31 Probability

IMPORTANT FACTS AND FORMULAE

Experiment: An operation which can produce some well-defined outcomes is called an experiment.
I.
Random Experiment: An experiment in which all possible outcomes are known and the exact output cannot
II.
be predicted in advance, is called a random experiment.
Examples of Performing a Random Experiment:
(i) Rolling an unbiased dice
(ii) Tossing a fair coin
(iii) Drawing a card from a pack of well-shuffled cards
(iv) Picking up a ball of certain colour from a bag containing balls of different colours
Details :
(i) When we throw a coin, then either a Head (H) or a Tail (T) appears.
(ii) A dice is a solid cube, having 6 faces, marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 respectively.
When we throw a die, the outcome is the number that appears on its upper face.
(iii) A pack of cards has 52 cards.
It has 13 cards of each suit, namely Spades, Clubs, Hearts and Diamonds.
Cards of spades and clubs are black cards.
Cards of hearts and diamonds are red cards.
There are 4 honours of each suit.
These are Aces, Kings, Queens and Jacks.
These are called face cards.
III. Sample Space: When we perform an experiment, then the set S of all possible outcomes is called the Sample
Space.
Examples of Sample Spaces:
(i) In tossing a coin, S = {H, T}.
(ii) If two coins are tossed, then S = {HH, HT, TH, TT}.
(iii) In rolling a dice, we have, S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.
IV. Event : Any subset of a sample space is called an event.
V. Probability of Occurrence of an Event:
Let S be the sample space and let E be an event. Then, E ⊆ S.
n (E )
∴ P (E) = .
n (S)
VI. Results on Probability:
(i) P (S) = 1 (ii) 0 ≤ P (E) ≤ 1 (iii) P (φ) = 0
(iv) For any events A and B, we have :
P (A ∪ B) = P (A) + P (B) – P (A ∩ B)
(v) If A denotes (not-A), then P (A) = 1 – P (A).

SOLVED EXAMPLES
Ex. 1. In a throw of a coin, find the probability of getting a head.
Sol. Here S = {H, T} and E = {H}.
n (E) 1
∴ P (E) =
= .
n (S) 2

850
PROBABILITY 851

Ex. 2. Two unbiased coins are tossed. What is the probability of getting at most one head ?
Sol. Here S = {HH, HT, TH, TT}.
Let E = event of getting at most one head.
∴ E = {TT, HT, TH}.
n (E) 3
∴ P (E) = = .
n (S) 4
Ex. 3. An unbiased die is tossed. Find the probability of getting a multiple of 3.
Sol. Here S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.
Let E be the event of getting a multiple of 3.
Then, E = {3, 6}.
n (E ) 2 1
∴ P (E) = = = .
n (S) 6 3
Ex. 4. In a simultaneous throw of a pair of dice, find the probability of getting a total more than 7.
Sol. Here, n (S) = (6 × 6) = 36.
Let E = Event of getting a total more than 7
= {(2, 6), (3, 5), (3, 6), (4, 4), (4, 5), (4, 6), (5, 3), (5, 4), (5, 5), (5, 6), (6, 2), (6, 3), (6, 4), (6, 5), (6, 6)}.
n (E) 15 5
∴ P (E) = = = .
n (S) 36 12
Ex. 5. A bag contains 6 white and 4 black balls. Two balls are drawn at random. Find the probability that they
are of the same colour.
Sol. Let S be the sample space. Then,
10 (10 × 9)
n (s) = Number of ways of drawing 2 balls out of (6 + 4) = C2 = = 45.
(2 × 1)
Let E = Event of getting both balls of the same colour. Then,
n (E) = Number of ways of drawing (2 balls out of 6) or (2 balls out of 4)
6 4 (6 × 5) (4 × 3)
= ( C2 + C2 ) = + = (15 + 6) = 21.
(2 × 1) (2 × 1)
n (E) 21 7
∴ P (E) = = = .
n (S) 45 15
Ex. 6. Two dice are thrown together. What is the probability that the sum of the numbers on the two faces is
divisible by 4 or 6 ?
Sol. Clearly, n (S) = 6 × 6 = 36.
Let E be the event that the sum of the numbers on the two faces is divisible by 4 or 6. Then
E = {(1, 3), (1, 5), (2, 2), (2, 4), (2, 6), (3, 1), (3, 3), (3, 5), (4, 2), (4, 4), (5, 1), (5,  3), (6, 2), (6, 6)}
∴ n (E) = 14.
n (E) 14 7
Hence, P (E) = = = .
n (S) 36 18
Ex. 7. Two cards are drawn at random from a pack of 52 cards. What is the probability that either both are black
or both are queens ?
52 (52 × 51)
Sol. We have n(s) = C2 = = 1326.
(2 × 1)
Let A = event of getting both black cards;
B = event of getting both queens.
∴ A ∩ B = event of getting queens of black cards.
26 (26 × 25) (4 × 3)
∴ n(A) = C2 = = 325, n (B) = 4 C2 = = 6 and n ( A ∩ B) = 2 C2 = 1.
(2 × 1) (2 × 1)
n ( A) 325 n (B) 6 n ( A ∩ B) 1
∴ P (A) = = ; P (B) = = and P ( A ∩ B) = = .
n (S) 1326 n (S) 1326 n (S) 1326
 325 6 1  330 55
∴ P (A ∪ B) = P (A) + P (B) – P (A ∩ B) =  + − = = .
 1326 1326 1326  1326 221
852 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE

EXERCISE
(OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS)
Directions: Mark (3) against the correct answer: 1 1
1. In a simultaneous throw of two coins, the probability (a) (b)
4 6
of getting at least one head is
7 5
1 1 (c) (d)
(a) (b) 12 36
2 3
9. Two dice are thrown simultaneously. What is the
2 3 probability of getting two numbers whose product
(c) (d)
3 4 is even ?
2. Three unbiased coins are tossed. What is the 1 3
probability of getting at least 2 heads ? (a) (b)
2 4
1 1
(a) (b) 3 5
4 2 (c) (d)
8 16
1 1 10. Tickets numbered 1 to 20 are mixed up and then a
(c) (d)
3 8 ticket is drawn at random. What is the probability
3. Three unbiased coins are tossed. What is the that the ticket drawn bears a number which is a
probability of getting at most two heads ? multiple of 3 ?
3 1 3 3
(a) (b) (a) (b)
4 4 10 20
3 7 2 1
(c) (d) (c) (d)
8 8 5 2
4. In a single throw of a die, what is the probability 11. Tickets numbered 1 to 20 are mixed up and then a
of getting a number greater than 4 ? ticket is drawn at random. What is the probability
1 1 that the ticket drawn has a number which is a
(a) (b) multiple of 3 or 5 ?
2 3
2 1 1 2
(c) (d) (a) (b)
3 4 2 5
5. In a simultaneous throw of two dice, what is the 8 9
(c) (d)
probability of getting a total of 7 ? 15 20
1 1 12. In a lottery, there are 10 prizes and 25 blanks. A
(a) (b) lottery is drawn at random. What is the probability
6 4
of getting a prize ?
2 3
(c) (d) 1 2
3 4 (a) (b)
6. What is the probability of getting a sum 9 from two 10 5
throws of a dice ? 2 5
(c) (d)
1 1 7 7
(a) (b)
6 8 13. One card is drawn at random from a pack of 52
1 1 cards. What is the probability that the card drawn
(c) (d) is a face card ?
9 12
1 4
7. In a simultaneous throw of two dice, what is the (a) (b)
probability of getting a doublet ? 13 13
1 1 1 9
(a) (b) (c) (d)
6 4 4 52
2 3 14. A card is drawn from a pack of 52 cards. The
(c) (d) probability of getting a queen of club or a king of
3 7
heart is
8. In a simultaneous throw of two dice, what is the
1 2
probability of getting a total of 10 or 11 ? (a) (b)
13 13
PROBABILITY 853

1 1 1 3
(c) (d) (c) (d)
26 52 8 7
15. One card is drawn from a pack of 52 cards. What is (e) None of these
the probability that the card drawn is either a red 22. In a box, there are 8 red, 7 blue and 6 green balls. One
card or a king ? ball is picked up randomly. What is the probability
1 6 that it is neither red nor green ?
(a) (b)
2 13 2 3
(a) (b)
7 27 3 4
(c) (d)
13 52 7 8
(c) (d)
16. From a pack of 52 cards, one card is drawn at 19 21
random. What is the probability that the card drawn 9
is a ten or a spade ? (e)
21
4 1
(a) (b) 23. A box contains 4 red, 5 green and 6 white balls.
13 4 A ball is drawn at random from the box. What is
1 1 the probability that the ball drawn is either red or
(c) (d)
13 26 green ?
17. The probability that a card drawn from a pack of 2 3
52 cards will be a diamond or a king, is (a) (b)
5 5
2 4 1 7
(a) (b) (c) (d)
13 13 5 15
1 1 (e) None of these
(c) (d)
13 52 24. A basket contains 4 red, 5 blue and 3 green marbles.
18. From a pack of 52 cards, two cards are drawn to- If 2 marbles are drawn at random from the basket,
gether at random. What is the probability of both what is the probability that both are red?
the cards being kings ? (S.B.I. P.O.,  2010)
1 25 3 1
(a) (b) (a) (b)
15 57 7 2
35 1 1 1
(c) (d) (c) (d)
256 221 11 6
19. Two cards are drawn together from a pack of 52 (e) None of these
cards. The probability that one is a spade and one 25. An urn contains 6 red, 4 blue, 2 green and 3 yellow
is a heart, is marbles. If two marbles are drawn at random from
3 29 the urn, what is the probability that both are red?
(a) (b)
20 34 (S.B.I. P.O., 2010)
47 13 1 1
(c) (d) (a) (b)
100 102 6 7
20. Two cards are drawn from a pack of 52 cards. The 2 2
probability that either both are red or both are kings, (c) (d)
15 5
is
(e) None of these
7 3
(a) (b) 26. A basket contains 6 blue, 2 red, 4 green and 3 yellow
13 26 balls. If three balls are picked up at random, what is
63 55 the probability that none is yellow? (Bank P.O., 2009)
(c) (d)
221 221 3 1
(a) (b)
21. A bag contains 6 black and 8 white balls. One ball 455 5
is drawn at random. What is the probability that 4 44
the ball drawn is white ? (c) (d)
5 91
3 4
(a) (b) (e) None of these
4 7
854 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE

27. An urn contains 6 red, 4 blue, 2 green and 3 yellow 11 22

marbles. If three marbles are picked up at random, (c) (d)
15 91
what is the probability that 2 are blue and 1 is
yellow ? (S.B.I. P.O., 2010)
(e) None of these
3 1 33. A basket contains 6 blue, 2 red, 4 green and 3 yellow
(a) (b) balls. If 5 balls are picked up at random, what is the
91 5
probability that at least one is blue? (Bank P.O., 2009)
18 7 137 18
(c) (d) (a) (b)
455 15 143 455
(e) None of these 9 2
28. An urn contains 6 red, 4 blue, 2 green and 3 yellow (c) (d)
91 5
marbles. If four marbles are picked up at random,
what is the probability that 1 is green, 2 are blue (e) None of these
and 1 is red ? (S.B.I. P.O., 2011) 34. An urn contains 2 red, 3 green and 2 blue balls. If
13 24 2 balls are drawn at random, find the probability
(a) (b) that no ball is blue. (Railways, 2006)
35 455
5 10
11 1 (a) (b)
(c) (d) 7 21
15 13
2 11
(e) None of these (c) (d)
7 21
29. An urn contains 6 red, 4 blue, 2 green and 3 yellow
marbles. If two marbles are picked up at random, (e) None of these
what is the probability that either both are green or 35. A box contains 10 black and 10 white balls. What
both are yellow? (Bank P.O., 2010) is the probability of drawing 2 balls of the same
5 1 colour?
(a) (b) 9 9
91 35 (a) (b)
19 38
1 4
(c) (d) 10 5
3 105 (c) (d)
19 19
(e) None of these
30. A basket contains 6 blue, 2 red, 4 green and 3 yellow (e) None of these
balls. If four balls are picked up at random, what is 36. A box contains 20 electric bulbs, out of which 4
the probability that 2 are red and 2 are green ? are defective. Two balls are chosen at random from
(Bank P.O., 2009) this box. The probability that at least one of them
4 5 is defective, is
(a) (b) 4 7
15 27 (a) (b)
1 2 19 19
(c) (d) 12 21
3 455 (c) (d)
(e) None of these 19 95
31. A basket contains 4 red, 5 blue and 3 green marbles. (e) None of these
If three marbles are picked up at random what is 37. In a class, there are 15 boys and 10 girls. Three
the probability that at least one is blue? students are selected at random. The probability
(S.B.I. P.O., 2010) that the selected students are 2 boys and 1 girl, is:
7 37 21 25
(a) (b) (a) (b)
12 44 46 117
5 7 1 3
(c) (d) (c) (d)
12 44 50 25
(e) None of these (e) None of these
32. An urn contains 6 red, 4 blue, 2 green and 3 yellow 38. Four persons are chosen at random from a group
marbles. If 4 marbles are picked up at random, what of 3 men, 2 women and 4 children. The chance that
is the probability that at least one of them is blue? exactly 2 of them are children, is
(S.B.I. P.O., 2010) 1 1
4 69 (a) (b)
(a) (b) 9 5
15 91
PROBABILITY 855

1 10 (e) None of these

(c) (d) 45. A bag contains 3 blue, 2 green and 5 red balls. If
12 21
four balls are picked at random, what is the prob-
(e) None of these ability that two are green and two are blue?
39. Two dice are tossed. The probability that the total [DMRC—Customer Relationship Assistant (CRA) Exam, 2016]
score is a prime number is 1 1
1 1 (a) (b)
(a) (b) 18 70
6 2 3 1
5 7 (c) (d)
5 2
(c) (d)
12 9 46. Dev can hit a target 3 times in 6 shorts Pawan can
(e) None of these hit the target 2 times in 6 shorts and Lakhan can hit
40. In a class, 30% of the students offered English, 20% the target 4 times in 4 shorts. What is the probability
offered Hindi and 10% offered both. If a student is that at least 2 shorts hit the target
selected at random, what is the probability that he [DMRC—Customer Relationship Assistant (CRA) Exam, 2016]
has offered English or Hindi ? 2 1
(a) (b)
2 3 3 3
(a) (b)
5 5 1
(c) (d) None of these
3 3 2
(c) (d) 47. A bag contains 10 mangoes out of which 4 are taken
4 10
out together. If one of them is found to be good,
(e) None of these
the probability that other is also good is
41. A man and his wife appear in an interview for two [DMRC—Train Operator (Station Controller) Exam, 2016]
vacancies in the same post. The probability of 1 8
1 (a) (b)
husband’s selection is and the probability of 3 15
7 5 2
1 (c) (d)
wife’s selection is . What is the probability that 18 3
5
only one of them is selected ? 48. A bag contains 4 red, 5 yellow and 6 pink balls. Two
4 2 balls are drawn at random. What is the probability
(a) (b) that none of the balls drawn are yellow in colour?
5 7
[IBPS—Bank PO/MT (Pre.) Exam, 2015]
4 8
(c) (d) 1 3
7 15 (a) (b)
7 7
(e) None of these 2 5 9
42. A speaks truth in 75% cases and B in 80% of the (c) (d) (e)
7 14 14
cases. In what percentage of cases are they likely
49. A bag contains 6 red balls 11 yellow balls and
to contradict each other, in narrating the same
5 pink balls. If two balls are drawn at random from
incident?
the bag. One after another what is the probability
(a) 5% (b) 15%
that the first ball is red and second ball is yellow.
(c) 35% (d) 45% [IBPS—Bank PO (Pre.) Exam, 2015]
(e) None of these 1 2
43. A speaks truth in 60% cases and B speaks truth in (a) (b)
14 7
70% cases. The probability that they will say the 5 3
same thing while describing a single event, is (c) (d)
(Railways, 2006)
7 14
(a) 0.54 (b) 0.56 (e) None of these
(c) 0.68 (d) 0.94 50. A bag contains 4 red balls, 6 blue balls and 8 pink
(e) None of these balls. One ball is drawn at random and replace with
44. A committee of 3 members is to be selected out of 3 pink balls. A probability that the first ball drawn
3 men and 2 women. What is the probability that was either red or blue in colour and the second ball
the committee has at least 1 woman? (Bank P.O. ,2008) drawn was pink in colour?
1 9 [CET—(Maharashtra (MBA) Exam, 2016]
(a) (b) (a) 12/21 (b) 13/17
10 20
(c) 11/30 (d) 13/18
1 9
(c) (d) (e) None of these
20 10
856 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE

ANSWERS
1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (a) 6. (c) 7. (a) 8. (d) 9. (b) 10. (a)
11. (d) 12. (c) 13. (b) 14. (c) 15. (c) 16. (a) 17. (b) 18. (d) 19. (d) 20. (d)
21. (b) 22. (d) 23. (b) 24. (c) 25. (b) 26. (d) 27. (c) 28. (b) 29. (d) 30. (d)
31. (b) 32. (b) 33. (a) 34. (b) 35. (a) 36. (b) 37. (a) 38. (d) 39. (c) 40. (a)
41. (b) 42. (c) 43. (a) 44. (d) 45. (b) 46. (a) 47. (a) 48. (b) 49. (b) 50. (e)

SOLUTIONS
1. Here S = {HH, HT, TH, TT}. n (E) 5
∴ P (E) =
= .
Let E = event of getting at least one head = {HT, TH, n (S) 36
HH}.
9. In a simultaneous throw of two dice, we have n (S) =
n (E) 3
∴ P (E) = = . (6 × 6) = 36.
n (S) 4
Let E = event of getting two numbers whose product is
2. Here S = {TTT, TTH, THT, HTT, THH, HTH, HHT, HHH}. even.
Let E = event of getting at least two heads = {THH, HTH, Then, E = {(1, 2), (1, 4), (1, 6), (2, 1), (2, 2), (2, 3),
HHT, HHH}. (2, 4), (2, 5), (2, 6), (3, 2), (3, 4), (3, 6), (4, 1), (4, 2),
n (E) 4 1 (4, 3), (4, 4), (4, 5), (4, 6), (5, 2), (5, 4), (5, 6), (6, 1),
∴ P (E) = = = . (6, 2), (6, 3), (6, 4), (6, 5), (6, 6)}.
n (S) 8 2
∴ n (E) = 27.
3. Here S = {TTT, TTH, THT, HTT, THH, HTH, HHT, HHH}.
n (E) 27 3
Let E = event of getting at most two heads. ∴ P (E) = = = .
n (S) 36 4
Then, E = {TTT, TTH, THT, HTT, THH, HTH, HHT}.
n (E) 7 10. Here, S = {1, 2, 3, 4, ....., 19, 20}.
∴ P (E) = = . Let E = event of getting a multiple of 3 = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18}.
n (S) 8
n (E) 6 3
4. When a die is thrown, we have S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}. ∴ P (E) = = = .
n (S) 20 10
Let E = event of getting a number greater than 4 = {5, 6}.
n (E) 2 1 11. Here, S = {1, 2, 3, 4, ......, 19, 20}.
∴ P (E) = = = . Let E = event of getting a multiple of 3 or 5 = {3, 6, 9, 12,
n (S) 6 3
15, 18, 5, 10, 20}.
5. We know that in a simultaneous throw of two dice, n (S) n (E) 9
= 6 × 6 = 36. ∴ P (E) = = .
n (S) 20
Let E = event of getting a total of 7
= {(1, 6), (2, 5), (3, 4), (4, 3), (5, 2), (6, 1)}. 10 10 2
12. P (getting a prize) = = = .
n (E) 6 1 (10 + 25) 35 7
∴ P (E) = = = .
n (S) 36 6 13. Clearly, there are 52 cards, out of which there are 16 face
cards.
6. In two throws of a die, n (S) = (6 × 6) = 36.
16 4
Let E = event of getting a sum 9 ∴ P (getting a face card) = = .
52 13
= {(3, 6), (4, 5), (5, 4), (6, 3)}.
14. Here, n (S) = 52.
n (E) 4 1
∴ P (E) = = = . Let E = event of getting a queen of club or a king of heart.
n (S) 36 9
Then, n (E) = 2.
7. In a simultaneous throw of two dice, n (S) = (6 × 6) = 36. n (E) 2 1
Let E = event of getting a doublet ∴ P (E) = = = .
n (S) 52 26
= {(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (4, 4), (5, 5), (6, 6)}.
15. Here, n (S) = 52.
n (E) 6 1
∴ P (E) = = = . There are 26 red cards (including 2 kings) and there are
n (S) 36 6
2 more kings.
8. In a simultaneous throw of two dice, we have n (S) Let E = event of getting a red card or a king.
= (6 × 6) = 36. Then, n (E) = 28.
Let E = event of getting a total of 10 or 11 n (E) 28 7
= {(4, 6), (5, 5), (6, 4), (5, 6), (6, 5)}. ∴ P (E) = = = .
n (S) 52 13
PROBABILITY 857

16. Here, n (S) = 52. 22. Total number of balls = (8 + 7 + 6) = 21.

There are 13 spades (including one ten) and there are 3 Let E = Event that the ball drawn is neither red nor green
more tens. = Event that the ball drawn is red.
Let E = event of getting a ten or a spade. ∴ n(E) = 8.
8
Then, n (E) = (13 + 3) = 16. ∴ P (E) = .
21
n (E) 16 4
∴ P (E) = = = . 23. Total number of balls = (4 + 5 + 6) = 15.
n (S) 52 13 P(drawing a red ball or a green ball) = P(red) + P(green)
17. Here, n (S) = 52.  4 5 9 3
=  + = = .
There are 13 cards of diamond (including one king) and  15 15  15 5
there are 3 more kings. 24. Total number of balls = (4 + 5 + 3) = 12.
Let E = event of getting a diamond or a king. Let E be the event of drawing 2 red balls.
Then, n (E) = (13 + 3) = 16. 4 4×3
Then, n(E) = C2 = = 6.
n (E) 16 4 2×1
∴ P (E) = = = .
n (S) 52 13 12 × 11
12
Also, n(S) = C2 = = 66.
18. Let S be the sample space. 2×1
52 (52 × 51) n(E) 6 1
Then, n (S) = C2 = = 1326. ∴ P (E) =
= = .
(2 × 1) n(S) 66 11
Let E = event of getting 2 kings out of 4. 25. Total number of balls = (6 + 4 + 2 + 3) = 15.
4 (4 × 3) Let E be the event of drawing 2 red balls.
∴ n (E) = C2 = = 6. 6×5
(2 × 1) 6
Then, n(E) = C2 = = 15.
2×1
n (E) 6 1
∴ P (E) =
= = . 15 × 14
n (S) 1326 221 Also, n(S) =
15
C2 = = 105.
2×1
19. Let S be the sample space.
(52 × 51) n(E) 15 1
52
Then, n (S) = C2 = = 1326. ∴ P(E) =
= = .
(2 × 1) n(S) 105 7

Let E = event of getting 1 spade and 1 heart. 26. Total number of balls = (6 + 2 + 4 + 3) = 15.
Let E be the event of drawing 3 non-yellow balls.
∴ n (E) = number of ways of choosing 1 spade out of
12 12 × 11 × 10
13 and 1 heart out of 13 Then, n(E) = C3 = = 220.
3×2×1
= (13C1 × 13C1) = (13 × 13) = 169.
n (E) 169 13 15 15 × 14 × 13
∴ P (E) = = = . Also, n(S) = C3 = = 455.
n (S) 1326 102 3×2×1

(52 × 51) n( E ) 220 44

20. Clearly, n (S) =
52
C2 = = 1326. ∴
P(E ) = = = .
2 n(S ) 455 91
Let E1 = event of getting both red cards, 27. Total number of marbles = (6 + 4 + 2 + 3) = 15.
E2 = event of getting both kings. Let E be the event of drawing 2 blue and 1 yellow marble.
Then, E1 ∩ E2 = event of getting 2 kings of red cards. 4 3 4×3
Then, n(E) = ( C2 × C1 ) = × 3 = 18.
(26 × 25) (4 × 3) 2×1
26
∴ n (E1) = C2 = = 325; n (E2 ) = 4C2 = = 6;
(2 × 1) (2 × 1) 15 15 × 14 × 13
Also, n(S) = C3 = = 455.
n (E1 ∩ E2) = 2C2 = 1 3×2×1
n (E1 ) 325 n (E2 ) 6 n(E) 18
∴ P (E1) =
= ; P (E2 ) = = ; ∴ P(E) =
= .
n (S) 1326 n (S) 1326 n(S) 455
1 28. Total number of marbles = (6 + 4 + 2 + 3) = 15.
P (E1 ∪ E2) =
Let E be the event of drawing 1 green, 2 blue and 1 red
1326
marble.
∴ P (both red or both kings) = P (E1 ∪ E2) = P (E1) +
2 4 6 4×3
P (E2) – P (E1 ∩ E2) Then, n(E) = ( C1 × C2 × C1 ) = 2 × × 6 = 72.
 325 6 1  330 55 2×1
=  + − = = .
 1326 1326 1326  1326 221 15 15 × 14 × 13 × 12
And, n(S) = C4 = = 1365.
21. Total number of balls = (6 + 8) = 14. 4×3×2×1
Number of white balls = 8. n(E) 72 24
8 4 ∴ P(E) =
= = .
P(drawing a white ball) = = . n(S) 1365 455
14 7
858 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE

29. Total number of marbles = (6 + 4 + 2 + 3) = 15.  6  137

Let E be the event of drawing 2 marbles such that either ∴ Required probability =  1 −
= .
 143  143
both are green or both are yellow.
Then, n(E) = (2C1 + 3C2) = (1 + 3C1) = (1 + 3) = 4. And, 34. Total number of balls = (2 + 3 + 2) = 7.
15 15 × 14 Let E be the event of drawing 2 non-blue balls.
n(S) = C2 = = 105.
2×1 5 5×4
Then, n(E) = C2 = = 10.
n(E) 4 2×1
∴ P(E) =
= .
n(S) 105 7 7×6
And, n(S) = C2 = = 21.
30. Total number of balls = (6 + 2 + 4 + 3) = 15. 2×1
Let E be the event of drawing 4 balls such that 2 are red n(E) 10
and 2 are green. ∴ P(E) =
= .
n(S) 21
2 4  4 × 3
Then, n(E) = ( C2 × C2 ) =  1 × = 6. 35. Total number of balls = (10 + 10) = 20.
 2 × 1 
Let E be the event of drawing 2 balls of the same colour.
15 15 × 14 × 13 × 12 n(E) = number of ways of drawing 2 black balls or 2 white

And, n(S) = C4 = = 1365.
4×3×2×1 balls
n(E) 6 2 10 10 10 10 × 9
∴ P(E) =
= = . n(E) = ( C2 + C2 ) = 2 × C2 = 2 × = 90.
n(S) 1365 455 2×1
31. Total number of marbles = (4 + 5 + 3) = 12. n(S) = number of ways of drawing 2 balls out of 20
Let E be the event of drawing 3 marbles such that none 20 20 × 19
= C2 = = 190.
is blue. 2×1
Then, n(E) = number of ways of drawing 3 marbles out
n(E) 90 9
7 7×6×5 ∴ P(E) =
= = .
of 7 = C3 = = 35. n(S) 190 19
3×2×1
16  16 × 15
12 × 11 × 10 C2 2 × 1  12
12 36. P(none is defective) = = × = .
And, n(S) = C3 =
3×2×1
= 220. 20
C2  2×1 20 × 19  19

n(E) 35 7  12  7
∴ P(E) =
= = . P(at least 1 is defective) =  1 −  = .
n(S) 220 44  19  19

 7  37 37. Let S be the sample space and let E be the event of select-
Required probability = 1 – P(E) =  1 −  = . ing 2 boys and 1 girl.
44 44
Then, n(S) = number of ways of selecting 3 students
32. Total number of marbles = (6 + 4 + 2 + 3) = 15.
25 25 × 24 × 23
Let E be the event of drawing 4 marbles such that none out of 25 = C3 = = 2300.
is blue. 3 × 2 ×1
Then, n(E) = number of ways of drawing 4 marbles out 15 10  15 × 14 
of 11 non-blue And, n(E) = ( C2 × C1 ) =  × 10 = 1050.
 2×1 
11 11 × 10 × 9 × 8
= C4 = = 330. n(E) 1050 21
4 × 3 × 2 ×1 ∴ P(E) =
= = .
n(S) 2300 46
15 15 × 14 × 13 × 12
And, n(S) = C4 = = 1365. 38. n(S) = number of ways of choosing 4 persons out of 9
4×3×2×1
9 9×8×7×6
n(E) 330 22 = C4 = = 126.
∴ P(E)
= P(E) = = = . 4×3×2×1
n(S) 1365 91
n(E) = Number of ways of choosing 2 children out of 4

 22  69 and 2 persons out of (3 + 2) persons
∴ Required probability =  1 −  = .

 91  91
4 5  4 × 3 5 × 4
n(E) = ( C2 × C2 ) =  × = 60.
 2 × 1 2 × 1 
33. Total number of balls = (6 + 2 + 4 + 3) = 15.
Let E be the event of drawing 5 balls out of 9 non-blue
balls n(E) 60 10
∴ P(E) =
= = .
9×8×7×6 n(S) 126 21
9 9 9
= C5 = C(9 − 5) = C4 = = 126. 39. Clearly, n(S) = (6 × 6) = 36.
4×3×2×1
Let E be the event that the sum is a prime number. Then,
15 15 × 14 × 13 × 12 × 11
And, n(S) = C5 = = 3003. n(E) = {(1, 1), (1, 2), (1, 4), (1, 6), (2, 1), (2, 3), (2, 5), (3, 2),

5×4×3×2×1
(3, 4), (4, 1), (4, 3), (5, 2), (5, 6), (6,  1), (6, 5)}
n(E) 126 6
∴
P(E) = = = . ∴ n(E) = 15.

n(S) 3003 143
PROBABILITY 859

n(E) 15 5 44. Total number of persons = (3 + 2) = 5.

∴ P (E) =
= = . 5×4
n(S) 36 12
5 5
∴ n(S) = C3 = C2 = = 10.
2×1
30 3 20 1 10 1
40. P(E) = = , P( H ) = = and P(E ∩ H ) = = .
100 10 100 5 100 10 Let E be the event of selecting 3 members having at least
P(E or H) = P(E ∪ H)
1 woman
Then, n(E) = n[(1 woman and 2 men) or (2 women and
 3 1 1 4 2
= P( E ) + P( H ) − P ( E ∩ H ) =  + −  = = . 1 man)]
 10 5 10  10 5 = n(1 woman and 2 men) + n(2 women and 1 man)
41. Let E1 = Event that the husband is selected = (2C1 × 3C1) + (2C2 × 3C1) = (2C1 × 3C1) + (1 × 3C1)
and E2 = Event that the wife is selected. Then, = (2 × 3) + (1 × 3) = (6 + 3) = 9.
n(E) 9
1 1 ∴ P(E) = = .
P(E1) = and P(E2 ) = . n(S) 10
7 5
45. Number of blue balls = 3 balls
 1 6  1 4
∴
P(E1 ) =  1 −  = and P(E2 ) =  1 −  = . Number of green balls = 2 balls
 7 7  5 5
Number of red balls = 5 balls
∴ Required probability = P[(A and not B) or (B and not A)]
Total balls in the bag = 3 + 2 + 5 = 10
= P (E1 ∩ E2 ) or (E2 ∩ E1 ) Total possible outcomes = Selection of 4 balls out of 10
10 10! 10 × 9 × 8 × 7
= P (E1 ∩ E2 ) + P(E2 ∩ E1 ) balls = C 4 = = = 210
4!× ( 10 − 4 ) ! 1 × 2 × 3 × 4
 1 4   1 6  10 2 Favorable outcomes = (selection of 2 green balls out of 2
= P(E1 ) . P(E2 ) + P(E2 ) . P(E1 ) =  ×  +  ×  = = .
 7 5   5 7  35 7 balls) × (selection of 2 balls out of 3 blue balls)
42. Let E1 = Event that A speaks the truth = 2 C ×3 C2
2
and E2 = Event that B speaks the truth. Then, = 1 × 3 = 3
75 3 80 4  3 Favorable out comes
P(E1) =
= , P(E2 ) = = , P(E1 ) =  1 −  ∴ Required probability =

100 4 100 5  4 Total possible outcomes
1  4 1 3 1
= , P(E2 ) =  1 −  = . = =
4  5 5 210 70
P(A and B contradict each other)
46. Probability of hitting the target:
3 1 4
= P[(A speaks the truth and B tells a lie) or (A tells a lie Dev can hit target ⇒ = , Lakhan can hit target = = 1
and B speaks the truth)] 6 2 4
2 1
= P (E1 ∩ E2 ) or (E1 ∩ E2 ) = P(E1 ∩ E2 ) + P(E1 ∩ E2 ) Pawan can hit target = =
6 3
= P(E1 ) . P(E2 ) + P(E1 ) . P(E2 ) Required probability that at least 2 shorts hit target
1 2 1 1 1 1
 3 1  1 4  3 1 7 = × + × + ×
=  ×  +  ×  =  + = 2 3 2 3 2 3
 4 5   4 5   20 5  20
1 1 1 4 2
 7  = + + = =
× 100 % = 35%. 3 6 6 6 3
= 
 20  47. Out of 10 mangoes, 4 mangoes are rotten
43. Let E1 = Event that A speaks the truth 6! 6!
and E2 = Event that B speaks the truth.
6
C2 2! ( 6 − 2 ) !
∴ Required probability = 10 = = 2!4!
60 3 70 7 C2 10! 10!
Then, P(E1 ) = = , P(E2 ) = = , P(E1 ) 2! ( 10 − 2 ) ! 2!× 8!
100 5 100 10
6×5
 3 2  7 3 6×5 1
=  1 −  = , P(E2 ) =  1 −  = .
= 1× 2 = =
 5 5  10  10 10 × 9 10 × 9 3
P(A and B say the same thing) 1× 2

48. Number of red balls = 4
= P[(A speaks the truth and B speaks the truth) or (A tells
a lie and B tells a lie)] Number of yellow ball = 5
= P (E1 ∩ E2 ) or (E1 ∩ E2 ) = P(E1 ∩ E2 ) + P(E1 ∩ E2 ) Number of pink ball = 6
Total number of balls = 4 + 5 + 6 = 15
= P(E1 ) . P(E2 ) + P(E1 ) . P(E2 ) Total possible outcomes = selection of 2 balls out of 15
 3 7   2 3  27 15 15! 15! 15 × 14
=  ×  + ×  = = 0.54. balls = C 2 = = = = 105
 5 10   5 10  50 2! ( 15 − 2 ) ! 2!× 13! 1× 2
860 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE

Total favourable outcomes = selection of 2 balls out of 4

= n ( s) = C1 × C1 = 6 × 11 = 66
6 11

orange and 6 pink balls.
10 10! 10! 10 × 9 n ( E ) 66 2
C2 = = = = 45 Required probability = = =
2! ( 10 − 2 ) ! 2!8! 1 × 2 n ( S ) 231 7

45 3 50. Number of Red balls = 4
∴ Required probability = =
105 7 Number of Blue balls = 6
49. Number of red balls = 6 Number of Pink balls = 8
Number of yellow ball = 11 Total number of balls = 4 + 6 + 8 = 18
Number of pink balls = 5 Required probability
Total number of balls = 6 + 11 + 5 = 22 4 11 6 11
= × + ×
22! 22! 18 20 18 20
Total possible outcomes = n ( E ) = C 2 =
22
=
2! ( 22 − 2 ) ! 2!× 20! 11  4 6 
22 × 21 =  + 
= = 231 20  18 18  
2 ×1
Number of favourable outcomes 11 10 11
= × =
20 18 36