Q.A couple has two children,
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).
- If P(A∣B)=P(A), then knowing B tells you nothing about A — the events are independent. That is a special case, not the general rule.
Conditional probability is the foundation of the multiplication theorem, independence, and Bayes' theorem — every "given that" question in this chapter rests on it.
Conditional Probability opens the CBSE Class 12 Probability chapter and is foundational for everything that follows in that unit, including Bayes' theorem and the multiplication rule — making "conditional probability formula class 12 with examples" one of the most searched topics in Class 12 Mathematics. It is equally important for JEE Main and CUET, where conditional probability questions are set almost every year.
Concept: Conditional Probability — we restrict the sample space based on the given condition.
(i) Sample space for two children: {MM,MF,FM,FF}.
Given at least one male, the reduced space is {MM,MF,FM}.
Only MM satisfies "both males".
So P=31.
(ii) Given the elder child is female, the reduced space is {FM,FF}.
Only FF satisfies "both females".
So P=21.
- The probability is 31;
- The probability is 21.
Conditional probability reduces the sample space to only outcomes satisfying the given condition. For (i), the probability that both are males given at least one male is 31. For (ii), the probability that both are females given the elder is female is 21.
Concept and Intuition
When we say "given that" something is true, we are no longer looking at all possible outcomes — we restrict our attention to only those outcomes where the condition holds. This is the heart of conditional probability: P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B), where B is the condition.
For a family with two children, the natural sample space (assuming equal probability for male and female, and independence) is:
{MM,MF,FM,FF}
Each outcome has probability 41. The order matters here — first child then second — so MF and FM are distinct.
The classic mistake is to treat "at least one male" as if it only eliminates FF, but then to forget that the remaining three outcomes are not equally likely under the condition? Actually, they are equally likely because each original outcome had equal probability, and we are simply discarding one. So the conditional probability is just counting: number of favorable outcomes in the reduced space divided by total outcomes in the reduced space.
Let's work each part carefully.
(i) Both males, given at least one male
-
Define events.
Let A = "both children are males" = {MM}.
Let B = "at least one child is male" = {MM,MF,FM}.
-
Find the reduced sample space.
The condition B removes only {FF}. So the new sample space has 3 equally likely outcomes: MM, MF, FM.
-
Count favorable outcomes.
Only MM satisfies A. So exactly 1 outcome.
-
Compute probability.
P(A∣B)=∣B∣∣A∩B∣=31.
A common error is to think that "at least one male" means the first child is male, or to list the reduced space as {MM, MF} — forgetting that FM (first female, second male) is also valid. Always list all ordered pairs.
(ii) Both females, given elder child is female
-
Define events.
Let C = "both children are females" = {FF}.
Let D = "the elder child is female" = {FF,FM}.
-
Find the reduced sample space.
Condition D keeps only outcomes where the first child (elder) is female: FF and FM. These are equally likely.
-
Count favorable outcomes.
Only FF satisfies C. So 1 outcome.
-
Compute probability.
P(C∣D)=∣D∣∣C∩D∣=21.
Notice the difference: "at least one male" is a symmetric condition that keeps three outcomes, while "elder is female" is an asymmetric condition that keeps only two. That's why the answers differ — the condition itself determines how much the sample space shrinks.
- The probability that both are males given at least one male is 31.
- The probability that both are females given the elder is female is 21.
Method: Conditional probability by reducing the sample space
For "given that … , find the probability that …" problems with a small set of equally likely outcomes, you can skip the fraction formula and just shrink the world of possibilities.
Steps
Step 1: Write the full, ordered, equally likely sample space.
List every outcome once, keeping order where it matters (elder child first, then younger): {MM,MF,FM,FF}, each equally likely.
Step 2: Keep only the outcomes that satisfy the given condition.
The condition becomes your new, smaller sample space. "At least one male" keeps {MM,MF,FM}; "elder is female" keeps {FF,FM}. Discard everything the condition rules out.
Step 3: Count the favourable outcomes inside the reduced space.
P(target∣condition)=total outcomes in the reduced spacefavourable outcomes in the reduced space.
The whole answer turns on listing the reduced space completely — order-sensitive outcomes like FM versus MF are the ones most often missed.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Reducing "at least one male" to {MM,MF} and getting 21.
Why it's wrong: it drops FM (elder female, younger male), which also has at least one male. Correct approach: the reduced space is {MM,MF,FM}, so the answer is 31.
Mistake 2: Treating "at least one male" as "the elder child is male".
Why it's wrong: those are different conditions that shrink the sample space by different amounts. Correct approach: keep every outcome with a male anywhere, not just elder-male ones.
Mistake 3: In part (ii), forgetting that "elder is female" fixes only the first child.
Why it's wrong: the reduced space is {FF,FM}, not a single outcome. Correct approach: count FF among these two, giving 21.
Showing the 12 most recent of 30 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-18-FN1 markMCQQ.A pair of dice is thrown twice in succession. The probability of getting prime numbers on both the dice in first throw and composite numbers on both the dice in second throw is (A) 2161 (B) 161 (C) 361 (D) 91
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to treat the two throws as independent events, multiply their probabilities, and note that each die has 3 prime numbers (2,3,5) and 2 composite numbers (4,6) — 1 is neither. The final probability is 161.
We start by recalling what “prime” and “composite” mean for the numbers 1 through 6 on a standard die.
- Prime numbers on a die: 2, 3, 5 (three numbers).
- Composite numbers on a die: 4, 6 (two numbers).
- Neither: 1 (not prime, not composite).
The problem asks: first throw — both dice show primes; second throw — both dice show composites. The two throws are independent, so we multiply probabilities.
- Probability of both dice showing primes in the first throw For one die, P(prime)=63=21. Since the two dice are independent,
P(both prime)=21×21=41.
- Probability of both dice showing composites in the second throw For one die, P(composite)=62=31. So,
P(both composite)=31×31=91.
- Combine the two independent events The first throw and second throw are independent (the dice don’t remember previous rolls). Therefore,
P(first both prime AND second both composite)=41×91=361.
Watch outA common mistake is to count 1 as composite — it is neither prime nor composite. Also, some forget that “both dice” means squaring the single-die probability.
TipNotice that 41×91=361 matches option (C). Always check whether the problem treats the two throws as independent — here they are, so multiplication is correct.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
ANSWER: C
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.A, B1, B2, B3 are the events in a random experiment. If P(B1)=0.25, P(B2)=0.30, P(B3)=0.45, P(B1A)=0.05, P(B2A)=0.04, P(B3A)=0.03, then P(AB2)= (A) 196 (B) 198 (C) 1912 (D) 195
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a classic Bayes’ theorem problem: we are given prior probabilities for three mutually exclusive events and the conditional probabilities of A given each, and we need the posterior probability of B2 given A. The answer is 196, which corresponds to option (A).
We start with the concept: Bayes’ theorem lets us “reverse” conditional probabilities. Here, we know P(A∣Bi) and want P(B2∣A). The key is that the Bi form a partition of the sample space (they are the only possible “causes” of A), so we can compute P(A) using the law of total probability, then apply Bayes’ formula.
-
Identify the given data
- P(B1)=0.25, P(B2)=0.30, P(B3)=0.45
- P(A∣B1)=0.05, P(A∣B2)=0.04, P(A∣B3)=0.03 The events B1,B2,B3 are mutually exclusive and exhaustive (their probabilities sum to 1), so they form a partition.
-
Compute the total probability of A
By the law of total probability:
P(A)=P(B1)P(A∣B1)+P(B2)P(A∣B2)+P(B3)P(A∣B3)
Substitute:
P(A)=(0.25)(0.05)+(0.30)(0.04)+(0.45)(0.03)
Calculate each term:
- 0.25×0.05=0.0125
- 0.30×0.04=0.0120
- 0.45×0.03=0.0135 Sum:
P(A)=0.0125+0.0120+0.0135=0.0380
- Apply Bayes’ theorem for P(B2∣A) Bayes’ theorem states:
P(B2∣A)=P(A)P(B2)P(A∣B2)
Plug in the numbers:
P(B2∣A)=0.03800.30×0.04=0.03800.0120
- Simplify the fraction Divide numerator and denominator by 0.002 (or multiply by 1000 to clear decimals):
0.03800.0120=3812=196
So P(B2∣A)=196.
TipA common pitfall is forgetting to compute P(A) correctly — students sometimes use only the numerator. Always check that the denominator is the total probability of A, not just one term.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
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- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.If P(A)=83, P(A∣B)=P(B∣A)=53, then P(A∩B)+P(B)= (A) 4021 (B) 132 (C) 143 (D) 125
›Reveal solutionSolution
We use the given conditional probabilities to set up equations for P(A∩B) and P(B), then solve and sum them. The result is 4021, which corresponds to option (A).
We are told:
- P(A)=83
- P(A∣B)=53
- P(B∣A)=53
We need P(A∩B)+P(B).
Concept and intuition
Conditional probabilities like P(A∣B) relate the probability of the complement of A given B to the joint probability P(A∩B). Since P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B), we can write an equation linking P(B) and P(A∩B). Similarly, P(B∣A) gives a relation between P(A) and P(A∩B). This lets us solve for the unknowns.
Step-by-step solution
- Use P(B∣A) to find P(A∩B) By definition:
P(B∣A)=P(A)P(B∩A)=53
Since P(B∩A)=P(A)−P(A∩B), we have:
P(A)P(A)−P(A∩B)=53
Substitute P(A)=83:
8383−P(A∩B)=53
Multiply both sides by 83:
83−P(A∩B)=53⋅83=409
So:
P(A∩B)=83−409=4015−409=406=203
- Use P(A∣B) to find P(B) By definition:
P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B)=53
Now P(A∩B)=P(B)−P(A∩B). Substitute P(A∩B)=203:
P(B)P(B)−203=53
Multiply both sides by P(B):
P(B)−203=53P(B)
Bring terms together:
P(B)−53P(B)=203
52P(B)=203
So:
P(B)=203⋅25=4015=83
- Compute the required sum
P(A∩B)+P(B)=203+83=406+4015=4021
TipNotice that P(A)=P(B)=83 here — a nice symmetry that emerges from the given numbers.
Watch outA common mistake is to treat P(A∣B) as 1−P(A∣B) incorrectly — that works only if you adjust carefully. Always go back to the definition P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.Let P=147258369 be a matrix. Three elements of this matrix P are selected at random. A is the event of having the three elements whose sum is odd. B is the event of selecting the three elements which are in a row or column. Then P(A)+P(BA)= (A) 420221 (B) 2117 (C) 2021 (D) 23
›Reveal solutionSolution
We compute the probability that three randomly chosen entries sum to an odd number, then the conditional probability of that event given they lie in a single row or column, and add them. The result simplifies to 2117, which is option (B).
Concept & Intuition
The matrix has 9 entries. We pick 3 of them uniformly at random.
- For event A (odd sum), we need to count how many triples have an odd total. Since odd/even depends only on parity, we first classify the 9 numbers by parity: 1,3,5,7,9 are odd (5 odds); 2,4,6,8 are even (4 evens). The sum of three numbers is odd iff we have an odd number of odd entries among them — i.e., 1 or 3 odds.
- For event B (all in one row or one column), we count triples that lie entirely in a single row (3 rows, each row has 3 entries → 1 triple per row) or entirely in a single column (3 columns, each column has 3 entries → 1 triple per column). That gives 3+3=6 triples.
- Then P(A/B) is the fraction of those 6 triples that also have an odd sum.
We compute both probabilities and add them.
Step-by-step
- Total number of ways to choose 3 entries from 9
(39)=84.
- Count triples with odd sum (event A)
- Case 1: exactly 1 odd, 2 evens Choose 1 odd from 5 odds: (15)=5 Choose 2 evens from 4 evens: (24)=6 Total: 5×6=30 triples.
- Case 2: exactly 3 odds, 0 evens Choose 3 odds from 5 odds: (35)=10 Total: 10 triples.
- So ∣A∣=30+10=40. Hence
P(A)=8440=2110.
- Count triples in a row or column (event B)
- Rows: 3 rows, each row has exactly 1 triple (all three entries). So 3 triples.
- Columns: 3 columns, each column has exactly 1 triple. So 3 triples.
- Total: ∣B∣=6. Hence
P(B)=846=141.
-
Count triples that are both in a row/column AND have odd sum (event A∩B)
Check each row and column for odd sum:
- Row 1: {1,2,3} → sum = 6 (even) → not in A.
- Row 2: {4,5,6} → sum = 15 (odd) → in A.
- Row 3: {7,8,9} → sum = 24 (even) → not in A.
- Column 1: {1,4,7} → sum = 12 (even) → not in A.
- Column 2: {2,5,8} → sum = 15 (odd) → in A.
- Column 3: {3,6,9} → sum = 18 (even) → not in A. So exactly 2 triples (row 2 and column 2) satisfy both. Hence ∣A∩B∣=2.
-
Conditional probability P(A/B)
P(A/B)=∣B∣∣A∩B∣=62=31.
- Add the two probabilities
P(A)+P(A/B)=2110+31=2110+217=2117.
TipA common mistake is to compute P(A/B) using the full sample space instead of restricting to B. Always remember: conditional probability uses only the outcomes in B as the denominator.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.A card is drawn randomly from a well shuffled pack of 52 cards. If A is the event of getting a diamond card and B is the event of getting an ace card, then the probability that exactly one of the events among A and B to occur is (A) 5215 (B) 134 (C) 5217 (D) 135
›Reveal solutionSolution
The probability that exactly one of the events A (diamond) or B (ace) occurs is the sum of their individual probabilities minus twice the probability of both occurring. The result is 5215, which corresponds to option (A).
We want the probability that exactly one of the two events happens — that is, either we draw a diamond that is not an ace, or we draw an ace that is not a diamond. This is a classic "exclusive or" (XOR) situation.
Why this approach works:
If we simply add P(A)+P(B), we count the case where both occur (the ace of diamonds) twice. To get exactly one, we subtract that double-counted overlap once more than usual — hence P(A)+P(B)−2P(A∩B).
-
Identify the probabilities of each event individually.
- There are 13 diamonds in a deck of 52, so P(A)=5213=41.
- There are 4 aces, so P(B)=524=131.
-
Find the probability that both events occur (the intersection).
- Only one card is both a diamond and an ace: the ace of diamonds.
- So P(A∩B)=521.
-
Apply the formula for exactly one event.
- Exactly one of A or B occurs means: (A and not B) or (B and not A).
- The probability is:
P(exactly one)=P(A)+P(B)−2P(A∩B)
- Substitute the values:
5213+524−2⋅521=5213+4−2=5215
- Check against the options.
- 5215 matches option (A).
- For completeness: 134=5216, 5217, and 135=5220 are all different.
TipA quick sanity check: The probability of exactly one is also P(A)+P(B)−2P(A∩B). Many students mistakenly use P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B), which gives "at least one" instead of "exactly one."
Watch outA common pitfall is forgetting to subtract the intersection twice. If you only subtract it once, you get 5216=134, which is option (B) — the probability of at least one, not exactly one.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
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- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.Three persons A, B, C planned to have a running race among themselves. If the probability that A wins the race is thrice that of B and the probability that B wins the race is 23 times that of C, then the difference in probabilities of A and C to win the race is (A) 32 (B) 21 (C) 145 (D) 73
›Reveal solutionSolution
With P(A)=149, P(C)=142, the difference is P(A)−P(C)=21.
Let P(C)=p. Then P(B)=23p and P(A)=3P(B)=29p.
The three probabilities sum to 1 (one of them must win):
29p+23p+p=7p=1 ⇒ p=71.
Hence
P(A)=29⋅71=149,P(C)=71=142.
The required difference is
P(A)−P(C)=149−142=147=21.
✓Final answerThe difference in the winning probabilities of A and C is 21 — option (B).
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-FN1 markMCQQ.If P(BA)=103, P(AB)=54 and P(A∪B)=KP(B), then K1= (A) 4940 (B) 4340 (C) 101100 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to use the definitions of conditional probability to relate P(A∩B) to P(A) and P(B), then express P(A∪B) in terms of P(B) alone. The result is K1=4340.
We are given two conditional probabilities and a relation involving the union. The goal is to find K1, where P(A∪B)=KP(B). This is a problem about linking conditional probabilities to the basic probability of events, so we start by writing down what each conditional means.
Recall: P(A/B)=P(B)P(A∩B) and P(B/A)=P(A)P(A∩B). These are not symmetric — each gives a different ratio. Our job is to use them to find P(A) and P(A∩B) in terms of P(B), then compute P(A∪B).
- From P(A/B) we get P(A∩B) in terms of P(B).
P(A/B)=103⇒P(B)P(A∩B)=103
So
P(A∩B)=103P(B).
- From P(B/A) we get P(A) in terms of P(A∩B).
P(B/A)=54⇒P(A)P(A∩B)=54
Hence
P(A)=45P(A∩B).
- Substitute the expression for P(A∩B) from step 1 into step 2.
P(A)=45⋅103P(B)=4015P(B)=83P(B).
So P(A) is 83 of P(B).
- Now write P(A∪B) using the inclusion-exclusion formula.
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B).
Substitute the expressions we have:
P(A∪B)=83P(B)+P(B)−103P(B).
- Combine the terms over a common denominator. The denominators are 8, 1, and 10. The LCM is 40. So:
83=4015,1=4040,103=4012.
Therefore:
P(A∪B)=(4015+4040−4012)P(B)=4043P(B).
- Compare with the given relation P(A∪B)=KP(B). We have P(A∪B)=4043P(B), so K=4043. Hence
K1=4340.
Watch outA common mistake is to treat P(A/B) and P(B/A) as if they were the same, or to forget that P(A∩B) appears in both but must be expressed consistently. Always write the definition first.
✓Final answerThe value is 4340, which corresponds to option (B).
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.If the probability that a student selected at random from a particular college is good at mathematics is 0.6, then the probability of having two students who are good at mathematics in a group of 8 students of that college standing in front of the college is (A) 5826×32×7 (B) 5626×32×7 (C) 5628×32×7 (D) 5828×32×7
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a binomial trial with n=8, p=0.6. P(X=2)=(28)(0.6)2(0.4)6=5828×32×7, option (D).
Binomial model
Each student is independently good at mathematics with probability p=0.6=53, so q=0.4=52. For n=8 students, the number good at mathematics is binomial, and we want exactly two:
P(X=2)=(28)p2q6=(28)(53)2(52)6.
Simplify
(28)=28,(53)2=5232,(52)6=5626.
P(X=2)=28⋅5232⋅5626=5828⋅32⋅26.
Write 28=22×7:
=5822×7×32×26=5828×32×7.
✓Final answerP(exactly two)=5828×32×7. The correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-18-FN1 markMCQQ.Two balls are drawn at random from a bag containing 5 black balls and 3 white balls. If the random variable X denotes the number of white balls drawn, then the mean of X is (A) 21 (B) 85 (C) 43 (D) 83
›Reveal solutionSolution
The mean (expected value) of the number of white balls drawn when picking two balls without replacement from 5 black and 3 white balls is 43. The correct option is (C).
We are drawing two balls without replacement from a small finite set. The random variable X counts how many white balls appear. The mean (expected value) is just the average number of whites we’d see if we repeated the draw many times.
Key insight: Instead of listing all outcomes and probabilities, we can use the linearity of expectation. Each ball drawn is like a “mini-experiment”: define an indicator for whether the first ball is white, and another for the second. The expected number of whites is simply the sum of the probabilities that each individual draw yields a white ball. This works even though the draws are dependent — expectation adds regardless.
-
Define indicator variables
Let I1=1 if the first ball is white, 0 otherwise.
Let I2=1 if the second ball is white, 0 otherwise.
Then X=I1+I2.
-
Find the probability the first ball is white
Initially there are 3 white balls out of 8 total.
P(I1=1)=83.
- Find the probability the second ball is white By symmetry (or by the law of total probability), the chance the second ball is white is also 83. Why? Because without any information about the first draw, the second ball is equally likely to be any of the 8 original balls. So
P(I2=1)=83.
- Apply linearity of expectation
E[X]=E[I1+I2]=E[I1]+E[I2]=83+83=86=43.
TipA common pitfall is to think the second draw’s probability changes because the first draw removed a ball. But without conditioning on the first result, the second draw still has a 83 chance of being white — symmetry saves us.
Watch outDo not compute the distribution of X from scratch unless you enjoy extra work. The direct method (listing P(X=0),P(X=1),P(X=2)) gives the same answer but is slower. Here, linearity makes it a one-liner.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
ANSWER: C
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- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.Two numbers b and c are chosen at random in succession without replacement from the set {1,2,3,…,9}. Then the probability that x2+bx+c>0, ∀x∈R is (A) 7229 (B) 8132 (C) 14345 (D) 12582
›Reveal solutionSolution
The condition x2+bx+c>0 for all real x is equivalent to the discriminant b2−4c<0. Counting ordered pairs (b,c) from {1,…,9} without replacement that satisfy b2<4c gives 29 favorable outcomes out of 72 total, so the probability is 7229, which is option (A).
Why this approach works
A quadratic x2+bx+c that is always positive (for every real x) must have no real roots and open upward. Since the coefficient of x2 is 1>0, the condition reduces to the discriminant being negative: b2−4c<0, i.e. b2<4c.
We are choosing b and c without replacement from {1,…,9}, so each ordered pair (b,c) with b=c is equally likely. The total number of such ordered pairs is 9×8=72. We just need to count how many of them satisfy b2<4c.
Step-by-step counting
1. Understand the inequality
We need b2<4c. Since c is an integer from 1 to 9, rewrite as c>4b2. For each b, we count the number of c values (different from b) that are strictly greater than b2/4.
2. Compute for each b
- b=1: b2/4=0.25, so c>0.25 means c≥1. All c from 1 to 9 except c=1 (since b=c) work. That gives 8 choices.
- b=2: b2/4=1, so c>1 means c≥2. Excluding c=2 leaves {3,4,5,6,7,8,9} → 7 choices.
- b=3: b2/4=2.25, so c>2.25 means c≥3. Excluding c=3 leaves {4,5,6,7,8,9} → 6 choices.
- b=4: b2/4=4, so c>4 means c≥5. Excluding c=4 (which isn't in this set anyway) gives {5,6,7,8,9} → 5 choices.
- b=5: b2/4=6.25, so c>6.25 means c≥7. Excluding c=5 (not in set) gives {7,8,9} → 3 choices.
- b=6: b2/4=9, so c>9 means c≥10, but max c is 9. No c works → 0 choices.
- b=7: b2/4=12.25, so c>12.25 impossible → 0 choices.
- b=8: b2/4=16, impossible → 0 choices.
- b=9: b2/4=20.25, impossible → 0 choices.
3. Sum the favorable outcomes
Total favorable ordered pairs = 8+7+6+5+3=29.
4. Compute probability
Total ordered pairs without replacement = 9×8=72.
Probability = 7229.
Watch outA common mistake is to treat the selection as with replacement (giving 92=81 total outcomes) or to forget that b and c must be different. The problem explicitly says "without replacement," so ordered pairs with b=c are not allowed.
TipNotice that for b≥6, b2/4≥9, so no c in {1,…,9} can satisfy c>b2/4. This immediately cuts the work to b=1 through 5.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-19-FN1 markMCQQ.If A and B are two events of a random experiment such that P(A)=32, P(B)=154 and P(A∩B)=51, then 195[P(B∣(A∪B))+P(A∪B)]= (A) 9 (B) 11 (C) 13 (D) 15
›Reveal solutionSolution
This problem requires us to calculate probabilities of various event combinations (complement, intersection, union) and a conditional probability using fundamental set theory identities. We then substitute these values into the given expression to find the final numerical result. The final value is 11.
To solve this problem, we need to systematically break down the given expression and calculate each probability term using the fundamental rules of probability and set theory. The key is to correctly apply the formulas for complements, unions, intersections, and conditional probabilities, often using set identities to simplify complex event descriptions.
Here's a step-by-step approach:
-
Determine P(A) from P(A):
The probability of an event A and its complement A always sum to 1.
P(A)+P(A)=1
Given P(A)=32, we can find P(A):
P(A)=1−P(A)=1−32=31.
-
Determine P(A∩B) using P(A∩B):
The event A can be partitioned into two mutually exclusive events: A∩B (A and B both occur) and A∩B (A occurs, but B does not).
P(A)=P(A∩B)+P(A∩B)
We are given P(A∩B)=51 and we found P(A)=31.
So, P(A∩B)=P(A)−P(A∩B)=31−51.
To subtract these fractions, we find a common denominator, which is 15:
P(A∩B)=155−153=152.
-
Calculate P(A∪B):
The probability of the union of two events A and B is given by the addition rule.
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)
We have P(A)=31, P(B)=154 (given), and P(A∩B)=152 (from Step 2).
P(A∪B)=31+154−152.
Using a common denominator of 15:
P(A∪B)=155+154−152=155+4−2=157.
This is the first part of the sum inside the square root.
-
Prepare for P(B∣(A∪B)): Identify the intersection term:
The conditional probability P(X∣Y) is defined as P(Y)P(X∩Y). Here, X=B and Y=(A∪B).
So, we need to find P(B∩(A∪B)).
Using the distributive property of set intersection over union:
B∩(A∪B)=(B∩A)∪(B∩B).
The event B∩B means that event B occurs AND event B does NOT occur, which is impossible. Thus, B∩B=∅.
So, B∩(A∪B)=(B∩A)∪∅=B∩A.
Therefore, P(B∩(A∪B))=P(A∩B).
From Step 2, we know P(A∩B)=152. This is the numerator for our conditional probability.
-
Prepare for P(B∣(A∪B)): Calculate P(B):
Similar to Step 1, we use the complement rule for event B.
P(B)=1−P(B).
Given P(B)=154:
P(B)=1−154=1515−4=1511.
-
Prepare for P(B∣(A∪B)): Calculate P(A∪B):
This is the denominator for our conditional probability. We use the addition rule for A and B.
P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)−P(A∩B)
We have P(A)=31 (from Step 1), P(B)=1511 (from Step 5), and P(A∩B)=51 (given).
P(A∪B)=31+1511−51.
Using a common denominator of 15:
P(A∪B)=155+1511−153=155+11−3=1513.
-
Calculate P(B∣(A∪B)):
Now we have both the numerator and the denominator for the conditional probability.
P(X∣Y)=P(Y)P(X∩Y)
P(B∣(A∪B))=P(A∪B)P(B∩(A∪B))=P(A∪B)P(A∩B).
Substituting the values from Step 4 and Step 6:
P(B∣(A∪B))=13/152/15=132.
This is the second part of the sum inside the square root.
-
Calculate the sum inside the square root:
We need to find P(B∣(A∪B))+P(A∪B).
From Step 7, P(B∣(A∪B))=132.
From Step 3, P(A∪B)=157.
Sum =132+157.
To add these fractions, find a common denominator, which is 13×15=195.
Sum =13×152×15+15×137×13=19530+19591=19530+91=195121.
-
Calculate the final expression:
The expression we need to evaluate is 195[P(B∣(A∪B))+P(A∪B)].
Substitute the sum we just calculated:
195×195121.
The 195 in the numerator and denominator cancel out:
121.
121=11.
The final value is 11. Comparing this with the given options, it matches option (B).
✓Final answerThe value of the expression is 11.
-
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.If 4 letters are selected at random from the letters of the word PROBABILITY, then the probability of getting a combination of letters in which atleast one letter is repeated is (A) 17043 (B) 6119 (C) 18457 (D) 15529
›Reveal solutionSolution
The multiset PROBABILITY has 9 distinct letters (with B and I each twice). Total 4-letter selections =183; those with a repeat =57, so the probability is 18357=6119, option (B).
Letters of PROBABILITY: P,R,O,B,A,B,I,L,I,T,Y — 11 letters, 9 distinct types, with B and I appearing twice each.
Step 1 — Total number of 4-letter selections (order does not matter).
Count by repetition pattern:
- All four distinct: (49)=126.
- Exactly one repeated pair (B or I) plus two other distinct letters: 2×(28)=2×28=56.
- Two repeated pairs, i.e. {B,B,I,I}: 1 way.
Total=126+56+1=183.
Step 2 — Selections with all distinct letters.
(49)=126.
Step 3 — Selections with at least one repeated letter.
183−126=57.
Step 4 — Probability.
P=18357=6119.
✓Final answerThe required probability is 6119 — option (B).
ANSWER: B
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