ECE3103: Probability and Random Processes ASTU
Chapter 1: Introduction
Exercises on Set Theory
EXERCISE
Consider the sets:
A = {red, green, blue}
B = {red, yellow, orange}
C = {red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple}
Find the following:
1. Find A ⋃ B
2. Find A ⋂ B
3. Find Ac⋂ C
SOLUTION:
1. The union contains all the elements in either set: A ⋃ B = {red, green, blue, yellow,
orange} Notice we only list red once.
2. The intersection contains all the elements in both sets: A ⋂ B = {red}
3. Here we’re looking for all the elements that are not in set A and are also in C. Ac ⋂ C =
{orange, yellow, purple}
EXERCISE
Suppose H = {cat, dog, rabbit, mouse}, F = {dog, cow, duck, pig, rabbit}, and W = {duck, rabbit,
deer, frog, mouse}
1. Find (H ⋂ F) ⋃ W
2. Find H ⋂ (F ⋃ W)
3. Find (H ⋂ F)c ⋂ W
SOLUTION:
1. We start with the intersection: H ⋂ F = {dog, rabbit}. Now we union that result with W:
(H ⋂ F) ⋃ W = {dog, duck, rabbit, deer, frog, mouse}
2. We start with the union: F ⋃ W = {dog, cow, rabbit, duck, pig, deer, frog, mouse}. Now
we intersect that result with H: H ⋂ (F ⋃ W) = {dog, rabbit, mouse}
3. We start with the intersection: H ⋂ F = {dog, rabbit}. Now we want to find the elements
of W that are not in H ⋂ F. (H ⋂ F)c ⋂ W = {duck, deer, frog, mouse}
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ECE3103: Probability and Random Processes ASTU
EXERCISE
Create Venn diagrams to illustrate A ⋃ B, A ⋂ B, and Ac ⋂ B
SOLUTION:
A ⋃ B contains all elements in either set.
A ⋂ B contains only those elements in both sets—in the overlap of the circles.
Ac will contain all elements not in the set A. Ac ⋂ B will contain the elements in set B that are not
in set A.
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ECE3103: Probability and Random Processes ASTU
EXERCISE
Use a Venn diagram to illustrate (H ⋂ F)c ⋂ W
SOLUTION:
We’ll start by identifying everything in the set H ⋂ F
Now, (H ⋂ F)c ⋂ W will contain everything not in the set identified above that is also in set W.
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ECE3103: Probability and Random Processes ASTU
Create an expression to represent the outlined part of the Venn diagram shown.
The elements in the outlined set are in sets H and F, but are not in set W. So we could represent
this set as H ⋂ F ⋂ Wc
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ECE3103: Probability and Random Processes ASTU
Exercises on Permutation and Combination
EXERCISE
In a class, there are 27 boys and 14 girls. The teacher wants to select 1 boy and 1 girl to represent
the class for a function. In how many ways can the teacher make this selection?
SOLUTION:
Here the teacher is to perform two operations:
(i) Selecting a boy from among the 27 boys and
(ii) Selecting a girl from among 14 girls.
The first of these can be done in 27 ways and second can be performed in 14 ways. By the
fundamental principle of counting, the required number of ways is
27 × 14 = 378.
EXERCISE
How many numbers are there between 99 and 1000 having 7 in the units place
SOLUTION:
First note that all these numbers have three digits. 7 is in the unit’s place. The middle digit can be
any one of the 10 digits from 0 to 9. The digit in hundred’s place can be any one of the 9 digits
from 1 to 9. Therefore, by the fundamental principle of counting, there are 10 × 9 = 90 numbers
between 99 and 1000 having 7 in the unit’s place.
EXERCISE
If all permutations of the letters of the word AGAIN are arranged in the order as in a dictionary.
What is the 49th word?
SOLUTION:
Starting with letter A, and arranging the other four letters, there are 4! = 24
words. These are the first 24 words. Then starting with G, and arranging A, A, I and N
in different ways, there are
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ECE3103: Probability and Random Processes ASTU
4! / 2!1!1! = 12 words. Next the 37th word starts with I.
There are again 12 words starting with I. This accounts up to the 48th word.
The 49th word is NAAGI
EXERCISE
A boy has 3 library tickets and 8 books of his interest in the library. Of
these 8, he does not want to borrow Mathematics Part II, unless Mathematics Part I is
also borrowed. In how many ways can he choose the three books to be borrowed?
SOLUTION:
Let us make the following cases:
Case (i) Boy borrows Mathematics Part II, then he borrows Mathematics Part I also.
So the number of possible choices is 6C1 = 6.
Case (ii) Boy does not borrow Mathematics Part II, then the number of possible
choices is 7C3 = 35.
Hence, the total number of possible choices is 35 + 6 = 41.
EXERCISE
In an examination there are three multiple choice questions and each
question has 4 choices. Number of ways in which a student can fail to get all answer
correct is
SOLUTION:
There are three multiple choice question, each
has four possible answers. Therefore, the total number of possible answers will be
4 × 4 × 4 = 64. Out of these possible answer only one will be correct and hence the
number of ways in which a student can fail to get correct answer is 64 – 1 = 63.
EXERCISE
How many 3-digit numbers can be formed by using the digits 1 to 9 if no digit is repeated?
SOLUTION:
9
P3 = 504
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ECE3103: Probability and Random Processes ASTU
EXERCISE
Given 5 flags of different colours, how many different signals can be generated if each signal
requires the use of 2 flags, one below the other?
SOLUTION:
Given 5 flags of different colours
We know the signal requires 2 flags.
The number of flags possible for upper flag is 5.
Now as one of the flag is taken, the number of flags remaining for lower flag in the signal is 4.
The number of ways in which signal can be given = 5 × 4 = 20.
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