Q.If a machine is correctly set up, it produces 90% acceptable items. If it is incorrectly set up, it produces only 40% acceptable items. Past experience shows that 80% of the set ups are correctly done. If after a certain set up, the machine produces 2 acceptable items, find the probability that the machine is correctly setup.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Conditional Probability
Conditional Probability
Roll a die and ask "what is the chance of an even number?" — that is 3/6. But suppose someone tells you the result is greater than 3. Now you are no longer looking at all six faces, only at {4,5,6}, and two of those (4 and 6) are even, so the probability becomes 2/3. That change — from the probability of A to the probability of A given that B has already occurred — is conditional probability.
The Idea: Shrink the Sample Space
Conditioning on B throws away every outcome where B is false and treats B as the new "whole world." You measure A only against what is still possible.
Think of filtering a table of data: unconditional probability uses every row; conditional probability keeps only the rows where the condition is true.
The Definition
For events A and B with P(B)>0,
P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B).
We divide by P(B) to rescale so that B itself has probability 1; the surviving part of A is the overlap A∩B. Checking the die: P(A∩B)=P({4,6})=62 and P(B)=63, so P(A∣B)=3/62/6=32, matching the intuition.
Rearranging gives the multiplication rule P(A∩B)=P(A∣B)P(B), which is usually the easier way to compute a joint probability when a problem says "given that."
Two Cautions
- P(A∣B) and P(B∣A) are generally not equal; swapping them is the classic mistake. They are linked by Bayes' theorem, P(A∣B)=P(B)P(B∣A)P(A). …
Concept: Conditional Probability (Bayes' Theorem)
Let C = correctly set up, A = produces an acceptable item.
Given: P(C)=0.8, P(A∣C)=0.9, P(A∣C′)=0.4.
We need P(C∣2 acceptable items). Since items are independent given the setup:
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P(2 acceptable∣C)=(0.9)2=0.81
P(2 acceptable∣C′)=(0.4)2=0.16
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P(2 acceptable)=P(C)⋅0.81+P(C′)⋅0.16
=0.8×0.81+0.2×0.16=0.648+0.032=0.68
-
By Bayes' theorem: …
By Bayes' theorem, P(correct setup∣2 acceptable)=8581.
Let C = correct setup, C′ = incorrect setup, and E = "two acceptable items".
P(C)=0.8,P(C′)=0.2,P(acceptable∣C)=0.9,P(acceptable∣C′)=0.4.
Items are independent given the setup, so
P(E∣C)=(0.9)2=0.81,P(E∣C′)=(0.4)2=0.16.
Total probability of the observation:
P(E)=(0.81)(0.8)+(0.16)(0.2)=0.648+0.032=0.68. …
Method: Bayes' Theorem (finding the cause from the observed outcome)
Use this when you observe repeated results from one of two hidden states and want the probability of the state given the results. You know the per-item success rate for each setup, and want P(correct setup∣observed items).
Steps
Step 1: Set up the partition of possible causes.
List the mutually exclusive, exhaustive hypotheses (here: the machine was set up correctly or incorrectly) and write their prior probabilities P(Ei) (these must sum to 1).
Step 2: Write each likelihood.
For each cause, state P(A∣Ei) — the probability of the observed outcome (here: the machine produces two acceptable items) under that cause.
Step 3: Get the total probability of the outcome (the denominator).
By the law of total probability,
P(A)=∑iP(Ei)P(A∣Ei).
Step 4: Apply Bayes' theorem for the cause you want.
P(Ek∣A)=∑iP(Ei)P(A∣Ei)P(Ek)P(A∣Ek). …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using the single-item rate 0.9 instead of squaring it.
Why it's wrong: the observation is two acceptable items, so the likelihood is (0.9)2=0.81 for a correct setup (and (0.4)2=0.16 for an incorrect one). Correct approach: square the per-item probabilities before applying Bayes' theorem.
Mistake 2: Omitting the incorrect-setup branch from the denominator.
Why it's wrong: two acceptable items can also come from an incorrectly set-up machine. Correct approach: P(2 acceptable)=P(C)(0.9)2+P(C′)(0.4)2=0.68. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 69 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-FN1 markMCQQ.In a toy factory, the machines A, B and C are used to manufacture 30%, 40% and 30% of the output, respectively. The probabilities of toys made by machines A, B, and C to be defective are respectively 2%, 3% and 1%. A toy is taken from the factory and is found to be defective. The probability that it was manufactured by the machine B is (A) 4/5 (B) 2/9 (C) 3/4 (D) 4/7
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests Bayes' theorem for finding the probability of a specific cause given an observed
effect (a defective toy); the answer is 4/7.
Concept and Intuition
When an outcome (a defective toy) could have come from several sources, each with its own prior
probability and its own conditional probability of producing that outcome, Bayes' theorem lets us
"invert" the conditioning: given that the outcome occurred, what's the probability it came from a
particular source? The key is to first find the total probability of the outcome by summing over
all sources (the law of total probability), then take the one source's contribution as a fraction of
that total.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Prior probabilities: P(A)=0.3, P(B)=0.4, P(C)=0.3.
- Conditional defect rates: P(D∣A)=0.02, P(D∣B)=0.03, P(D∣C)=0.01.
- Total probability of a defective toy (law of total probability):
P(D)=P(A)P(D∣A)+P(B)P(D∣B)+P(C)P(D∣C)=0.3(0.02)+0.4(0.03)+0.3(0.01)
=0.006+0.012+0.003=0.021.
- By Bayes' theorem: …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.An item is tested on a device for its defectiveness. The probability that such an item is defective is 0.3. The device gives accurate result in 8 out of 10 such tests. If the device reports that an item tested is not defective, then the probability that it is actually defective is (A) 152 (B) 293 (C) 313 (D) 514
›Reveal solutionSolution
A direct Bayes'-theorem inversion problem; the item is actually defective with probability 313 given a "not defective" report — option (C).
Concept and Intuition
The device's report can be wrong. To find the true state given an observed (possibly wrong) report, we must weigh both ways the report could have arisen: a genuinely non-defective item correctly reported as such, or a genuinely defective item incorrectly reported as non-defective. Bayes' theorem combines these.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let D: item defective, P(D)=0.3; D′: item not defective, P(D′)=0.7.
- Device accuracy =0.8, so it errs with probability 0.2.
- "Reports not defective" while the item is defective means the device made an error: P(report ND∣D)=0.2.
- "Reports not defective" while the item is not defective means the device was accurate: P(report ND∣D′)=0.8. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.In a bolt factory, machines A, B, C manufacture 25%, 35%, 40% of the total output respectively. There is a chance of having 5%, 4%, 2% defective bolts manufactured by A, B, C respectively. If a bolt is drawn at random from the output, then the probability that it is defective is (A) 200069 (B) 200059 (C) 200079 (D) 200089
›Reveal solutionSolution
Classic total-probability ("law of total probability") setup: weight each machine's defect rate by its share of output and sum. The answer is (A).
Concept and Intuition
When an item can come from several mutually exclusive, exhaustive sources (here, machines A, B, C), and each source has its own conditional probability of producing a defect, the overall probability of a defect is the weighted average:
P(D)=∑iP(sourcei)P(D∣sourcei).
This is the law of total probability — it's the natural way to combine "how much each machine contributes" with "how likely each machine's own output is defective."
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let A,B,C denote drawing a bolt from each machine: P(A)=0.25, P(B)=0.35, P(C)=0.40 (these sum to 1, as they must).
- Conditional defect probabilities: P(D∣A)=0.05, P(D∣B)=0.04, P(D∣C)=0.02.
- By the law of total probability:
P(D)=P(A)P(D∣A)+P(B)P(D∣B)+P(C)P(D∣C).
- Compute each term: 0.25×0.05=0.0125; 0.35×0.04=0.014; 0.40×0.02=0.008. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.A manufacturing company of bulbs has 3 units A, B and C which produce 25%, 35% and 40% of the bulbs respectively. Out of the bulbs produced by A, B, C units, 5%, 4% and 2% are defective respectively. If a bulb is chosen at random and found to be defective, then the probability that it is produced by unit B is (A) 6928 (B) 7128 (C) 6729 (D) 6925
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests Bayes' theorem: given the bulb is defective, find the (reversed) probability it came from unit B. Answer: 6928.
Concept and Intuition
We know the forward probabilities (which unit makes what fraction, and each unit's defect rate), but we're asked a reverse question: given the bulb turned out defective, which unit is it likely from? Bayes' theorem reweights the prior production shares by how likely each unit was to have produced this particular (defective) outcome.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let A,B,C be the events "bulb from unit A/B/C", with P(A)=0.25, P(B)=0.35, P(C)=0.40.
- Conditional defect rates: P(D∣A)=0.05, P(D∣B)=0.04, P(D∣C)=0.02.
- Total probability of a defective bulb: P(D)=0.25(0.05)+0.35(0.04)+0.40(0.02)=0.0125+0.014+0.008=0.0345 …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.In a class consisting of 40 boys and 30 girls, 30% of the boys and 40% of the girls are good at Mathematics. If a student selected at random from that class is found to be a girl, then the probability that she is not good at Mathematics is (A) 53 (B) 52 (C) 103 (D) 107
›Reveal solutionSolution
Conditioning on "the student is a girl" restricts the sample space to the 30 girls only; the answer is 53.
Concept and Intuition
This is conditional probability with a twist: the condition ("selected student is a girl") is given as a fact, not something to be computed via Bayes' theorem. Once we know the student is a girl, the boys' statistics become irrelevant — we simply work within the group of girls.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Total girls =30.
- Girls good at Mathematics =40% of 30=12.
- Girls not good at Mathematics =30−12=18.
- Since we are told the selected student is a girl, the relevant sample space is just these 30 girls.
- P(not good at maths∣girl)=3018=53. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.There are 2 bags each containing 3 white and 5 black balls and 4 bags each containing 6 white and 4 black balls. If a ball drawn randomly from a bag is found to be black, then the probability that this ball is from the first set of bags is (A) 5725 (B) 4125 (C) 52 (D) 53
›Reveal solutionSolution
A classic Bayes'-theorem (inverse-probability) question: given the ball drawn is black, find the probability it came from the first group of bags. Answer: 5725.
Concept and Intuition
When an experiment happens in two stages — first a bag is picked (from one of two groups of bags), then a ball is drawn from it — and we're told the result of the second stage (a black ball came out), Bayes' theorem lets us reverse the direction of reasoning and find the probability about the first stage (which group the bag was from). The prior probability of picking from a group is proportional to how many bags are in that group (each individual bag is equally likely to be picked), and then we weight by how likely that group is to produce the observed outcome.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Groups and priors. Group 1 (call it S1) has 2 bags (each 3 white, 5 black — 8 balls). Group 2 (S2) has 4 bags (each 6 white, 4 black — 10 balls). Total bags =6, each equally likely to be chosen, so
P(S1)=62=31,P(S2)=64=32.
- Likelihoods of drawing black. From a group-1 bag: P(B∣S1)=85. From a group-2 bag: P(B∣S2)=104=52.
- Total probability of drawing a black ball (law of total probability): P(B)=P(S1)P(B∣S1)+P(S2)P(B∣S2)=31⋅85+32⋅52=245+154. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-AN1 markMCQQ.A box contains n coins, m of which are fair and the rest are biased. When a biased coin is tossed, the probability of getting a head is twice as likely as tail. A coin is drawn from the box at random and is tossed twice. It is found that first time it shows head and the second time it shows tail. Then the probability that the coin drawn is fair is (A) 8n+m7m (B) 8n+m9m (C) 8m+n7m (D) 8m+n9m
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a Bayes'-theorem problem; computing the likelihoods for fair vs. biased coins and combining with the prior m/n gives 8n+m9m.
Concept and Intuition
Bayes' theorem updates our belief about which "type" of coin was drawn, given the observed outcome (head then tail), by weighing each type's prior probability by how likely it was to produce that exact outcome.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Fair coin: P(H)=P(T)=21, so P(HT∣fair)=21⋅21=41.
- Biased coin: head is twice as likely as tail, so P(H)=32,P(T)=31; P(HT∣biased)=32⋅31=92.
- Priors: P(fair)=nm, P(biased)=nn−m. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.70% of the total employees of a factory are men. Among the employees of that factory, 30% of men and 15% of women are technical assistants. If an employee chosen at random is found to be a technical assistant, then the probability that this employee is a man is (A) 239 (B) 173 (C) 1714 (D) 2314
›Reveal solutionSolution
A direct Bayes'/total-probability computation using a convenient total of 100 employees. The answer is 1714.
Concept and Intuition
We want P(man∣technical assistant). Since we're given the proportion of men and women, and what fraction of each group are technical assistants, the cleanest approach is to work with actual counts (out of a convenient total like 100) rather than abstract probabilities — it avoids fraction juggling.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Assume 100 employees: Men =70, Women =30.
- Technical assistants among men: 30% of 70=21.
- Technical assistants among women: 15% of 30=4.5.
- Total technical assistants =21+4.5=25.5.
- P(man∣TA)=25.521=255210=5142=1714. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-FN1 markMCQQ.A bag contains 4 red and 3 black balls. A second bag contains 2 red and 3 black balls. One bag is selected at random. If from the selected bag, one ball is drawn at random, then the probability that the ball drawn is red is (A) 7039 (B) 7041 (C) 7029 (D) 3517
›Reveal solutionSolution
Total probability theorem over the two equally-likely bags gives 3517.
Concept and Intuition
Since the bag is chosen at random (each with probability 21), the overall probability of drawing red is the weighted average of the conditional probabilities of drawing red from each bag.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Bag 1: 4 red, 3 black (7 total) → P(red∣Bag1)=74.
- Bag 2: 2 red, 3 black (5 total) → P(red∣Bag2)=52.
- P(red)=21⋅74+21⋅52=144+102=72+51. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-AN1 markMCQQ.In a test a student either guesses or copies or knows the answer to answer a multiple choice question with four choices. The probability that he makes a guess is 1/3 and the probability that he copies the answer is 1/6. The probability that his answer is correct, given that he copied it is 1/8. The probability that he knew the answer to the question, given that he answered it correctly is (A) 2429 (B) 2922 (C) 2924 (D) 2923
›Reveal solutionSolution
A classic Bayes'-theorem problem with three mutually exclusive causes (guess/copy/know) for a correct answer. Answer: 24/29.
Concept and Intuition
This is a textbook application of Bayes' theorem: we're given the prior probabilities of three exhaustive, mutually exclusive ways of answering (guessing, copying, knowing) along with the conditional probability of being correct under each, and asked to reverse the conditioning — find the probability the student knew the answer, GIVEN that they got it right.
Step-by-Step Solution
- The three ways of answering are exhaustive: P(know)=1−P(guess)−P(copy)=1−31−61=1−21=21.
- Conditional correctness probabilities: P(C∣guess)=41 (one of four choices), P(C∣copy)=81 (given), P(C∣know)=1.
- Total probability of being correct: P(C)=31⋅41+61⋅81+21⋅1=121+481+21. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.A box P contains 3 white and 7 red balls. A bag Q contains 4 green and 5 blue balls. Two balls are randomly drawn from box P. If both are of same color, one ball is drawn from bag Q and if the two balls are of different color, 2 balls are drawn from the bag Q. If it is known that there is exactly one green ball among the ball or balls drawn from bag Q, then the probability that the two balls drawn from box P are of different colors is (A) 6735 (B) 6221 (C) 4320 (D) 6732
›Reveal solutionSolution
A two-stage Bayes' theorem problem; conditioning on "exactly one green ball from Q" gives P(different colors from P)=6735.
Concept and Intuition
This is a compound experiment: the outcome in box P (same-color vs different-color) determines how many balls are drawn from bag Q, and hence changes the probability model for "exactly one green." We must compute, for each P-outcome, the probability of observing exactly one green from Q, then combine via Bayes' theorem using the P-outcome's prior probability.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Box P has 3 white + 7 red = 10 balls. P(same color)=10C23C2+7C2=453+21=4524=158. P(different colors)=1−158=157 (check: 10C23C17C1=4521=157 ✓).
- If same color (S): draw 1 ball from Q (4 green, 5 blue, 9 total). "Exactly one green" among 1 ball drawn just means that ball is green: P(1 green∣S)=94.
- If different colors (D): draw 2 balls from Q. P(exactly one green∣D)=9C24C1⋅5C1=3620=95.
- By Bayes' theorem: …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.A person is known to speak false once out of 4 times. If that person picks a card at random from a pack of 52 cards and reports that it is a king, then the probability that it is actually a king is (A) 371 (B) 51 (C) 3712 (D) 3725
›Reveal solutionSolution
Classic Bayes'-theorem problem: weigh the prior probability of drawing a king against the person's truth-telling reliability. Answer: 1/5.
Concept and Intuition
The report 'it is a king' can arise two ways: the card really is a king and the person tells the truth, or the card is NOT a king and the person lies (falsely claims king). Bayes' theorem combines these into the posterior probability that it's actually a king.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Prior: P(K)=4/52=1/13 (king drawn), P(Kˉ)=12/13 (not a king).
- Truth-telling: P(truth)=3/4, P(lie)=1/4.
- P(reports king∣K)=P(truth)=3/4 (truthfully reports the actual king).
- P(reports king∣Kˉ)=P(lie)=1/4 (lies about a non-king, falsely calling it a king). …
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