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Worked Examples · Example 7

Q.Two students Anil and Ashima appeared in an examination. The probability that Anil will qualify the examination is 0.05 and that Ashima will qualify the examination is 0.10. The probability that both will qualify the examination is 0.02. Find the probability that

(a) Both Anil and Ashima will not qualify the examination.
(b) Atleast one of them will not qualify the examination and
(c) Only one of them will qualify the examination.
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Using the classical probability formula P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)P(A \cup B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A \cap B) and De Morgan’s laws, we find: (a) 0.870.87,

(b) 0.980.98,

(c) 0.110.11.

The key here is to treat the events clearly and apply the basic rules of probability — especially the addition rule and the idea of complementary events. Let’s define:

  • Let AA = event that Anil qualifies. Given P(A)=0.05P(A) = 0.05.
  • Let BB = event that Ashima qualifies. Given P(B)=0.10P(B) = 0.10.
  • Given P(A∩B)=0.02P(A \cap B) = 0.02 (both qualify).

We want three different probabilities. Each requires a slightly different logical twist, but all flow from the same given data.


1. Probability that both do not qualify

We want P(A′∩B′)P(A' \cap B'), where A′A' means “Anil does not qualify” and B′B' means “Ashima does not qualify”.

By De Morgan’s law:

A′∩B′=(A∪B)′A' \cap B' = (A \cup B)'

So P(A′∩B′)=1−P(A∪B)P(A' \cap B') = 1 - P(A \cup B).

First find P(A∪B)P(A \cup B) using the addition rule:

P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)=0.05+0.10−0.02=0.13P(A \cup B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A \cap B) = 0.05 + 0.10 - 0.02 = 0.13

Thus:

P(A′∩B′)=1−0.13=0.87P(A' \cap B') = 1 - 0.13 = 0.87

Tip

Always check: P(A∪B)P(A \cup B) is the probability that at least one qualifies. Its complement is “none qualify” — exactly what we need.


2. Probability that at least one of them will not qualify

This is the event “Anil does not qualify OR Ashima does not qualify”, i.e., A′∪B′A' \cup B'.

Again by De Morgan’s law:

A′∪B′=(A∩B)′A' \cup B' = (A \cap B)'

So P(A′∪B′)=1−P(A∩B)=1−0.02=0.98P(A' \cup B') = 1 - P(A \cap B) = 1 - 0.02 = 0.98. …

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