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Probability - Toughest questions


whitelight

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1.

 

The probabilities of A, B, C solving a problem are 1/3, 2/7, and 3/8

respectively. If all the three try to solve the problem simultaneously, fine

the probability that a) exactly one of them solves the problem

 

 

ans: 25/26

 

2.

 

The odds against a husband who is 45 years old, living till he is 70 are

7:5 and the odds against his wife who is now 36, living till she is 61

are 5:3 . Find the probability that a) the couple will alive 25 years hence

b) exactly one of them will be alive 25 years hence c) none of them will

be alive 25 years hence d) at least one of them will be alive 25 years

hence

Ans: a)5/32 b)23/48 c)35/96 d)61/96

 

3.

 

Two persons A and B throw a die alternately till one of them gets a three

and wins the game. Find their respective probability of winning, if A

begins.

Ans: 6/11&5/11

 

4.

 

Two cards are drawn from a well shuffled pack of 52 cards without

replacement. Find the probability that neither a jack nor a card of spade

is drawn.

Ans: 105/221

 

 

5.

 

A and B toss a coin alternately till one of them tosses a head and wins

the game. If A

starts the game , find their respective probability of winning.

Ans: 2/3&1/3

 

 

6.

 

A and B appear for an interview for two posts. The probability of A’s

selection is 1/3 and that of B ‘s selection is 2/5 . Find the probability

that only one of them will be selected.

Ans: 7/5

 

 

 

Please try to explain the solution as well... Thanx a tonn...

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Q2) don't agree with ans.

husband p living is P(H) = 7/12, and for wife P(W) = 5/8

a) p=7/12*5/8 = 35/96

b) p= 7/12*3/8+5/12*5/8 = 23/48 (agree with this one)

c) p=5/12*3/8 = 5/32

d) p=1-©

Q3) P(A) = 1/6 + 5/6*5/6*1/6 + 5/6*5/6*5/6*5/6*1/6+...

this is an infinite GP with a=1/6 and r=25/36 so S=a/(1-r)

and P(A) = 6/11 and P(B) = 1-P(A) = 5/11

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Thankont, for question # 2 i was also skeptical of the answers, however, if take the probabilities of husb and wife to 5/12 and 3/8, respectively, the answers will match.

 

Plz check and let everyone know what does it mean that - odds against ...

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Hi to everybody...

 

If anyone wants to post some tough questions on probability (only), please continue the serial number of questions starting from 7; and the other person should post accordingly. This will create lesser confusion in this thread...

 

Thanx.

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13 spades and 4 jacks one is common so total 16 cards from which we can not draw!

the probability that neither a jack nor a card of spade is drawn = 36C2/52C2 = 36*35/52*51

= 3 * 35 / 13 * 17 = 105/221

 

1.

4. Two cards are drawn from a well shuffled pack of 52 cards without

replacement. Find the probability that neither a jack nor a card of spade

is drawn.

 

Ans: 105/221

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ravindra_iit, u banged the question 4 - this shows we really need to stick to basics for getting the solutions...

 

abt the source - one of my friends e-mailed me his problems; i posted those which i could not solve...

 

you are right that prob cannot be greater than 1, in GMAT...

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  • 1 month later...

1. If all the three try to solve the problem simultaneously, fine

the probability that a) exactly one of them solves the problem:

so the answer is:

The probabilities of A, B, C solving a problem are 1/3, 2/7, and 3/8

respectively. for only one of them solving the problem only one answers correctly so:

(1/3)*(1-2/7 [probability for wrong answer])*(1-3/8)+(1-1/3)*(2/7)*(1-3/8)+(1-1/3)*(1-2/7)*(3/8)=25/56

 

2. The odds against a husband who is 45 years old, living till he is 70 are

7:5 and the odds against his wife who is now 36, living till she is 61

are 5:3 . Find the probability that a) the couple will alive 25 years hence

 

housband: 7:5 [(7/12) against (5/12) infavor)

wife : 5:3 [(5/8) against (3/8) infavor)

answer for one: (3/8)*(5/12)=5/32

 

exactly one of them will be alive 25 years hence :

(5/12)*(5/8)+(3/8)*(7/12)=23/48

 

none of them will be alive 25 years hence:

(7/12)*(5/8)=35/96

 

at least one of them will be alive 25 years hence:

it is (only one will live)+(both of them will live)=23/48+5/32=61/96

 

3. Two persons A and B throw a die alternately till one of them gets a three

and wins the game. Find their respective probability of winning, if A

begins.

answer: A has 5 options to win (b draws all other numbers except 3) ; b has 5 win as well : and there an option to win (get 3) on the first time when A gets number 3 first draw.

hence: A has probability of winning 6/11 B 5/11

 

5.A and B toss a coin alternately till one of them tosses a head and wins

the game. If A

starts the game , find their respective probability of winning.

 

answer: A has 1 option to win after B toses tail

B has 1 option to win after A toses tail

and then there is the first toss which can grant A a win.

hence: there are 3 options of winning

A: 2/3 B:1/3

 

A and B appear for an interview for two posts. The probability of A’s

selection is 1/3 and that of B ‘s selection is 2/5 . Find the probability

that only one of them will be selected.

 

answer: only one wins hence one wins other losses (probability to loss = (1- probability to win) than:

(1/3)*(1-2/5)+(1-1/3)*(2/5)=(1/3)*(3/5)+(2/3)*(2/5)=7/15

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