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Exercise 12.3 · Q6

Q.A problem in Mathematics is given to three students whose chances of solving it are 13,14\dfrac{1}{3}, \dfrac{1}{4}, and 15\dfrac{1}{5}.

(i) What is the probability that the problem is solved?
(ii) What is the probability that exactly one of them will solve it?
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Step 1. Given. P1=13P_1=\dfrac13, P2=14P_2=\dfrac14, P3=15P_3=\dfrac15 -- the (independent) chances each student solves the problem, so P(1ˉ)=23P(\bar1)=\dfrac23, P(2ˉ)=34P(\bar2)=\dfrac34, P(3ˉ)=45P(\bar3)=\dfrac45.

Step 2. Part (i) -- probability the problem is solved. The problem stays unsolved only if ALL THREE fail: P(none solve)=23×34×45=2×3×43×4×5=2460=25P(\text{none solve})=\dfrac23\times\dfrac34\times\dfrac45=\dfrac{2\times3\times4}{3\times4\times5}=\dfrac{24}{60}=\dfrac25. So P(solved)=1−25=35P(\text{solved})=1-\dfrac25=\dfrac35.

Step 3. Part (ii) -- exactly one solves. Sum the three 'this one solves, the other two fail' terms:

1 solves, 2&3 fail: 13×34×45=1260=15\dfrac13\times\dfrac34\times\dfrac45=\dfrac{12}{60}=\dfrac15. …

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