
(a) (b) 9 (c) (d)
balls. If it shows head, we throw a die. Then, the 9 9 9
sample space for this experiment is 13. The probability that a patient visiting a
(a) S = {TY1, TY2, TR1, TR2, TR3, H1, H2, H3, H4, dentist will have a tooth extracted is 0.06, the
H5, H6} probability that he will have a cavity filled is
(b) S = {TY1, TY2, TR1, H1, H4} 0.2, and the probability that he will have a tooth
(c) S = {Y1, Y2} (d) None of these extracted or a cavity filled is 0.23. What is the
5. The empty set f is called _______ event. probability that he will have a tooth extracted as
(a) sure (b) impossible well as a cavity filled?
(c) simple (d) possible (a) 0.03 (b) 0.04 (c) 0.05 (d) 0.06
6. The whole sample space S is called _______ 14. A coin is tossed once, then the sample space is
event. (a) {H} (b) {T}
(a) sure (b) impossible (c) {H, T} (d) None of these
(c) distinct (d) negative 15. The total number of elementary events
7. Event can be classified into various types on associated to the random experiment of throwing
the basis of the ______ they have. three die together is
(a) 210 (b) 216 (c) 215 (d) 220 (a) mutually exclusive events
16. A box contains 1 red and 3 identical blue balls. (b) exhaustive events
Two balls are drawn at random in succession (c) mutually exclusive and exhaustive events
without replacement. Then, the sample space for (d) None of these
this experiment is 26. Two dice are thrown and the sum of the
(a) {RB, BR, BB} (b) {R, B, B} numbers which come up on the dice is noted. Let
(c) {RB} (d) {RB, BR} us consider the following events associated with
this experiment.
17. A coin is tossed twice. If the second throw A : “the sum is even”.
result in a tail, a die is thrown. Then, the total B : “the sum is a multiple of 3”.
number of possible outcomes of this experiment is C : “the sum is less than 4”.
(a) 11 (b) 13 (c) 14 (d) 16 D : “the sum is greater than 11”.
18. A coin is tossed repeatedly until a tail comes up Which pair of these events is mutually exclusive?
for the first time. Then, the sample space for this (a) A and B (b) B and C
experiment is (c) C and D (d) A and C
(a) {T, HT, HTT} 27. An experiment involves rolling a pair of dice.
(b) {TT, TTT, HTT, THH} The following events are recorded.
(c) {T, HT, HHT, HHHT, HHHHT,......} P : The sum is greater than 9.
(d) None of these Q : 1 occurs on either die.
19. A pair of dice is rolled. If the outcome is a R : The sum is atleast 8 and a multiple of 3.
doublet, a coin is tossed. Then, the total number Which pair of these events is/are mutually
of outcomes for this experiment is exclusive?
(a) 40 (b) 42 (c) 41 (d) 43 (a) P and Q (b) Q and R
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these
20. A bag contains 4 identical red balls and 3
identical black balls. The experiment consists of 28. A and B are two events such that P(A) = 0.54,
drawing one ball, then putting it into the bag and P(B) = 0.69 and P(A ∩ B) = 0.35.
again drawing a ball. Then, the possible outcomes Find (i) P(A′ ∩ B′) (ii) P(A ∩ B′)
of this experiment is (i) (ii)
(a) {RR, BB} (b) {RR, B,B, RR} (a) 0.12 0.19
(c) {BB, R} (d) {RR, RB, BR, BB} (b) 0.19 0.12
(c) 0.13 0.20
21. Two coins (a ` 2 coin and a ` 5 coin) are tossed
(d) 0.19 0.18
once. The total number of elements in sample
space is 29. One card is drawn from a well shuffled deck of
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 11 52 cards. If each outcome is equally likely, then
the probability that the card drawn is not a
22. When the sets A and B are two events
diamond.
associated with a sample space. Then, event
1 1 3 1
A ∪ B denotes (a) (b) (c) (d)
4 7 4 5
(a) A and B (b) only A
(c) A or B (d) only B 30. Two students Anil and Ashima appeared
in an examination. The probability that Anil
23. If A and B are two events, then the set
will qualify the examination is 0.05 and that
A ∩ B denotes the event
Ashima will qualify the examination is 0.10. The
(a) A or B (b) A and B probability that both will qualify the examination
(c) only A (d) only B is 0.02. Find the probability that only one of them
24. The set A – B denotes the event will qualify the examination.
(a) A and B (b) A or B (a) 0.11 (b) 0.10 (c) 0.12 (d) 0.13
(c) only A (d) A but not B 31. If A and B are any two events having
25. A die is rolled. Let E be the event “die shows 1 2
P( A ∪ B) = and P( A) = , then the probability
4” and F be the event “die shows an even number”. 2 3
Then, E and F are of A ∩ B is
 1 2 1 1 34. The probability of an event A occurring
(a) (b) (c) (d) is 0.5 and B occurring is 0.3. If A and B are
2 3 6 3
mutually exclusive, then the probability of
32. If A and B be two events associated with a
neither A nor B occurring is
random experiment such that P(A) = 0.3, P(B)
(a) 0.9 (b) 0.7 (c) 0.1 (d) 0.2
= 0.2 and P(A ∩ B) = 0.1, find P( A ∩ B) .
(a) 0.1 (b) 0.2 (c) 0.3 (d) 0.4 35. If A and B are any two events, then
P(A ∩ B′) =
33. If A and B be two events associated with (a) P(A) + P(B′)
a random experiment such that P(A) = 0.3,
(b) P(A) + P(A ∩ B)
P(B) = 0.2 and P(A ∩ B) = 0.1, find P( A ∩ B) . (c) P(B) – P(A ∩ B)
(a) 0.3 (b) 0.1 (c) 0.2 (d) 1.1 (d) P(A) – P(A ∩ B)

Case Based MCQs

Case I : Read the following passage and answer 40. Which disc has more probability to be drawn?
the questions from 36 to 40. (a) yellow (b) orange
In Richa’s home, She, Suhani and Reetika who (c) blue (d) red
are best friends are playing with colourful discs Case II : Read the following passage and answer
which are similar in shape and size. Richa has 4 the questions from 41 to 45.
red discs, Suhani has 3 blue discs and Reetika has Nishant has an electricity shop. From an agent
2 yellow discs. They put all the 9 discs in a bag. he got three bulbs which are manufactured by
Suhani ask Richi’s mother to drawn any discs from
a new company. Nishant wants to know if any
the bag randomly.
of three bulb is defective and classified as Good
‘non-defective’ and bad ‘defective’.

41. What is the sample space of three bulb to be

36. Find the probability that the drawn disc to be
good or bad?
red.
(a) {BBB, BBG, BGB, GBB, GBG, BGG, GGG}
1 4 5 7
(a) (b) (c) (d) (b) {BBB, BGG, GBG, GGB, GGG}
3 9 9 13
(c) {BBB, BBG, BGG, GGG}
37. Find the probability that the drawn disc is
(d) {BBB, BBG, BGB, GBB, BGG, GBG, GGB,
yellow.
4 2  GGG}
2 3
(a) (b) (c) (d)
9 9 9 13 42. Find the probability that there are no
38. Probability that the drawn disc is not blue, is defective bulb?
1 2 2 5 1 2 3 5
(a) (b) (c) (d) (a) (b) (c) (d)
3 9 3 6 8 8 8 8
39. The probability that the drawn disc is either 43. What is the probability that there is exactly
red or blue, is one bad bulb?
7 1 3 7 7 5 3 6
(a) (b) (c) (d) (a) (b) (c) (d)
9 3 22 13 8 8 8 8
44. The probability that there are atleast two 46. The total number of ways in which any of two
defective bulb is members will be selected is
9 1 5 7 (a) 4 (b) 5 (c) 6 (d) 7
(a) (b) (c) (d)
32 2 9 13 47. The probability that the committee will select
45. The probability that all the bulbs are good is no man is
2 1 4 5
1 5 2 3 (a) (b) (c) (d)
(a) (b) (c) (d) 6 6 6 6
8 8 8 8
48. The probability that the committee will select
Case III : Read the following passage and answer 1 man is
the questions from 46 to 50. 9 5 2 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
A management 10 6 3 3
committee of a 49. The probability that the committee will select
residential colony at most 1 man is
decided to award two 1 1 2 5
(a) (b) (c) (d)
members which will 6 3 3 6
be selected from two 50. The probability that the committee will select
men and two women exactly 2 men is
for honesty, helping others and for supervising the 1 5 3 7
(a) (b) (c) (d)
workers to keep the colony neat and clean. 6 6 8 9

Assertion & Reasoning Based MCQs

Directions (Q.-51 to 55) : In these questions, a statement of Assertion is followed by a statement of Reason is given. Choose
the correct answer out of the following choices :
(a) Assertion and Reason both are correct statements and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Assertion and Reason both are correct statements but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is correct statement but Reason is wrong statement.
(d) Assertion is wrong statement but Reason is correct statement..
51. Assertion : A coin is tossed. If it shows head, Assertion : The event E : “the number appears on
we draw a ball from a bag consisting of 3 brown the die is a multiple of 7”, is an impossible event.
and 4 red balls; if it shows tail we throw a die, Reason : The event F : “the number turns up is
then the sample space of this experiment is odd or even”, is a sure event.
S = {HB1, HB2, HB3, HR1, HR2, HR3, HR4, T1, T2,
T3, T4, T5, T6} 54. Assertion : If sample space of an experiment is
Reason : Consider the experiment in which a coin S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} and the events A and B are
is tossed repeatedly until a head comes up, then defined as
the sample space is A : “a number less than or equal to 3 appears”
S = {H, TH, TTH, TTTH,........} B : “a number greater than or equal to 3 appears”,
52. Assertion : A coin is tossed and then a die is then A and B are exhaustive events.
rolled only in case a head is shown on the coin. Reason : Events are exhaustive if atleast one of
The sample space for the experiment is them necessarily occur whenever the experiment
S = {H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, T} is performed.
Reason : 2 boys and 2 girls are in room X, and 1 boy
and 3 girls are in room Y. Then, the sample space 55. Assertion : The probability of drawing either
for the experiment in which a room is selected and an ace or a king from a pack of cards in a single draw
then a person, is is 2/13.
S = {XB1, XB2, XG1, XG2, YB3, YG3, YG4, YG5} Reason : For two events A and B which are not
where Bi, denote the boys and Gj, denote the girls. mutually exclusive,
53. Consider the experiment of rolling a die. Then, P(A ∪ B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A ∩ B).
sample space is S = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
 SUBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

Very Short Answer Type Questions (VSA)

1. An experiment consists of tossing a coin of a random experiment and P(A∪B) = 0.75,
once and then throwing it second time if a head P ( A) = 0.6, find P(B).
occurs. If a tail occurs on the first toss, then a
die is rolled once. Find the sample space. 6. Given two mutually exclusive events A
1 1
2. A coin is tossed once. If it shows head, we and B such that P( A) = and P(B) = , find
draw a ball from a bag consisting of 3 blue and 2 3
P (A ∪ B)′.
4 white balls. If it shows tail, we throw a die
twice. Describe sample space. 7. The probability that at least one of the
3. Suppose 3 bulbs are selected at random events E1 and E2 occurs is 0.6. If the probability
from a lot. Each bulb is tested and classified of the simultaneous occurrence of E1 and E2 is
as defective (D) or non-defective (N). Write the 0.2, find P(E1) + P(E 2 ).
sample space of this experiment.
8. If P (E′ ∩ F′) = 0.87, then find P(E ∪ F).
4. The numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 are written
1
separately on four slips of paper. The slips are 9. If E and F are events such that P(E) = ,
4
put in a box and mixed thoroughly. A person 1 1
draws two slips from the box, one after the other, P(F) = and P(E and F) = , find P(E or F).
2 8
without replacement. Describe the sample space 3 1
10. If P(A) = and P(B) = , find P(A or B), if
for the experiment. 5 5
5. If A and B are mutually exclusive events A and B are mutually exclusive events.

Short Answer Type Questions (SA-I)

11. A coin is tossed. If the outcome is a head, brakes as well as badly worn tires?
a die is thrown. If the die shows up an even 15. The probability of two events A and B are
number, the die is thrown again. What is the 0.25 and 0.50 respectively. The probability of
sample space for the experiment? their simultaneous occurrence is 0.14. Find the
12. Two dice are rolled. Let A, B, C be the events probability that neither A nor B occurs.
of getting a sum of 2, a sum of 3 and a sum of 4 16. If a card is drawn from a deck of 52 cards,
respectively. Then, show that then find the probability of getting a king or a
(i) A is a simple event heart or a red card.
(ii) B and C are compound events 17. In an essay competition, the odds in
(iii) A and B are mutually exclusive events. favour of competitors P, Q, R, S are 1 : 2, 1 : 3,
13. A die is rolled. Let ‘E ‘ be the event “die 1 : 4 and 1 : 5 respectively. Find the probability
shows prime number” and ‘F ‘ be the event that one of them wins the competition.
“die shows even number”. Are E and F mutually 18. Consider the event A = {2, 4, 6, 8} as-
exclusive? sociated with the experiment of drawing
14. Probability that a truck stopped at a a card from a deck of ten cards numbered
roadblock will have faulty brakes or badly from 1 to 10. Clearly, the sample space is
worn tires are 0.23 and 0.24 respectively. Also, S = {1, 2, 3, ......., 10}. Then, which of the following
the probability is 0.38 that a truck stopped at is/are true?
the roadblock will have faulty brakes or badly 3
(i) P(A′) = 1 – P(A) (ii) P( A′) =
working tires. What is the probability that a 5
(iii) P(A) + P(A′) = 1
truck stopped at this roadblock will have faulty
19. If P(A) = 0.59, P(B) = 0.30 and 20. A coin whose faces are marked by 3, 4 is
P(A ∩ B) = 0.21, then find P(A′ ∩ B′). tossed 5 times. Find the probability of getting a
total of 24.

Short Answer Type Questions (SA-II)

21. From a group of 2 boys and 3 girls, two (i) Find P(E1 or E2).
children are selected at random. Consider the (ii) Are E1 and E2 mutually exclusive?
following events: 1
28. If E and F are two events such that P(E) = ,
(i) A : Event that both the selected children are 4
girls 1 1
P( F ) =and P(E and F ) = , find
2 8
(ii) B : Event that the selected group consists of
(i) P(E but not F) (ii) P(F but not E)
one boy and one girl
(iii) C : Event that at least one boy is selected 29. If E and F are events such that
Which pairs of events are mutually exclusive? 1 1 1
P(E) = , P(F ) = and P(E and F ) = ,
4 2 8
22. A coin is tossed three times, consider the
(i) P(E or F) (ii) P(not E and not F).
following events :
A : ‘No head appears’ 30. The probability that a student will pass the
B : ‘Exactly one head appears’ final examination in both English and Hindi
C : ‘At least two heads appear’ is 0.5 and the probability of passing neither is
Do they form a set of mutually exclusive and 0.1. If the probability of passing the English
exhaustive events? examination is 0.75, what is the probability of
23. A drawer has 50 bolts and 150 nuts. Half of passing the Hindi examination? Explain briefly
the bolts and half of the nuts are rusted. If one the importance of examination.
item is chosen at random, what is the probability
that it is rusted or a bolt? 31. What is the probability that all L’s come
24. (i) Two dice are thrown together. What is together in the word PARALLEL?
the probability that the sum of the numbers on 32. What is the probability that in a group of
the two faces is neither divisible by 3 nor by 4? (i) 2 people, both will have the same birthday?
(ii) What is the probability that the sum of the (ii) 3 people, at least two will have the same
numbers on the two faces is divisible by 3 or 4? birthday?
25. For a post, three persons A, B and C appear (Assuming that there are 365 days in a year.)
in the interview. The probability of A being
33. A five digit number is formed by the digits 1,
selected is twice that of B and the probability of
2, 3, 4, 5 without repetition. Find the probability
B being selected is thrice that of C. What are the
that the number is divisible by 4.
individual probabilities of A, B, C being selected?
34. Four boys and two girls sit in a row at
26. P and Q are two candidates seeking admission
random. Find the probability that two girls do
in I.I.T. The probability that P is selected is 0.5
not sit together.
and the probability that both P and Q are selected
is atmost 0.3. Prove that the probability of Q being 35. In a lot of 12 Microwave ovens, there are 3
selected is atmost 0.8. defective units. A person has ordered 4 of these
27. Two dice are thrown simultaneously. Let E1 units and since each is identically packed, the
denote getting a doublet, E2 denote getting sum selection will be random. What is the probability
of the numbers appearing on the dice to be at that (i) all 4 units are good (ii) exactly 3 units are
least 10. good (iii) at least 2 units are good?