Solved Examples on Probability

Illustration 1: there are four machines and it is known that exactly two of them are faulty. They are tested one by one in a random order till both the faulty machines are identified. Then what is the probability that only two tests are needed? (1998)

Solution: the probability that only two tests are required is the same as the probability that the first machine tested is faulty x probability that the second machine tested is faulty

= 2/4 . 1/3

= 1/6.

Illustration 2: A and B are two candidates seeking admission in IIT. The probability that A is selected is 0.5 and the probability that both A and B are selected is almost 0.3. Is it possible that the probability of B getting selected is 0.9?

Solution: Let P (A) and P (B) be the probabilities of selection of A and B respectively.

P (A) = 0.5, P (A∩B) ≤ 0.3

P(A∪B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A∩B) ≤ 1

P(B) ≤ 1 + P(A∩B) – P(A)

         ≤ 1 + 0.3 – 0.5 ≤ 0.8

Hence, the probability of selection of B cannot be 0.9.

Illustration 3: In a test an examinee either guesses or copies or knows the answer to a multiple choice question with four choices. The probability that he makes a guess is 1/3 and the probability that he copies the answer is 1/6. The probability that his answer is correct given that he copied it is 1/8. Find the probability that he knew the answer to the questions given that he correctly answered it.(1991)

Solution: Let us use the following symbols for denoting the various options

G for guesses

C for copies

K denotes the possibility that the examinee knows

R if the answer is right

So, P(G) = 1/3

P(C) = 1/6

P(K) = 1- (1/3 + 1/6) =1/2

Now R = (R∩G) ∪ (R∩C) ∪ (R∩K)

P(R) = P(G) P(R/G) + P(C) P(R/C) + P(K) P(R/K) … (1)

Now, P(R/G) = 1/4

P(R/C) =1/8

P(R/K) =1

Putting this in equation (1), we obtain

P(R) = 1/3. 1/4 + 1/6.1/8 + 3/6. 1

         = 1/12 +1/48 + 3/6

         = 29/48

Hence, the required probability = P(K∩R)/ P(R)

                                                = 24/29