Probability
Quantitative Aptitude
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Probability
QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE
Probability means the chances of occurring of an event. Mathematically, probability of
happening an event is equal to the ratio of number of favorable outcomes to number of
possible outcomes.
For example, if the probability of any particular event is 1/4, then it indicates that there is 25%
chance that an event will occur and 75% chance that an event will not occur.
Important Terms
Experiment: An action where the result is uncertain. Some examples of experiments are
throwing dice, tossing a coin, selecting a card from playing cards, etc.
Sample space: A sample space of an experiment is the set of all possible outcomes of that
experiment. For example, if we throw a dice then the sample space will be {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.
Number of sample spaces of tossing n coins = 2n
Number of sample spaces of tossing n dices = 6n
Favorable outcome: The outcome in which we are interested is known as a favorable
outcome.
Event
The single result of an experiment is called an event. For example, getting a head is an event
related to tossing of a coin.
Union of Events
It occurs if the event A occurs or the event B occurs i.e., it consists of all the outcomes that are
either in A or in B or in both events. It is denoted by .
Intersection of Events
It occurs if the event A occurs and the event B occurs i.e., it consists of all the outcomes that
are both in A and B. It is denoted by .
SUBJECT | Quantitative Aptitude 1 of 5
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Equally Likely Event
Each outcome of the random experiment has an equal chance of occurring. For example, if we
toss a coin then head and tail will be equally likely events.
Mutually Exclusive Event
Two events E1 and E2 are called mutually exclusive events if the probability of happening of
both events simultaneously is zero. .
Mutually Exhaustive Event
Two events E1 and E2 are called mutually exhaustive events if the probability of happening of
either event is equal to 1.
Independent Event
Two events E1 and E2 are called independent events if occurrence of either event does not
affect the other event. For example, getting head on tossing a coin is an independent event.
Rule #1: Additional Rule of Probability
When two events E1 and E2 are mutually exclusive, then the probability of happening of E1 or
E2 is equal to the sum of the probability of each event.
But, when two events E1 and E2 are non-mutually exclusive, then the probability of happening
of E1 or E2 is:
Rule #2: Multiplication Rule of Probability
When two events E1 and E2 are mutually exclusive, then the probability of happening of E1 and
E2 is equal to the multiplication of the probability of each event.
SUBJECT | Quantitative Aptitude 2 of 5
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Conditional Probability
The conditional probability of an event E2 in relation to an event E1 is the probability that the
event E2 occurs given that event E1 has already occurred. It is denoted by .
Binomial Probability Theorem
A binomial is a type of distribution that has only two possible outcomes i.e., success or failure.
For example, if a coin is tossed, then possible outcome is either head or tail.
By Binomial Probability Theorem:
Where, n = Total events, r = Required number of events, p = Probability of success, q =
Probability of failure.
Points to Remember
There are total 52 cards in the deck of playing cards.
There are 26 red and 26 black cards.
There are 4 suits - clubs (♣), diamonds (♦), hearts (♥), and spades (♠).
There are 13 cards in each suit. Each suit contains Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen,
and King.
There are 12 face cards – 4 kings, 4 queens, and 4 jacks in each suit.
Examples:
Q: There are 6 red and 4 blue marbles in a bag. Find the probability of picking a blue marble.
A: Number of favorable events = Picking of blue marbles = 4
Number of total events = 6 + 4 = 10
∴ Probability of picking a blue marble = .
Q: A coin is tossed and a 6-sided die is rolled. Find the probability of getting a tail on the coin
and getting a 6 on the die.
SUBJECT | Quantitative Aptitude 3 of 5
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A: Probability of getting tail on the coin (E1) =
Probability of getting a 6 on the die (E2) =
∴ .
Q: From a pack of 52 cards, a card is drawn at random. Find the probability that it is either a
diamond or a king.
A: Probability of getting a king, P(E1) =
Probability of getting a diamond, P(E2) =
Probability of getting a king and a diamond, P(E1 ∩ E2) =
∴ Probability of getting a king or a diamond = P(E1) + P(E2) – P(E1 ∩ E2)
= .
Q: Four persons can hit a target correctly with probabilities , , , and respectively. If all
hit at the target independently, then the probability that the target would be hit is:
A: P (at least one hit the target) = 1 – P (none of them hit the target)
= 1 – \{(1 – )(1 – )(1 – )(1 – )\}
= 1 – \{( )( )( )( )\}
=1– .
Q: If a fair coin is tossed 7 times. What is the probability that exactly 4 coins are heads and 3
coins are tails?
A: By Binomial Probability Theorem, P =
Here, n = 7, r = 4, p = and q =
∴P= .
Alternate method:
Probability of getting HHHHTTT =
Number of ways in which 4 heads and 3 tails can be arranged = 7!
Number of repetition of heads = 4 and of tails = 3.
Hence, required probability, P = .
SUBJECT | Quantitative Aptitude 4 of 5
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SUBJECT | Quantitative Aptitude 5 of 5