Mathematics

Probability

"Prob abilit y is the

mathematical measurement
of uncertainty. It is that
branch of mathematics in
whic h t h e d egree of
uncertainty (or certainty of
occurrence of event) is
measured numerically."

1. Some basic concepts / terms

Experiment : An action or operation which can produce some well defined
result is known as experiment.
Deterministic experiment : If we perform an experiment and repeat it
under identical conditions, we get almost the same result every time, such
an experiment is called a deterministic experiment.
Random experiment : An experiment is said to be a random experiment
if it satisfies the following two conditions :
(i) It has more than one possible outcomes.
(ii) It is not possible to predict the outcome (result) in advance.
e.g., (i) Tossing a pair of fair coins. (ii) Rolling an unbiased die.
Outcomes : The possible results of a random experiment are called outcomes.
Trial : When an experiment is repeated under similar conditions and it
does not give the same result each time but may result in any one of the
several possible outcomes, the result is called a trial.
e.g., If a coin is tossed 100 times, then one toss of the coin is called a trial.
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Theory.

Event : The collection of all or some outcomes of a random experiment is

called an event.
e.g., Suppose we toss a pair of coins simultaneously and let E be the event
of getting exactly one head. Then, the event E contains HT and TH.
e.g., Suppose we roll a die and let E be the event of getting an even
number. Then the event E contains 2, 4 and 6.
Elementary or Simple Event : An outcome of a trial is called an elementary
event.
Note : An elementary event has only one element.

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CBSE : Class X
e.g., Let a pair of coins is tossed simultaneously. Then, possible outcomes
of this experiment are.
HH : Getting H on first and H on second (= E 1 ) [H = Head,
T = Tail and E = event]
HT : Getting H on first and T on second (= E2)
TH : Getting T on first and H on second (= E3) and
TT : Getting T on first and T on second (= E4)
Here, E1, E2, E3 and E4 are the elementary events associated with the
random experiment of tossing of two coins.
Compound event or composite event or mixed event
An event associated to a random experiment and obtained by combining two or
more simple events associated to the same random experiment, is called a
compound event.
OR
A compound event is an aggregate of some simple (elementary) event and
is decomposable into simple events.
e.g., If we throw a die, then the event E of getting an odd number is a
compound event because the event E contains three elements 1, 3 and 5,
which is a compound of three simple events E1, E2 and E3 containing 1, 3
THE and 5 respectively.
SPOT Equally likely events : The out comes of an experiment are said to be
LIGHT equally likely events if the chances of their happenings are neither less nor
The word Probability derives from the greater than other.
Latin probabilitas, which can also In other words, a given number of events are said to be equally likely if
mean probity, a measure of the
authority of a witness in a legal case
none of them is expected to occur in preference to the others.
in Europe, and often correlated with e.g., In tossing a coin, getting head (H) and tail (T) are equally likely events.
the witness's nobility.
BUILDING CONCEPTS 1
Which of the following experiments have equally likely outcomes? Explain.
(i) A coin is tossed. It turns to be a head or a tail.
(ii) A monitor is nominated by the class teacher of a class. It is a boy or a girl.
Explanation
(i) because when a coin is tossed either a head or a tail turns.
2. Experimental (or empirical) probability
The experimental or empirical probability P(E) of an event is defined as
Number of trials in which the event happened m
P(E) = i.e., P(E) =
Total number of trials n
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Theory.

Note : (i) These probabilities are based on results of an actual

experiment.
(ii) These probabilities are only 'estimates', i.e., we may get
different probabilities for the same event in various
experiments.
3. Theoretical (or classical) probability
The theoretical or classical probability of an event E, written as P(E), is
defined as
Number of outcomes favourable to E
P(E) =
Number of all possible outcomes of the experiment
where the outcomes of the experiment are equally likely.

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BUILDING CONCEPTS 2
A die is thrown once (i) What is the probability of getting a number greater
than 4? (ii) What is the probability of getting a number less than or equal
to 4?
Explanation
The possible outcomes are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Let E = the event of getting a number greater than 4
and F = the event of getting a number less than or equal to 4.
(i) The outcomes favourable to E are 5 and 6.
the number of outcomes favourable to E is 2.
2 1
Therefore, P(E) = P(number greater than 4) =
6 3
(ii) The outcomes favourable to F are 1, 2, 3, 4.
the number of outcomes favourable to F is 4.
4 2
Therefore, P(E) = P(number less than or equal to 4) =
6 3
Note : Events E and F are not elementary events because event E has 2
outcomes and the event F has 4 outcomes.

BUILDING CONCEPTS 3
Two unbiased coins are tossed simultaneously. Find the probability of getting THE
(i) one head (ii) one tail (iii) two heads (iv) at least one head SPOT
(v) at most one head (vi) no head. LIGHT
Explanation Probability theory is applied in
If two unbiased coins are tossed simultaneously, then all possible outcomes are everyday life in risk assessment and
HH, HT, TH, TT. in trade on commodity markets. An
Total number of possible outcomes = 4. assessment by a commodity trader
(i) Let A1 = the event of getting one head. that a war is more likely vs. less likely
Then, favourable outcomes are HT, TH . sends prices up or down and signals
Number of favourable outcomes = 2 . other traders of that opinion.
2 1
Hence, required probability = P (getting one head) = P(A1) =
4 2
(ii) Let A2 = the event of getting one tail.
Then, favourable outcomes are TH, HT.
Number of favourable outcomes = 2 .
2 1
Hence, required probability = P (getting one tail) = P(A2) =
4 2
(iii) Let A3 = the event of getting two heads
Then, the favourable outcome is HH
Number of favourable outcome = 1
1
Hence, required probability = P (getting two heads) = P(A3) =
4
(iv) Let A4 = the event of getting at least one head.
Then, the favourable outcomes are HT, TH, HH
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Theory.

Number of favourable outcomes = 3

3
Hence, required probability = P (getting at least one head) = P(A4) =
4
(v) Let A5 = the event of getting atmost one head.
Then, the favourable outcomes are TT, HT, TH.
Number of favourable outcomes = 3
3
Hence, required probability = P (getting atmost one head) = P(A5) =
4
(vi) Let A6 = the event of getting no head.
Then, the favourable outcomes is TT
Number of favourable outcome = 1
1
Hence, required probability = P (getting one head) = P(A6) =
4
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CBSE : Class X
4. Some special events
Impossible event (or null event)
An event is said to be an impossible event when none of the outcomes is
favourable to the event.
The probability of an impossible event = 0 .

BUILDING CONCEPTS 4
What is the probability of getting a number 8 in a single throw of a die?
Explanation
The possible outcomes are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Let E = the event of getting a number 8 in a single throw of a die.
THE
SPOT Clearly, the number of outcomes favourable to E is 0 and the total number
of possible outcomes is 6.
LIGHT
0
In the experimental or empirical ap- Therefore, P(E) = = 0 . Here, E is an impossible event.
proach to probability, the probabili- 6
ties of events are based on the re- Sure (or certain) event
sults of actual experiments and ad- An event is said to be a sure (or certain) event when all possible outcomes
equate recordings of the happening
are favourable to the event.
of the events, while in theoretical ap-
proach to probability, we try to find The probability of a sure event is 1.
(predict) the probabilities of the
events without actually performing BUILDING CONCEPTS 5
the experiments. What is the probability of getting a number less than 7 in a single throw
of a die?
Explanation
The possible outcomes are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Let F = the event of getting
a number less than 7 in a single throw of a die. Clearly, the number of
outcomes favourable to F are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. i.e., the number of outcomes
favourable to F is 6.
6
Therefore, P(E) = = 1. Here, F is a sure (or certain) event.
6
Complement of an event
Corresponding to every event E associated with random experiment, there
is an event 'not E', which occurs only when E does not occur.
The event E , representing 'not E', is called the complement of the event E.
E and E are also called complementary events.
In general, P(E) + P( E ) = 1
i.e., P( E ) = 1 – P(E) or P(not E) = 1 – P(E)
An important result
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Theory.

The probability of an event always lies between 0 and 1.

i.e., 0 P(E) 1
Proof : Let m be the number of favourable outcomes of an event E and n
be the total number of outcomes. Then, 0 m n [m neither be negative
nor be greater than n]
m n m
0 0 1 0 P(E) 1
n n n
Thus, the probability of an event always lies between 0 and 1.
Notes :(i) Let E1, E2, E3,..., En be the n elementary events associated
with a random experiment having exactly n outcomes. Then,
P(E1) + P(E2) + P(E3) +...+ P(En) = 1

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e.g., A bag contains 3 red balls, 4 white balls and 5 green balls. A ball is drawn
at random.
Let R = the event of getting a red ball,
W = the event of getting a white ball
and G = the event of getting a green ball.
Here, total number of balls (outcomes) = 3 + 4 + 5 = 12 .
3
Then, P(R) = [Number of favourable outcomes = 3]
12
4
P(W) = [Number of favourable outcomes = 4]
12
5
and, P(G) = [Number of favourable outcomes = 5]
12
3 4 5 12
Clearly, 1.
12 12 12 12
i.e., P(R) + P(W) + P(G) = 1.

NUMERICAL ABILITY 1
If P(E) = 0.05, what is the probability of 'not E'?
Solution
We have P(E) = 0.05
P(not E) = 1 – P(E) = 1 – 0.05 = 0.95
Therefore, P(not E) = 0.95.
Designation of playing cards

Pack
of (52)
Cards

Red Cards (26) Black Cards (26)

Diamond (13) Heart (13) Spade (13) Club (13)

CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Theory.

(i) A deck (pack) of cards contains 52 cards, out of which there are 26 red
cards and 26 black cards.
(ii) There are four suits each containing 13 cards.
(iii) The cards in each suit are ace , king, queen, jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4,
3 and 2.
(iv) Kings, queens and jacks are called face cards (4 + 4 + 4 = 12) .
(v) Kings, queens, jacks and aces are called honour cards (4 + 4 + 4 + 4
= 16).

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BUILDING CONCEPTS 6
A card is drawn at random from a well shuffled deck of 52 cards. Find
the probability that the card drawn is –
(i) a red card (ii) a non-ace (iii) a king or a jack (iv) neither a king nor a queen.
Explanation
If a card is drawn at random from a well shuffled deck of 52 cards, then
total number of possible outcomes = 52
(i) Let A1 = event of getting a red card.
Then, the number of favourable outcomes = 26 .
26 1
Hence, required probability = P (getting a red card) = P(A1) =
52 2
(ii) Let A2 = event of getting a non-ace.
Then, the number of favourable outcomes = 48. [ there are 4 aces
in a pack of playing cards]
48 12
Hence, required probability = P (getting a non-ace) =
52 13
(iii) Let A3 = event of getting a king or a jack
There are 4 king cards and 4 jack cards.
Hence, required probability = P(A3) = P (getting a king or a jack) =
4 4 8 2
THE P (getting a king) + P (getting a jack) =
52 52 52 13
SPOT (iv) Let A4 = event of getting neither a king nor a queen.
There are 4 king and 4 queen cards.
LIGHT Hence, required probability = P(A4) = P (getting neither a king nor a queen)
A significant application of probabil- = 1 – P (getting a king or a queen) = 1 – [P (getting a king) + P (getting a
ity theory in everyday life is reliabil-
queen)]
ity. Many consumer products, such as
automobiles and consumer electron- 4 4 8 44 11
=1– 1–
ics, use reliability theory in product 52 52 52 52 13
design to reduce the probability of Aliter : Let A4 : event of getting neither king nor queen.
failure. Failure probability may in-
There are 4 king and 4 queen cards.
fluence a manufacture's decisions on
a product's warranty. no. of favourable outcomes,
i.e., neither king nor queen cards = 52 – 8 = 44
44 11
Hence, P(A4) =
52 13

BUILDING CONCEPTS 7
A box contains 5 red, 4 green and 7 white balls. A ball is drawn at random
from the box. Find the probability that the ball drawn is
(i) white (ii) neither red nor white
Explanation
Total number of balls in the box = 5 + 4 + 7 = 16 .
Let A1 = event of getting a red ball, A2 = event of getting a white ball.
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Theory.

(i) There are 7 white balls in the box.

7
Hence, required probability = P(A2) = P (getting a white ball) =
16
(ii) There are 7 white and 5 red balls in the box.
Hence, required probability = P (getting neither red nor white ball)
= 1 – P (getting either red or white ball)
= 1 – (P (getting a red ball) + P (getting a white ball)]
5 7 12 4 1
=1 – 1–
16 16 16 16 4
Aliter : P(getting neither red nor white ball) = P (getting a green ball)
4 1
=
16 4

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NCERT QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
3. Why is tossing a coin considered to be a fair way of
EXERCISE : 15.1
deciding which team should get the ball at the beginning
1. Complete the following statements : of a football game?
(i) Probability of an event E + probability of the event Sol. Since on tossing a coin, the outcomes ‘head’ and
'not E' = _____. ‘tail’ are equally likely, the result of tossing a coin
(ii) Probability of an event that cannot happen is is completely unpredictable and so it is a fair way.
_____. Such an event is called _____ 4. Which of the following cannot be the probability of
an event?
(iii) The probability of an event that is certain to
2
happen is _____. Such an event is called _____. (A) (B) – 1.5 (C) 15% (D) 0.7
3
(iv) The sum of the probabilities of all the Sol. Probability of an event cannot be less than 0 and
elementary events of an experiment is _____. greater than 1. Therefore, the correct option is (B)
(v) The probability of an event is greater than or because the value – 1.5 is less than 0.
equal to _____ and less than or equal to _____. 5. If P(E) = 0.05, what is the probability of 'not E'?
Sol. We have P(E) = 0.05
Sol. (i) Probability of an event E + Probability of the
P(not E) = 1 – P(E) = 1 – 0.05 = 0.95
event 'not E' = 1.
Therefore, P(not E) = 0.95.
(ii) The probability of an event that cannot happen
6. A bag contains lemon flavoured candies only. Malini
is 0. Such an event is called impossible event.
takes out one candy without looking into the bag.
(iii) The probability of an event that is certain to What is the probability that she takes out
happen is 1. Such an event is called sure or (i) An orange flavoured candy?
certain event. (ii) A lemon flavoured candy?
(iv) The sum of the probabilities of all the Sol. (i) Since there are lemon flavoured candies only
elementary events of an experiment is 1. in the bag.
(v) The probability of an event is greater than or Taking out orange flavoured candy is not
equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1. possible.
2. Which of the following experiments have equally Probability of taking out an orange flavoured
likely outcomes? Explain. candy = 0.
(ii) Also probability of taking out a lemon flavoured
(i) A driver attempts to start a car. The car starts or
candy = 1.
does not start.
7. It is given that in a group of 3 students, the
(ii) A player attempts to shoot a basketball. She/he
probability of 2 students, not having the same
shoots or misses the shot. birthday is 0.992. What is the probability that the
(iii) A trial is made to answer a true-false question. The 2 students have the same birthday?
answer is right or wrong. Sol. Event E is that two students out of 3 have same
(iv) A baby is born. It is a boy or a girl. birthday. We are given that P (not E) = 0.992.
Then P(E) =1 – P(not E) = 1–0.992 = 0.008
Sol. (i) The car starts normally; only when there is some
8. A bag contains 3 red balls and 5 black balls. A ball
defect, the car does not start. So, the outcome
is drawn at random from the bag. What is the
is not equally likely. probability that the ball drawn is (i) red (ii) not red?
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

(ii) The player may shoot or miss the shot. Sol. Total number of balls = 3 + 5 = 8
The outcome are not equally likely. Number of possible outcomes = 8
(iii) The outcome in this trial of true-false question is (i) There are 3 red balls.
either true or false, i.e., one out of the two and Number of favourable outcomes = 3
both have equal chances to happen. Hence, the
Number of favourable outcomes 3
two outcomes are equally likely. P(red) =
Number of all possible outcomes 8
(iv) In advance it is known that newly born baby has
to be either a boy or a girl. (ii) Probability of the ball drawn which is not
The outcomes either a boy or a girl are 3 8 3 5
equally likely to occur. red = 1 – P(red) = 1 –
8 8 8

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9. A box contains 5 red marbles, 8 white marbles and 11. Gopi buys a fish from a shop for his aquarium. The
4 green marbles. One marble is taken out of the shopkeeper takes out one fish at random from a tank
box at random. What is the probability that the containing 5 male fish and 8 female fish. What is the
probability that the fish taken out is a male fish?
marble taken out will be (i) red ? (ii) white? (iii) not
Sol. Number of male fishes = 5
green?
Number of female fishes = 8
Sol. Total number of marbles in the box
Total number of fishes = 8 + 5 = 13
= 5 + 8 + 4 = 17 .
Total number of outcomes = 13
Let A1 = event of getting a red marble,
For a male fish :
A2 = event of getting a white marble
Number of favourable outcomes = 5
and A3 = event of getting a green marble.
(i) There are 5 red marbles in the box. 5
P(male fish) = .
Hence, required probability 13
5
= P(A1) = P(getting a red marble) = 12. A game of chance consists of spinning an arrow which
17 comes to rest pointing at one of the numbers
(ii) There are 8 white marbles in the box. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, and these are equally likely
Hence, required probability = P(A2) outcomes. What is the probability that it will point at
(i) 8?
8
= P(getting a white marble) = (ii) an odd number?
17
(iii) a number greater than 2?
(iii) There are 4 green marbles in the box.
(iv) a number less than 9?
4
P(A3) = P(getting a green marble) = Sol. Total number marked = 8
17
Total number of possible outcomes = 8
Hence, required probability
(i) When pointer points at 8
= P (not getting a green marble)
Number of favourable outcomes = 1
= 1 – P(getting a green marble)
4 13
= 1 – P(A3) = 1 – . No. of favourable
17 17 outcomes 1
10. A piggy bank contains hundred 50p coins, fifty Re P(8) =
Total number of 8
1 coins, twenty Rs 2 coins and ten Rs 5 coins. If it possible outcomes
is equally likely that one of the coins will fall out when
the bank is turned upside down, what is the (ii) When pointer points at an odd number :
probability that the coin Odd numbers are 1, 3, 5 and 7
(i) will be a 50 p coin (ii) will not be a Rs 5 coin? Number of favourable outcomes = 4
Sol. Number of : 50 p coins = 100, ` 1 coins = 50
` 2 coins = 20, ` 5 coins = 10 No. of favourable
outcomes 4 1
Total number of coins P(odd) =
Total number of 8 2
= 100 + 50 + 20 + 10 = 180 possible outcomes
Total possible outcomes = 180
(i) For a 50 p coin : (iii) When pointer points at a number greater than
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

Favourable events = 100 2

( The numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are greater
100 5
P(50p) = = than 2)
180 9
Number of numbers greater than 2 = 6
(ii) For not a ` 5 coin : Number of favourable outcomes = 6
Number of ` 5 coins = 10 P(greater than 2)
Number of ‘not ` 5’ coins = 180 – 10 = 170
Favourable outcomes = 170 No. of favourable
outcomes 6 3
170 17 =
P(not 5 rupee coin) = Total number of 8 4
180 18 possible outcomes

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(iv) When pointer points a number less than 9 (iii) Since, cards of diamond and heart are red
The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are There are 2 kings, 2 queens, 2 jacks
less than 9. i.e., 6 cards are red face cards.
Number of numbers less than 9 = 8 Favorable outcomes = 6
Number of favourable outcomes = 8
No. of favourable
No. of favourable outcomes
outcomes 8 P(red face card) =
P(less than 9) = Total number of
Total number of 8 possible outcomes
possible outcomes
=1
13. A die is thrown once. Find the probability of getting 6 3
=
(i) a prime number 52 26
(ii) number lying between 2 and 6 (iv) Since, there is only 1 jack of hearts.
(iii) an odd number. Number of favourable outcomes = 1
Sol. There are 6 outcomes when a die is thrown. These
are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and all have equally likely No. of favourable
outcomes 1
chances. P(jack of hearts) =
Total number of 52
(i) 2, 3, 5 are prime numbers. possible outcomes
3 1
Therefore P(getting a prime) = (v) There are 13 spades in a pack of 52 cards
6 2
(ii) 3, 4, 5 are the numbers lying between 2 and 6 Favourable outcomes = 13.
Therefore, P (getting a number between 2 and
3 1 No. of favourable
6) = outcomes 13 1
6 2 P(spade) =
(iii) 1, 3, 5 are the odd numbers. Total number of 52 4
possible outcomes
3 1
Therefore, P (getting an odd number) =
6 2 (vi) There is only one queen of diamond.
14. One card is drawn from a well-shuffled deck of 52 Number of favourable outcomes = 1
cards. Find the probability of getting
P(queen of diamonds)
(i) a king of red colour (ii) a face card
(iii) a red face card (iv) the jack of hearts
No. of favourable
(v) a spade (vi) the queen of diamonds outcomes 1
=
Sol. Number of cards in deck = 52 Total number of 52
Total number of possible outcomes = 52 possible outcomes
(i) Number of red colour kings = 2
[ King of diamond and heart is red] 15. Five cards-the ten, jack, queen, king and ace of
Number of favourable outcomes = 2 diamonds, are well-shuffled with their face
downwards. One card is then picked up at random.
No. of favourable
(i) What is the probability that the card is the queen?
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

outcomes 2 1
P(red king) =
Total number of 52 26 (ii) If the queen is drawn and put aside, what is the
possible outcomes probability that the second card picked up is
(ii) For a face card
4 kings, 4 queens and 4 jacks are face cards (a) an ace? (b) a queen?
Number of face cards = 12 Sol. (i) There is only one queen out of the five cards.
Number of favourable outcomes = 12 There, P(getting queen) = 1/5
(ii) When queen is drawn, four cards are left which
No. of favourable are a ten, a jack, a king and an ace.
outcomes 12 3
P(face card) = = (a) P(an ace) = 1/4
Total number of 52 13
possible outcomes (b) P(a queen) = 0/4 = 0

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16. 12 defective pens are accidentally mixed with 132 (ii) Perfect square from 1 to 90 are 1, 4, 9, 16,
good ones. It is not possible to just look at a pen 25, 36, 49, 64 and 81.
and tell whether or not it is defective. One pen is Number of perfect squares = 9
taken out at random from this lot. Determine the Number of favourable outcomes = 9
probability that the pen taken out is a good one. P(Perfect square)
Sol. We have number of good pens = 132 and
number of defective pens = 12 No. of favourable
Total number of pens = 132 + 12 = 144 outcomes 9 1
=
Total number of 90 10
Total possible outcomes = 144
possible outcomes
There are 132 good pens
Number of favourable outcomes = 132 (iii) Numbers divisible by 5 from 1 to 90 are 5, 10,
15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65,
No. of favourable 70, 75, 80, 85, 90
outcomes 132 11
P(good pens) = i.e., There are 18 numbers from (1 to 90)
Total number of 144 12
possible outcomes which are divisible by 5.
Numbers of favourable outcomes = 18
17. (i) A lot of 20 bulbs contain 4 defective ones. One P(Numbers divisible by 5)
bulb is drawn at random from the lot. What is
the probability that this bulb is defective? No. of favourable
outcomes 18 1
(ii) Suppose the bulb drawn in (i) is not defective =
Total number of 90 5
and is not replaced. Now one bulb is drawn at
possible outcomes
random from the rest. What is the probability
that this bulb is not defective? 19. A child has a die whose six faces show the letters
4 1 as given below:
Sol. (i) P (Bulb drawn is defective) =
20 5
(ii) When a good bulb is drawn out from the 20 A B C D E A
bulbs, then there are 4 defective and 15 good bulbs The die is thrown once. What is the probability of
left in the remaining 19 bulbs. getting (i) A (ii) D?
Now, P (Bulbs drawn out of 19 bulbs is not defective) Sol. Since, there are six faces of the given die and these
= 15/19 faces are marked with letters
18. A box contains 90 discs which are numbered from
A B C D E A
1 to 90. If one disc is drawn at random from the
box, find the probability that it bears (i) a two-digit Total number of letters = 6
number (ii) a perfect square number (iii) a number (i) Two faces are having the letter A.
divisible by 5. Number of favourable outcomes = 2
Sol. We have total number of discs = 90
Total number of possible outcomes = 90 No. of favourable
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

outcomes 2 1
(i) Since, two-digit numbers are 10, 11, 12, .... Now, P(letter A) =
Total number of 6 3
90. possible outcomes
Number of two-digit numbers = 90 – 9 = 81
Number of favourable outcomes = 81 (ii) Number of D's = 1
P(Two digit number) Number of possible outcomes = 1

No. of favourable No. of favourable

outcomes 81 9 outcomes 1
= P(letter D) =
Total number of 90 10 Total number of 6
possible outcomes possible outcomes

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 Mathematics
20. Suppose you drop a die at random on the rectangular (ii) A student argues that there are 11 possible
region shown in fig. What is the probability that it will outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and
12. Therefore each of them has a probability
land inside the circle with diameter 1m?
1/11. Do you agree with this argument? Justify
your answer.
2m Sol. Two dice are thrown together.
Following are the possible outcomes :
(1, 1); (1, 2); (1, 3); (1, 4); (1, 5); (1, 6);
3m
(2, 1); (2, 2); (2, 3); (2, 4); (2, 5); (2, 6);
Sol. Area of the rectangle = 3m × 2m = 6m2
(3, 1); (3, 2); (3, 3); (3, 4); (3, 5); (3, 6);
2
1 (4, 1); (4, 2); (4, 3); (4, 4); (4, 5); (4, 6);
Area of the circle = × m2 = m2
2 4 (5, 1); (5, 2); (5, 3); (5, 4); (5, 5); (5, 6);
/4 (6, 1); (6, 2); (6, 3); (6, 4); (6, 5); (6, 6)
Probability (die will land inside the circle) =
6 Here number of all possible outcomes is 6 ×6 = 36
(i) (a) The sum on two dice is 3 for
24 (1, 2) and (2, 1)
21. A lot consists of 144 ball pens of which 20 are Favourable outcomes = 2
defective and the others are good. Nuri will buy a 2 1
pen if it is good, but will not buy if it is defective. P(3) = =
36 18
The shopkeeper draws one pen at random and gives (b) The sum on two dice is 4 for
it to her. What is the probability that (1, 3), (2, 2) and (3, 1).
(i) She will buy it (ii) She will not buy it ? Number of favourable outcomes = 3
Sol. Total number of ball pens = 144
3 1
Total number of possible outcomes = 144 P(4) = =
36 12
(i) Since there are 20 defective pens (c) The sum on two dice is 5 for
Number of good pens = 144 – 20 = 124 (1, 4), (2, 3), (3, 2) and (4, 1)
Number of favourable outcomes = 124 Number of favourable outcomes = 4
124 31
Probability that she will buy it = 4 1
144 36 P(5) = =
36 9
(ii) Probability that she will not buy it
(d) The sum on two dice is 6 for
= 1 – [Probability that she will buy it]
(1, 5), (2, 4), (3, 3), (4, 2) and (5, 1)
31 36 31 5 Number of favourable outcomes = 5
=1– = .
36 36 36
5
22. Two dice are thrown at the same time. P(6) =
36
(i) Complete the following table
(e) The sum on two dice is 7 for
Event : Sum on 2 dice Probability (1, 6), (2, 5), (3, 4), (4, 3), (5, 2) and (6, 1)
1 Number of favourable outcomes = 6
2
36 6 1
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

3 P(7) = =
36 6
4 (f) The sum on two dice is 9 for
5 (3, 6), (4, 5), (5, 4) and (6, 3)
6
Number of favourable outcomes = 4
7
5 4 1
8 P(9) = =
36 36 9
9 (g) The sum of two dice is 10 for
10 (4, 6), (5, 5), (6, 4)
11 Number of favourable outcomes = 3
1 3
12 1
36 P(10) = =
36 12
11
CBSE : Class X
(h) The sum of two dice is 11 for (5, 6) and (i) Let E be the event that 5 does not come up
(6, 5) either time, then
Number of favourable outcomes = 2 The favourable outcomes are = [36 – (5 + 6)]
2 1 25
P(11) = = = 25 P(E) =
36 18 36
Thus, the complete table is as under.
(ii) Let N be the event that 5 will come up at least
Event:Sum once, then number of favourable outcomes
on2dice 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1
= 5 + 6 = 11
Probability
36 36 36 36 3 6 36 3 6 36 36 3 6 36
11
P(N) =
(ii) No, the eleven sums are not equally likely. 36
The argument is not correct.
25. Which of the following arguments are correct and
23. A game consists of tossing a one rupee coin 3 times
which are not correct? Give reasons for your answer.
and noting its outcome each time. Hanif wins if all
the tosses give the same result i.e., three heads or (i) If two coins are tossed simultaneously there are
three tails, and loses otherwise. Calculate the three possible outcomes- two heads, two tails
probability that Hanif will lose the game. or one of each. Therefore, for each of these
Sol. Possible outcomes are outcomes, the probability is 1/3.
(ii) If a die is thrown, there are two possible outcomes-
HHH, TTT, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT
an odd number or an even number. Therefore,
i.e., in all 8 outcomes. the probability of getting an odd number is 1/2
Out of these, 6 outcomes other than HHH and TTT Sol. (i) Incorrect. Given argument is not correct.
favour the event E that Hanif will lose the game.
Because, if two coins are tossed simultaneously
6 3 then four outcomes are possible (HH, HT, TH,
Therefore, P (Hanif will lose the game) =
8 4 TT). So total outcomes is 4.
24. A die is thrown twice. What is the probability that
1
(i) 5 will not come up either time? Probability = .
4
(ii) 5 will come up at least once?
(ii) Correct. Because the two outcomes are
Sol. Since, throwing a die twice or throwing two dice possible. Total outcomes = 6 and odd numbers
simultaneously is the same. = 3 and even numbers = 3.
All possible outcomes are : So, favourable outcomes = 3 (in both the cases
(1, 1); (1, 2); (1, 3); (1, 4); (1, 5); (1, 6); even or odd).
(2, 1); (2, 2); (2, 3); (2, 4); (2, 5); (2, 6);
(3, 1); (3, 2); (3, 3); (3, 4); (3, 5); (3, 6); 3 1
Probability =
(4, 1); (4, 2); (4, 3); (4, 4); (4, 5); (4, 6); 6 2
(5, 1); (5, 2); (5, 3); (5, 4); (5, 5); (5, 6);
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

(6, 1); (6, 2); (6, 3); (6, 4); (6, 5); (6, 6)
All possible outcomes = 36

12
 Mathematics

SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. Find the probability of getting a head when a coin 3. A die is thrown once. Find the probability of getting
is tossed once. (i) a prime number
Sol. When a coin is tossed, then all possible outcomes (ii) a number lying between 2 and 6
are H and T (iii) an odd number.
Sol. If a die is thrown, then all possible outcomes are
Total number of possible outcomes = 2 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Let E be the event of getting a head Total number of possible outcomes = 6.
number of favourable outcome = 1 (i) Let A1 = event of getting a prime number.
Then, the favourable outcomes are 2, 3, 5.
Hence, required probability = P(E) Number of favourable outcomes = 3
Number of favourable outcomes 1 Hence, required probability
=
Total number of possible outcomes 2 3 1
= P (getting a prime number) = P(A1) =
2. Three unbiased coins are tossed together. Find the 6 2
probability of getting (ii) Let A2 = event of getting a number lying between
2 and 6.
(i) one head (ii) two heads (iii) all heads
Then, the favourable outcomes are 3, 4, 5.
(iv) at least two heads Number of favourable outcomes = 3 .
Sol. If three unbiased coins are tossed together, then all Hence, required probability = P (getting a number
possible outcomes are : 3 1
lying between 2 and 6) = P(A2) =
HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, HTT, THT, TTH, TTT 6 2
Total number of possible outcomes = 8 (iii) Let A3 = event of getting an odd number.
Then, the favourable outcomes are 1, 3, 5.
(i) Let A1 = the event of getting one head.
Number of favourable outcomes = 3 .
Then, the favourable outcomes are HTT, THT, TTH Hence, required probability = P (getting an odd
Number of favourable outcomes = 3 3 1
number) = P(A3) =
Hence, required probability = P (getting one head) 6 2
3 4. A die is thrown twice. What is the probability that
= P(A1) = (i) 6 will not come up either time?
8
(ii) 6 will come up at least once?
(ii) Let A2 = the event of getting two heads. Sol. If a die is thrown twice, then all the possible outcomes
Then, the favourable outcomes are HHT, HTH, THH. are :
(1,1), (1,2), (1,3), (1,4), (1,5), (1,6), (2,1), (2,2),
Number of favourable outcomes = 3 (2,3), (2,4), (2,5), (2,6), (3,1), (3,2), (3,3), (3,4), (3,5),
Hence, required probability = P (getting two heads) (3,6), (4,1), (4,2), (4,3), (4,4), (4,5), (4,6), (5,1) ,(5,2),
3 (5,3), (5,4), (5,5), (5,6), (6,1), (6,2), (6,3 ),(6,4), (6,5),
= P(A2) = . (6,6).
8
Total number of outcomes = 36 .
(iii) Let A3 = event of getting all heads. (i) Let A1 = event of getting 6 not either time.
Then, the favourable outcomes is HHH Then, the favourable outcomes are:
(1,1), (1,2), (1,3), (1,4), (1,5), (2,1), (2,2), (2,3), (2,4),
Number of favourable outcome = 1
(2,5), (3,1), (3,2), (3,3), (3,4), (3,5), (4,1), (4,2), (4,3),
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

Hence, required probability = P (getting all heads) (4,4), (4,5), (5,1), (5,2), (5,3), (5,4), (5,5).
1 Number of favourable outcomes = 25
= P(A3) =
8 Hence, required probability = P (6 will not come
(iv) Let A4 = event of getting at least two heads. up either time) = P(A1) = 25/36
(ii) Let A2 = event of getting 6 at least once.
Then, the favourable outcomes are HHT, HTH,
Then, the favourable outcomes are
THH, HHH
(1,6), (2,6), (3,6), (4,6), (5,6), (6,1), (6,2), (6,3), (6,4),
Number of favourable outcomes = 4 (6,5), (6,6).
Hence, required probability = P (getting at least Number-of favourable outcomes = 11
Hence, required probability = P (6 will come up at
4 1
two heads) = P(A4) = 11
8 2
least once) = P(A2) =
36
13
CBSE : Class X
5. A pair of dice is thrown simultaneously. Find the 6. All the three face cards of spades are removed
probability of getting from a well-shuffled pack of 52 cards. A card is
then drawn at random from the remaining pack.
(i) a doublet Find the probability of getting
(ii) sum of the numbers on two dice is always 7 (i) a black face card (ii) a queen (ii) a black card

(iii) an even number on the first die and a multiple Sol. If all the three face cards of spades are removed
of 3 on the other. from a well-shuffled pack of 52 cards, then there
are 49 cards left in the pack.
Sol. If a pair of dice is thrown simultaneously, then all (i) Let A1 = event of getting a black face card.
the possible outcomes are:
There are 3 black face cards left. (face cards of club)
(1,1), (1,2), (1,3), (1,4), (1,5), (1,6), (2,1), (2,2),
Hence, required probability = P(A1) = P (getting a
(2,3), (2,4), (2,5), (2,6), (3,1), (3,2), (3,3), (3,4),
3
(3,5), (3,6), (4,1), (4,2), (4,3), (4,4), (4,5), (4,6), black face card) =
(5,1), (5,2), (5,3), (5,4), (5,5), (5,6), (6,1), (6,2), 49
(6,3), (6,4), (6,5), (6,6). (ii) Let A2 = event of getting a queen.

Total number of possible outcomes = 36 There are three queens left.

Hence, required probability = P(A2)
(i) Let A1 = event of getting a doublet.
3
Then, the favourable outcomes are (1,1),(2,2),(3,3), = P (getting a queen) =
49
(4,4),(5,5),(6,6). (iii) Let A3 = event of getting a black card.

Number of favourable outcomes = 6 There are 23 black cards left.

Hence, required probability = P(A3)
Here, required probability = P (getting a doublet)
6 1 23
= P(A1) = = P (getting a black card) =
36 6 49
7. A bag contains 5 red balls and some blue balls. If
(ii) Let A2 = event of getting a sum of the numbers on
the probability of drawing a blue ball is double that
two dice is always 7.
of red ball, determine the number of blue balls in
Then, the favourable outcomes are (1,6), (2,5), (3,4), the bag.
Sol. There are 5 red balls in a bag.
(4,3), (5,2), (6,1)
Let number of blue balls be x.
Number of favourable outcomes = 6
Let A1 = event of getting a red ball
Here, required probability = P (getting a sum of
and A2 = event of getting a blue ball.
the numbers on two dice is always 7)
5
6 1 P(A1) = P (getting a red ball) =
x 5
= P(A2) =
36 6 x
P(A2) = P (getting a blue ball) =
x 5
(iii) Let A3 = event of getting an even number on the
2P(A1) = P(A2)
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

first die and a multiple of 3 on the other.

2 5 x
Then, the favourable outcomes are (2,3), (2,6), (4,3), 10 = x
x 5 x 5
(4,6), (6,3), (6,6). x =10
Number of favourable outcomes = 6 Hence, required number of blue balls = 10.
Here, required probability = P (getting an even 8. A box contains 5 red marbles, 8 white marbles and
number on the first die and a multiple of 3 on the 4 green marbles one marble is taken out of the
6 1 box at random. What is the probability that the
other) = P(A3) = marble taken out will be
36 6
(i) red (ii) white (iii) not green?

14
 Mathematics
Sol. Total number of marbles in the box = 5 + 8 + 4 = 17. Number of favourable outcomes = 9 .
Let A1 = event of getting a red marble, Hence, required probability = P(getting an even number)
9
A2 = event of getting a white marble = P(A2) = .
19
and A3 = event of getting a green marble.
(iii) Let A3 = event of getting a number divisible by 3
(i) There are 5 red marbles in the box. or 5.

Hence, required probability = P(A1) Then, the favourable outcomes are 3, 5, 6, 9, 10,
12, 15, 18.
5
= P (getting a red marble) = Number of favourable outcomes = 8 .
17
Hence, required probability = P(getting a number
(ii) There are 8 white marbles in the box.
8
divisible by 3 or 5) = P(A3) =
Hence, required probability = P(A2) 19

8 (iv) Let A4 = event of getting a number divisible by 5

= P (getting a white marble) = or 10.
17
Then, the favourable outcomes are 5, 10, 15.
(iii) There are 4 green marbles in the box.
Number of favourable outcomes = 3 .
4 P(getting a number divisible by 5 or 10)
P(A3) = P(getting a green marble) =
17
3
Hence, required probability = P (not getting a green = P(A4) =
19
marble)
Hence, required probability = P(getting a number
= 1 – P (getting a green marble) neither divisible by 5 nor by 10)
4 13 = 1 – P(getting a number either divisible by 5 or
= 1 – P(A3) = 1 – .
3 16
17 17
10) = 1 –
19 19
9. A box contains 19 balls bearing numbers 1, 2,
3,......,19 respectively. A ball is drawn at random 10. Seventeen cards numbered 1, 2, 3, 4,......,16, 17
from the box. Find the probability that the number are put in a box and mixed thoroughly. One person
on the ball is – draws a card from the box. Find the probability
that the number on the card is
(i) a prime number
(i) odd (ii) a prime (iii) divisible by 3
(ii) even number
(iv) divisible by 2 and 3 both
(iii) divisible by 3 or 5 Sol. There are seventeen cards in the box.
(iv) neither divisible by 5 nor by 10. number of all possible outcomes = 17.
Sol. Total number of balls in the box = 19 (i) Let A1 = event of getting an odd number.
Then, the favourable outcomes are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,
number of all possible outcomes = 19
11, 13, 15, 17.
(i) Let A1 = event of getting a prime number. Number of favourable outcomes = 9.
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

Then, the favourable outcomes are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, Hence, the required probability = P(getting an odd
13, 17, 19. 9
number) =P(A1) =
Number of favourable outcomes = 8 . 17
(ii) Let A2 = event of getting a prime number.
Hence, required probability
Then, the favourable outcomes are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11,
8 13, 17.
= P (getting a prime number) = P(A1) = .
19 Number of favourable outcomes = 7
(ii) Let A2 = event of getting an even number. Hence, the required probability = P(getting a prime
Then, the favourable outcomes are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 7
number) = P(A2) =
12, 14, 16, 18. 17

15
CBSE : Class X
(iii) Let A3 = event of getting a number divisible by 3. 12. A jar contains 24 marbles, some are green and
Then, the favourable outcomes are 3, 6, 9, 12, 15. others are blue. If a marble is drawn at random
from the jar, the probability that is green is 2/3.
Number of favourable outcomes = 5.
Find the number of blue marbles in the jar.
5 Sol. There are 24 marbles in a jar.
Hence, the required probability = P(A3) =
17 the total number of possible outcomes = 24.
(iv) Let A4 = event of getting a number divisible by 2 Let number of green marbles be x.
and 3 both. Let A1 = event of getting a green marble.
Then, the favourable outcomes are 6, 12. required probability = P(A1)
Number of favourable outcomes = 2. x
= P (getting a green marble) = .
2 24
Hence, required probability = P(A4) = But it is given that the probability of green marble
17
is 2/3
11. Find the probability that a number selected at
random from the numbers 1 to 25 not a prime 2 x 2 24
number when each of the given numbers is equally x= x = 16
3 24 3
likely to be selected. So, number of green marbles = 16.
Sol. The total given numbers = 25 Hence, number of blue marbles in jar
= 24 – 16 = 8.
Then, the favourable outcomes (prime numbers)
are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23. 13. What is the probability that an ordinary year has
53 sundays?
Number of favourable outcomes = 9 Sol. There are 365 days i.e., 52 weeks and 1 day in an
Let A = event of getting a non-prime number. ordinary year.
This 1 day can be anyone of the 7 days of the week.
number of non-prime number = 25 – 9 = 16
1
required probability P (this day is sunday) =
7
Also, 52 weeks have 52 sundays.
16
= P(getting a non-prime numbers) = P(A) = . Hence, required probability
25
1
= P(an ordinary year has 53 sundays) =
7

CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

16
 Mathematics

EXERCISE # 1
Multiple choice questions 12. The probability of getting a '10' of black suit is
An unbiased die is thrown (Q. No.1 to 5) 1 1 3
1. The probability of getting a prime number is (1) (2) (3) (4) None
26 13 26
1 1 1 2 13. The probability of getting a red and a king card is
(1) (2) (3) (4)
6 3 2 3
5 1 7
2. The probability of getting a multiple of 3 is (1) (2) (3) (4) None
26 13 26
1 1 3 4 Which one of the following cannot be the
(1) (2) (3) (4) probability of an event (Q. No. 14 to 15)
6 3 6 6
3. The probability of getting a number greater than 1 is 1 11 –2
14. (1) (2) (3) (4) 1
3 36 3
1 2 4 5
(1) (2) (3) (4)
6 6 6 6 2 13 5
15. (1) (2) 0 (3) (4)
4. The probability of getting a number between 1 and 7 29 2
6 is Choose the correct alternative for each of the
following (Q. No. 16 to 22)
1 2 3 2 16. Probability of an impossible event is equal to
(1) (2) (3) (4)
6 6 4 3
1
5. The probability of getting an odd number is (1) 1 (2) 0 (3) (4) None
2
1 2 4
(1) (2) (3) (4) None 1 1 1
6 6 6 17. If P(E1) = , P(E2) = , P(E3) = , where E1, E2,
6 3 6
Two unbiased coins are tossed simultaneously E3 and E4 are elementary events of a random
(Q. No. 6 to 9) experiment, then P(E4) is equal to
6. The probability of getting one head is
1 2 1
1 3 1 (1) (2) (3) (4) None
2 3 3
(1) (2) (3) (4) None
2 4 4 18. Cards each marked with one of the numbers 4, 5,
7. The probability of getting two heads is 6,...., 20 are placed in a box and mixed thoroughly.
One card is drawn at random from the box. Then,
1 1 3
(1) (2) (3) (4) None the probability of getting an even prime number is
2 4 4 (1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 1/2 (4) None
8. The probability of getting no head is 19. A bag contains 5 red and 4 black balls. A ball is
drawn at random from the bag. Then, the probability
1 3 1
(1) (2) (3) (4) None of getting a black ball is
4 4 2
9. The probability of getting at least one head is 4 4 1 1
(1) (2) (3) (4)
5 9 5 4
1 1 3 20. A bag contains 4 red balls and 3 green balls. A ball
(1) (2) (3) (4) None
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

2 4 4 is drawn at random. The probability of drawing a

One card is drawn from a pack of 52 cards green ball is
(Q. No. 10 to 13)
1 2 3 4
10. The probability of getting a jack card is (1) (2) (3) (4)
7 7 7 7
1 2 3 4
(1) (2) (3) (4) 2
13 13 13 13 21. If A be the event such that P(A) = , then P(not A)
5
11. The probability of getting a face card is
is equal to
1 2 3 4 3 4 1
(1) (2) (3) (4) (1) (2) (3) (4) None
13 13 13 13 5 5 5

17
CBSE : Class X
24. Two friends where born in the year 2000. What is the
22. P(E) + P( E ) is equal to
probability that they have the same birthday ?
1
(1) 0 (2) (3) 1 (4) None 1 1 2 1
2 (1) (2) (3) (4)
365 366 365 183
23. There are 25 tickets numbered as 1, 2, 3, 4, ....,
25 respectively. One ticket is drawn at random. 25. What is the probability that two friends have different
What is thhe probability that the number on the birthdays in an ordinary year ?
ticket is a multiple of 3 or 5 ? 1 2 364 363
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2 11 12 13 365 365 365 365
(1) (2) (3) (4)
5 25 25 25

Crossword puzzle

9
7
6
4 3

2
1

Across Down
1. Measure of degree of certainity of occurrence of 2. Drawing a card from a deck of well-shuffled cards.
event. 4. Probability of an impossible event.
3. Getting a 6 in a throw of a die. 6. Number of face cards.
5. The plural of die. 7. Colour of heart and diamond cards.
8. Probability of getting an even number when a die is 9. What is the probability of getting a sure event ?
thrown.
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

EXERCISE # 1 ANSWER KEY

Multiple choice questions
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Ans. 3 2 4 4 4 1 2 1 3 1 3 1 4 3 4 2 3 1 2 3 1 3 3 2 3
Crossword Puzzle
(1) Probability (2) Trial (3) Event (4) Zero (5) Dice
(6) Twelve (7) Red (8) Half (9) One

18
 Mathematics

EXERCISE # 2
1. Find the probability of getting a tail when a coin 7. Match the following :
is tossed once. A black die and a white die are thrown at the same
2. (i) Two unbiased coins are tossed simultaneously. time.
1
Find the probability of getting (i) The probability of getting (a)
6
(a) exactly one head (b) exactly one tail a total of 9.
5
(c) two tails (d) at least one tail (ii) The probability of getting (b)
36
(e) atmost one tail (f) no tail. a total of 10.
1
(ii) Harpreet tosses two different coins simultaneously. (iii) The probability of getting (c)
12
What is the probability that she gets at least one a total of more than 9.
1
head? (iv) The probability of getting (d)
9
the sum of the two
3. Three unbiased coins are tossed together. Find the
numbers is 8.
probability of getting
8. A die is thrown twice. What is the probability that
(a) (i) one tail (ii) two tails (iii) all tails
(i) 3 will not come up either time?
(iv) at least two tails
(ii) 6 will come up at least once?
(b) (i) at most two tails (ii) at most two heads.
9. A pair of dice is thrown simultaneously. Find the
4. Which of the following experiments have not equally
probability of getting
likely outcomes? Explain.
(i) a multiple of 3 on both dice
(i) Kushagra appears in an interview. He is se- (ii) sum of the numbers on two dice is always less
lected or not selected. than 7.
(ii) A die is thrown. It turns to be an even or an (iii) an odd number on the first die and a prime
odd number. number on the other.
5. (i) A die is thrown once. Find the probability of 10. Two dice, one blue and green are thrown at the
getting same time. What is the probability that sum of the
(a) a multiple of 2 two numbers appearing on the top of the dice is
(b) a number lying between 1 and 5 (i) 9 (ii) greater than 10
(c) an odd number. (iii) less than or equal to 11
(ii) A child has a die whose six faces show the letters 11. (i) The probability that it will rain tomorrow is 0.85.
as given below What is the probability that it will not rain
tomorrow?
A B B D E A (ii) If the probability of winning a game is 0.6, what
The die is thrown once. What is the probability of is the probability of losing it?
getting (a) B (b) E? 12. One card is drawn from a well-shuffled deck of 52
6. A die is numbered in such a way that its faces show cards. Find the probability of getting
the numbers 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 6. It is thrown two times (i) (a) a king of red colour (b) a face card
and the total score in two throws is noted. Com- (c) a red face card (d) a jack of hearts
plete the following table which gives a few values (ii) (a) a spade
of the total score on the two throws.
(b) the queen of diamonds
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

(c) neither a red card nor a queen.

Number in first throw (iii) (a) a non-face card
Number in second throw

+ 1 2 2 3 3 6 (b) a black king or a red queen

1 2 3 3 4 4 7 13. (i) From a pack of 52 playing cards jacks, queens,
2 3 4 4 5 5 8 kings and aces of red colour are removed. From
2 5 a remaining, a card is drawn at random. Find
3 the probability that the card drawn is
3 5 9 (a) a black queen (b) a red card (c) a ten
6 7 8 8 9 9 12 (d) a picture card [jacks, queens and kings are
picture cards]

19
CBSE : Class X
(ii) All cards of ace, jack and queen are removed 17. (i) A box contains 3 blue, 2 white and 4 red
from a deck of playing cards. One card is drawn marbles. If a marble is drawn at random from
at random from the remaining cards. Find the the box. What is the probability that it will be
probability that the card drawn is (a) white (b) blue (c) red?
(a) a face card
(ii) A bag contains 5 red, 8 green and 7 white balls.
(b) not a face card
One ball is drawn at random from the bag, find
14. Five cards - the ten, jack, queen, king and ace of
the probability of getting
diamonds are well-shuffled with their face down-
wards. One card is then picked up at random. (a) a white ball or a green ball
(i) What is the probability that the card is jack? (b) neither a green ball nor a red ball
(ii) If the king is drawn and put aside, what is the 18. (i) A box contains 20 balls bearing numbers 1,
probability that the second card picked up is 2, 3,....., 20 respectively. A ball is drawn at
(a) a queen (b) a ten? random from the box what is the probability
15. (i) A bag contains 7 red, 5 white and 3 black balls. that the number on the ball is
A ball is drawn at random from the bag. Find
(a) an odd number (b) divisible by 2 or 3
the probability that the drawn ball is
(c) a prime number (d) not divisible by 10
(a) red or white (b) not black
(c) neither white nor black (ii) Find the probability that a number selected at
(ii) (a) A bag contains 5 white balls, 7 red balls, random from the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,.....,
4 black balls and 2 blue balls. One ball is 34, 35 is a
drawn at random from the bag. What is the (a) prime number
probability that the ball drawn is (b) multiple of 7
(1)white or blue (2) red or black
(c) multiple of 3 or 5
(3) not white (4) neither white nor black
(iii) Cards bearing numbers 3 to 19 are put in a
(b) A bag contains 6 red balls, 8 white balls,
5 green balls and 3 black balls. One ball is box and mixed thoroughly. A card is drawn from
drawn at random from the bag. Find the the box at random. Find the probability that
probability that the ball drawn is the number on the card drawn is
(1) white (a) even
(2) red or black (b) a prime
(3) not green (c) divisible by 2 and 3 both.
(4) neither white nor black
19. Fifteen cards numbered 1, 2, 3, 4,.....,14, 15 are
(c) A bag contains a red ball, a blue ball and
put in a box and mixed thoroughly. A man draws
a yellow ball, all the balls being of the same
a card at random from the box. Find the probabil-
size. Kritika takes out a ball from the bag
ity that the number on the card is
without looking into it. What is the probabil-
ity that she takes out the (i) an odd number (ii) a multiple of 4
(1) yellow ball (2) red ball (3) blue ball? (iii) divisible by 5 (iv) divisible by 2 and 3
(d) A box contains 7 red balls, 8 green balls and (v) less than or equal to 10.
5 white balls. A ball is drawn at random from 20. There are 30 cards numbered from 1 to 30. One
the box. Find the probability the ball drawn is card is drawn at random. Find the probability that
(1) white (2) neither red nor white. the number of the selected card is not divisible
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

(iii) Poonam buys a fish from a shop for her by 3.

aquarium. The shopkeeper takes out one fish
at random from a tank containing 5 male fish 21. A box contains 50 discs which are numbered from
and 8 female fish. What is the probability that 1 to 50. If one disc is drawn at random from the
the fish taken out is a male fish? box, find the probability that it bears
16. A box contains 12 balls out of which x are black.
(i) a two digit number less than 30
If one ball is drawn at random from the box, what
is the probability that it will be a black ball? (ii) a prime number
If 6 more black balls are put in the box, the
(iii) a number divisible by 3
probability of drawing a black ball is now doubled
of what it was before, find x. 22. What is the probability that a non leap year has
exactly 52 sundays?

20
 Mathematics
23. A carton consists of 100 shirts of which 88 are good, 28. A purse contains 10 five hundred rupee note, 20
8 have minor defects and 4 have major defects.
hundred rupee notes, 30 fifty rupee note and 40
Jimmy, a trader, will only accept the shirts which
are good, but Sujata, another trader, will only reject ten rupee note. If it is likely that one of the notes
the shirts which have major defects. One shirt is will fall out when the purse turns upside. What is
drawn at random from the carton. What is the
the probability that the note
probability that
(i) it is acceptable to Jimmy? (i) will be a fifty rupee note
(ii) it is acceptable to Sujata?
24. It is given that in a group of 3 students, the prob- (ii) will not be a five hundred rupee note.
ability of 2 students not having the same birthday
is 0.992. What is the probability that the 2 stu- 29. In a musical chair game, the person playing the
dents have the same birthday? music has been advised to stop playing the music
25. The probability of selecting a green marble at at any time within three minutes after she starts
random from a jar that contains only green, white
playing. What is the probability that the music will
1
and yellow marbles is . The probability of se- stop within the first half minute after starting?
4
lecting a white marble at random from the same 30. There are 44 students in class X of a school of
1 whom 32 are boys and 12 are girls. The class
jar is . If this jar contains 10 yellow marbles, what
3 teacher has to select one student as a class rep-
is the total number of marbles in the jar. resentative. He writes the name of each student
26. What is the probability that a leap year has 53 on a separate card, the cards being identical. Then
sundays?
27. Suppose you drop a die at random on the he puts cards in a bag and stir them thoroughly.
rectangular region shown in figure. What is the He then draws one card from the bag. What is the
probability that it will land inside the circle with probability that the name written on the card is the
diameter 2 m?
name of

(i) a girl (ii) a boy?

2m

3m
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

21
CBSE : Class X
EXERCISE # 2 ANSWER KEY
1 1 1 1 3 3 1 3
1. 2. (i) (a) , (b) , (c) , (d) , (e) , (f) ; (ii)
2 2 2 4 4 4 4 4
3 3 1 1 7 7
3. (i) (a) , (b) , (c) , (d) ; (ii) (a) , (b)
8 8 8 2 8 8
4. (i), because selection depends on number of factors. (constraints)
1 1 1 1 1
5. (i) (a) , (b) , (c) ; (ii) (a) , (b)
2 2 2 3 6
6.

+ 1 2 2 3 3 6
1 2 3 3 4 4 7
2 3 4 4 5 5 8
2 3 4 4 5 5 8
3 4 5 5 6 6 9
3 4 5 5 6 6 9
6 7 8 8 9 9 12

25 11 1 5 1 1 1 35
7. (i)-(d), (ii)-(c), (iii)-(a), (iv)-(b) 8. (i) , (ii) 9. (i) , (ii) , (iii) 10. (i) , (ii) , (iii)
36 36 9 12 4 9 12 36

1 3 3 1 1 1 6 10 1
11. (i) 0.15, (ii) 0.4 12. (i) (a) , (b) , (c) , (d) ; (ii) (a) , (b) , (c) ; (iii) (a) , (b)
26 13 26 52 4 52 13 13 13

1 9 1 3 1 9 1 1 1
13. (i) (a) , (b) , (c) , (d) ; (ii) (a) , (b) 14. (i) , (ii) (a) , (b)
22 22 11 22 10 10 5 4 4

4 4 7 7 11 13 1 4 9 17 1
15. (i) (a) , (b) , (c) ; (ii) (a) (1) , (2) , (3) , (4) ; (b) (1) , (2) , (3) , (4) ;
5 5 15 18 18 18 2 11 22 22 2

1 1 1 1 2 5
(c) (1) , (2) , (3) ; (d) (1) , (2) , (iii)
3 3 3 4 5 13

x 2 1 4 3 7
16. , x 3 17. (i) (a) , (b) , (c) ; (ii) (a) , (b)
12 9 3 9 4 20

1 13 2 9 11 1 16 8 7 3
18. (i) (a) , (b) , (c) , (d) ; (ii) (a) , (b) , (c) ; (iii) (a) , (b) , (c)
2 20 5 10 35 7 35 17 17 17

8 1 1 2 2
19. (i) , (ii) , (iii) , (iv) , (v)
15 5 5 15 3
CBSE-2021\Module\ADC_IHL\10th\Mathematics\07 Probability\Exe.

2
20.
3

2 3 8 6
21. (i) , (ii) , (iii) 22.
5 10 25 7
23. (i) 0.88, (ii) 0.96 24. (i) 0.008
2
25. 24 26.
7
3 9 1 3 8
27. 28. (i) , (ii) 29. 30. (i) , (ii)
6 10 10 6 11 11

22