Q.(a) A die with numbers 1 to 6 is biased such that P(2)=103 and the probability of other numbers is equal. Find the mean of the number of times the number 2 appears on the die, if the die is thrown twice.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Part (a)Concept understanding — Binomial Distribution
Binomial Distribution: From Intuition to Precision
Imagine you flip a fair coin 10 times. You want to know the probability of getting exactly 6 heads. This is the kind of question the binomial distribution answers — it models the number of "successes" in a fixed number of independent trials, where each trial has only two outcomes.
The Intuition
Think of a single trial. You roll a die and call "getting a 4" a success. That's one trial. Now roll the die 5 times. The number of times you get a 4 could be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. Each roll is independent — the result of one roll doesn't affect the next. The probability of success (getting a 4) stays the same every time: p=61.
The binomial distribution tells you exactly how likely each possible count of successes is, given:
- a fixed number of trials n,
- a constant success probability p per trial,
- independent trials.
The Key Conditions
For a situation to be modelled by a binomial distribution, all four must hold:
- Fixed number of trials (n). You decide in advance how many times you'll repeat the experiment.
- Two outcomes per trial — "success" and "failure". These are just labels; success is whatever outcome you're counting.
- Constant probability of success (p) on every trial.
- Independent trials. The outcome of one trial does not influence another.
A common mistake is to apply the binomial distribution when trials are not independent — for example, drawing cards without replacement from a deck. That's a hypergeometric situation, not binomial.
The Precise Statement
Let X be the number of successes in n independent trials, each with success probability p. Then X follows a binomial distribution with parameters n and p, written:
X∼Binomial(n,p)
The probability of getting exactly k successes (where k=0,1,2,…,n) is:
P(X=k)=(kn)pk(1−p)n−k
P(X=k)=(kn)pk(1−p)n−k
Breaking Down the Formula
Three pieces multiply together:
- pk — the probability that the k successes happen. Since each success has probability p, and there are k of them, this factor is p multiplied by itself k times.
- (1−p)n−k — the probability that the remaining n−k trials are failures. Each failure has probability 1−p.
- (kn) — the number of ways to choose which k of the n trials are the successes. The successes could be the first k trials, or the last k, or any arrangement. This binomial coefficient counts all possible arrangements.
The binomial coefficient (kn) is read as "n choose k" and equals k!(n−k)!n!. For example, (25)=2!3!5!=10.
A Worked Example
Problem: A multiple-choice test has 10 questions, each with 4 options. You guess every answer. What is the probability you get exactly 3 correct?
Solution:
- n=10 (10 trials)
- p=41 (probability of guessing correctly on one question)
- k=3 (we want exactly 3 successes)
P(X=3)=(310)(41)3(43)7
Compute (310)=120, so:
P(X=3)=120×641×(43)7
(43)7=163842187, so:
P(X=3)=120×641×163842187=64×16384120×2187
Simplify: 120/64=15/8, so:
P(X=3)=8×1638415×2187=13107232805≈0.2503
So there's about a 25% chance of getting exactly 3 correct by pure guessing.
Mean and Variance
For a binomial distribution, two important summary measures are: …
Part (b)Concept understanding — Event Independence
Event Independence
Two events are independent when the occurrence of one does not change the probability of the other. Toss a coin and roll a die: the coin landing heads tells you nothing about whether the die shows a six. Contrast this with drawing cards without replacement, where the first draw does change the odds for the second — those events are dependent.
From Conditional Probability to a Clean Test
"Knowing B doesn't change A" means P(A∣B)=P(A). Substituting the definition P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B) and clearing the fraction gives the symmetric form used in practice:
P(A∩B)=P(A)P(B).
Events A and B are independent exactly when the probability of both occurring equals the product of their individual probabilities. This version is preferred because it needs no non-zero condition and treats A and B alike.
A Quick Check
Roll a fair die. Let A={2,4,6} (even) and B={4,5,6} (greater than 3). Then P(A)=P(B)=21, and A∩B={4,6} so P(A∩B)=31. Since 31=21⋅21=41, these events are not independent.
Three or More Events
Events A,B,C are mutually independent only if all four conditions hold: the three pairwise products and
P(A∩B∩C)=P(A)P(B)P(C).
Pairwise independence alone is not enough to guarantee mutual independence. …
Part (a)
The number of 2's in two independent throws is X∼Binomial(n=2, p=P(2)=103). (The other five faces share the remaining 107, but only p matters for the mean.) …
Part (a): the count of 2's in two throws is Binomial(2,103), mean =53. Part (b): P(A)P(B)=545=121=P(A∩B) and A∩B=∅, so A,B are neither independent nor mutually exclusive.
Part (a): mean number of 2's in two throws
We are told P(2)=103; the other five faces 1,3,4,5,6 are equally likely. If each has probability p, then 5p+103=1⇒p=507 — though for the mean we only need P(2).
Let X be the number of times 2 appears in two independent throws. Each throw is a Bernoulli trial with "success" = getting a 2, probability 103. Hence X∼Binomial(n=2, p=103).
For X∼Binomial(n,p), the mean is E(X)=np. …
Method: Mean of a count via np, and testing independence vs mutual exclusivity
Two techniques: getting a mean count without the full distribution, and classifying two events by the two defining equations.
Steps
Step 1 (mean): recognise a binomial count.
If you count how often a fixed-probability outcome occurs in n independent trials, the count is B(n,p) and its mean is E(X)=np — you need only p and n, not the whole distribution.
Step 2 (classification): compute three numbers.
From the sample space find P(A), P(B), and P(A∩B).
Step 3: Apply both tests independently.
- Mutually exclusive ⟺P(A∩B)=0. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 (part a): Building the whole distribution when only the mean is asked.
Why it's wrong: the count of 2's in two throws is B(2,103), so E(X)=np=53 directly; you only need P(2), not the other faces' probabilities. Correct approach: use E(X)=np.
Mistake 2 (part b): Concluding "not mutually exclusive" therefore "independent" (or vice versa). …
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-M1 markMCQQ.The odds against Arjun solving a problem are 5:2 and the odds in favour of Bhavana solving the same problem are 3:4. What is the probability that the problem is NOT solved by either of them? (A) 4910 (B) 4929 (C) 4920 (D) 4915
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert odds to probabilities, then use the multiplication rule for independent events: the probability neither solves is the product of their individual failure probabilities, giving 4920.
Concept & Intuition
Odds are a different way of expressing probability. "Odds against Arjun" means the ratio of failure to success; "odds in favour of Bhavana" means the ratio of success to failure. To find the probability that neither solves the problem, we first convert each person's odds into a probability of failure, then multiply them — assuming their attempts are independent.
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Convert Arjun's odds to probability
Odds against Arjun = 5:2 means for every 5 failures, there are 2 successes.
Total outcomes = 5+2=7.
Probability Arjun fails = 75.
Probability Arjun succeeds = 72.
-
Convert Bhavana's odds to probability
Odds in favour of Bhavana = 3:4 means for every 3 successes, there are 4 failures.
Total outcomes = 3+4=7.
Probability Bhavana fails = 74.
Probability Bhavana succeeds = 73.
-
Probability neither solves
The problem is not solved by either only if both fail. Assuming independence:
-
- CA Foundation 2026Set jan-20261 markMCQQ.A quality control inspector finds that 20% of light bulbs are defective. If a batch of 5 light bulbs is tested, what is the probability that exactly 1 bulb is defective? (A) 0.4096 (B) 0.8026 (C) 0.2746 (D) 0.1296
›Reveal solutionSolution
P(X=1)=(15)(0.2)1(0.8)4=0.4096.
Step 1 — Set up the binomial model
Each bulb is defective with probability p=0.2 independently; n=5 trials.
Step 2 — Apply the binomial formula for X=1
P(X=1)=(15)p1(1−p)4=5×0.2×(0.8)4.
Step 3 — Compute
(0.8)4=0.4096,P=5×0.2×0.4096=1×0.4096=0.4096. …
- KCET 2025Set A-11 markMCQQ.Consider the following statements. Statement (I): If E and F are two independent events, then E' and F' are also independent. Statement (II): Two mutually exclusive events with non-zero probabilities of occurrence cannot be independent. Which of the following is correct? (A) Statement (I) is true and statement (II) is false (B) Statement (I) is false and statement (II) is true (C) Both the statements are true (D) Both the statements are false
›Reveal solutionSolution
Prove Statement (I) with De Morgan + the addition rule, and Statement (II) by showing P(E∩F)=0 contradicts P(E)P(F)>0 — both come out true.
Step 1 — Verify Statement (I): if E and F are independent, so are E′ and F′.
Given independence: P(E∩F)=P(E)P(F).
Use De Morgan's law, E′∩F′=(E∪F)′:
P(E′∩F′)=1−P(E∪F)
Apply the addition theorem, then the independence hypothesis:
=1−[P(E)+P(F)−P(E∩F)]
=1−P(E)−P(F)+P(E)P(F)
Now factor by grouping:
=[1−P(E)]−P(F)[1−P(E)]=[1−P(E)][1−P(F)]
=P(E′)P(F′)
Since P(E′∩F′)=P(E′)P(F′), the complements E′ and F′ are independent.
⇒ Statement (I) is TRUE.
(Intuition: independence means knowing whether E happened tells you nothing about F. Knowing whether E didn't happen is the same information, so it still tells you nothing about F — or about F not happening.)
Step 2 — Verify Statement (II): two mutually exclusive events with non-zero probabilities cannot be independent.
Suppose E and F are mutually exclusive with P(E)>0 and P(F)>0.
Mutually exclusive means they cannot occur together:
E∩F=ϕ⟹P(E∩F)=0
But independence would require …
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-A1 markMCQQ.In a kabaddi league, two matches are being played between Jaipur and Delhi. It is assumed that the outcomes of the two games are independent. The probability of Jaipur winning, drawing and losing the game against Delhi are 21,103 and 51 respectively. Each team gets 5 points for win, 3 points for draw and 0 points for loss in a game. After two games, find the probability that Jaipur has more points than Delhi. (A) 41 (B) 203 (C) 2011 (D) 52
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to list all possible outcomes of the two independent matches, compute the total points for Jaipur and Delhi in each case, and sum the probabilities where Jaipur’s total exceeds Delhi’s. The result is 2011, which corresponds to option (C).
We are told the outcomes of the two matches are independent. For each match, the probabilities are:
- Jaipur wins: 21
- Draw: 103
- Jaipur loses: 51
Points per match: win = 5, draw = 3, loss = 0.
We need the probability that after two matches, Jaipur’s total points are strictly greater than Delhi’s.
Concept and intuition:
Since each match gives points to both teams simultaneously, we can think of the difference in points per match.
- If Jaipur wins: Jaipur +5, Delhi +0 → difference = +5 for Jaipur.
- If draw: both get +3 → difference = 0.
- If Jaipur loses: Jaipur +0, Delhi +5 → difference = –5 for Jaipur.
After two matches, the total difference is the sum of the two per-match differences. Jaipur has more points if and only if this total difference is positive.
Because the matches are independent, we can list all 3×3 = 9 possible pairs of outcomes, compute the total difference, and sum probabilities where it is > 0.
Step-by-step solution:
-
List all possible outcomes for the two matches.
Let the outcomes be (result of match 1, result of match 2). Each result can be W (Jaipur win), D (draw), or L (Jaipur loss).
The probability of each pair is the product of the individual probabilities (independence).
-
Compute the point difference for each match:
- W: difference = +5
- D: difference = 0
- L: difference = –5
After two matches, total difference = sum of the two differences.
-
Enumerate all 9 cases and find where total difference > 0:
Match 1 Match 2 Diff 1 Diff 2 Total diff Jaipur > Delhi? W W +5 +5 +10 Yes W D +5 0 +5 Yes W L +5 –5 0 No D W 0 +5 +5 Yes D D 0 0 0 No D L 0 –5 –5 No L W –5 +5 0 No
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-E1 markMCQQ.An unbiased die is tossed twice. What is the probability of getting a 4,5 or 6 on the first toss and a 1,2,3 or 4 on the second toss? (A) 65 (B) 43 (C) 32 (D) 31
›Reveal solutionSolution
The probability is the product of the probabilities of two independent events: first toss gives {4,5,6} (3 outcomes out of 6) and second toss gives {1,2,3,4} (4 outcomes out of 6). Multiplying gives 63×64=3612=31, so the answer is (D).
Concept and intuition
When two events are independent — meaning the outcome of the first doesn’t affect the second — the probability that both happen is simply the product of their individual probabilities. Here, each toss of a fair die is independent, so we can treat the two conditions separately and multiply.
- First toss condition We want a 4, 5, or 6. That’s 3 favorable outcomes out of 6 equally likely faces.
P(first in {4,5,6})=63=21.
- Second toss condition We want a 1, 2, 3, or 4. That’s 4 favorable outcomes out of 6.
P(second in {1,2,3,4})=64=32.
- Combine using independence Since the two tosses are independent, P(both conditions)=21×32=62=31. …
- CA Foundation 2025Set may-20251 markMCQQ.What is the probability of making 3 corrected guesses in 5 True-False answer type questions ? (A) 0.3125 (B) 0.4156 (C) 1.3888 (D) 0.5235
›Reveal solutionSolution
Binomial with n=5,p=21: P(X=3)=(35)(21)5=3210=0.3125.
Step 1 — Identify the model
Each of 5 True-False questions is an independent trial with p=21 of a correct guess, so X= number correct is Binomial.
P(X=r)=(rn)pr(1−p)n−r
Step 2 — Substitute n=5, r=3, p=21
P(X=3)=(35)(21)3(21)2=10×(21)5
Step 3 — Evaluate
P(X=3)=3210=0.3125 …
- CA Foundation 2025Set sep-20251 markMCQQ.The Mode of binomial distribution B(7,1/3) is (A) 3 (B) 2 (C) 7/3 (D) 8/3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Mode of B(n,p) = ⌊(n+1)p⌋ when (n+1)p is non-integer; here (8)(1/3)=8/3 → mode = 2.
Step 1 — The mode formula for a binomial
Mode=⌊(n+1)p⌋if (n+1)p is not an integer
Step 2 — Substitute n = 7, p = 1/3
(n+1)p=(7+1)×31=38≈2.67
Since 2.67 is not an integer, take its integer part: mode =2.
Why the other options are wrong: 3 would be ⌈8/3⌉; 7/3 and 8/3 are the mean np=7/3 and the value (n+1)p=8/3 respectively — neither is the mode, which must be a whole-number value the variable can actually take. …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-A1 markMCQQ.A and B are two independent events. The probability of their simultaneous occurrence is 81 and the probability that neither of them occurs is 83. Then their individual probabilities are (A) 83 and 81 (B) 85 and 41 (C) 43 and 21 (D) 21 and 41
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using the independence condition P(A∩B)=P(A)P(B)=81 and the complement condition P(Ac∩Bc)=(1−P(A))(1−P(B))=83, we solve a quadratic to find P(A)=21 and P(B)=41 (or vice versa), matching option (D).
We are told that A and B are independent events. This is the key that unlocks the problem: for independent events, the probability of both occurring is simply the product of their individual probabilities. We are also given the probability that neither occurs — that is, the complement of their union. Let’s denote p=P(A) and q=P(B). Our goal is to find p and q.
1. Translate the given information into equations
- Simultaneous occurrence: P(A∩B)=81. Because A and B are independent,
P(A∩B)=P(A)⋅P(B)=pq=81.
- Neither occurs: P(neither A nor B)=P(Ac∩Bc)=83. For independent events, the complements are also independent, so
P(Ac∩Bc)=(1−p)(1−q)=83.
So we have the system:
{pq=81(1−p)(1−q)=83
2. Expand the second equation
(1−p)(1−q)=1−p−q+pq=83.
Substitute pq=81:
1−p−q+81=83.
Simplify:
1+81−83=p+q⇒1−82=p+q⇒1−41=p+q.
Thus:
p+q=43.
3. Solve for p and q
We now have:
p+q=43,pq=81.
These are the sum and product of the roots of a quadratic equation. The numbers p and q satisfy:
x2−(p+q)x+pq=0⇒x2−43x+81=0.
Multiply through by 8 to clear denominators:
8x2−6x+1=0. …
- KCET 2022Set C-41 markMCQQ.If A and B are two independent events such that P(A)=0.75, P(A∪B)=0.65, and P(B)=x, then find the value of x: (A) 8/15 (B) 9/14 (C) 7/15 (D) 5/14
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A)P(B) for independent events and solve the resulting linear equation for x, giving x=8/15.
Step 1 — The concept: addition rule + independence
The general addition rule is
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)
When A and B are independent, the occurrence of one does not change the chance of the other, so
P(A∩B)=P(A)P(B)
Combining the two:
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A)P(B)
With P(B)=x this becomes a single linear equation in x:
P(A∪B)=P(A)+x(1−P(A))
Step 2 — A necessary consistency check on the data
Because A⊆A∪B, we must always have P(A∪B)≥P(A). The stem prints P(A)=0.75 and P(A∪B)=0.65, i.e. P(A∪B)<P(A) — impossible. Solving with those numbers confirms it:
0.65=0.75+x(1−0.75)⇒0.25x=−0.10⇒x=−0.4
a negative probability, which cannot be. So P(A) must read 0.25 (the value consistent with P(A∪B)=0.65) — and, as Step 3 shows, 0.25 is precisely the value that reproduces one of the printed options exactly.
Step 3 — Solve
With P(A)=0.25, P(A∪B)=0.65, P(B)=x: …
- COMEDK 2021Set 2021-B1 markMCQQ.If A and B be independent events with P(A)=41 and P(A∪B)=2P(B)−P(A) then P(B) = (A) 2/5 (B) 1/4 (C) 3/5 (D) 2/3
›Reveal solutionSolution
P(B)=52.
For independent A,B: P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A)P(B)=41+P(B)−41P(B).
Given P(A∪B)=2P(B)−P(A)=2P(B)−41. Equate:
41+P(B)−41P(B)=2P(B)−41. …
- KCET 2020Set A-11 markMCQQ.A die is thrown 10 times, the probability that an odd number will come up atleast one time is (A) 10241 (B) 10241023 (C) 102411 (D) 10241013
›Reveal solutionSolution
"At least one" = 1−P(none); with p=21 per throw, P=1−(1/2)10=10241023.
Step 1 — Set up the Bernoulli trials.
Each throw of a fair die is an independent trial. A die shows an odd number in 3 of its 6 faces {1,3,5}, so
p=P(odd on one throw)=63=21,q=1−p=21
The number of odd outcomes X in n=10 throws is binomial: X∼B(10,21).
Step 2 — Why use the complement.
"At least one" would need P(X=1)+P(X=2)+⋯+P(X=10) — ten terms. The complement of "at least one odd" is the single, simple event "no odd at all", i.e. X=0 (every throw is even). So
P(X≥1)=1−P(X=0)
Step 3 — Compute P(X=0).
Using the binomial formula P(X=r)=(rn)prqn−r with r=0:
P(X=0)=(010)(21)0(21)10=1⋅(21)10=10241
(Directly: all ten throws must be even, each with probability 21, and the throws are independent — so multiply.) …
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