University of Port Harcourt

School of Public Health

Assignment on Probability.

1. A number is selected at random from the set of integers 1 to 20. Find

the probability that the number is a multiple of 2 or a multiple of 3. Is it
a mutually exclusive event?

Solution:

Let Multiples of 2 be A: 2, 4, 8, 16 (21, 22, 23, 24); P (A) = 4/20 = 1/5

Let Multiples of 3 be B: 3, 9 (31, 32); P (B) = 2/20 = 1/10

P (A) and P (B) are mutually exclusive as you cannot pick a multiple of 2 at
the same time as a multiple of 3.

That is, P (A and B) = 0

Therefore, P (A or B) = P (A) + P (B) = 1/5 + 1/10 = 3/10.

2. A bag contains 6 red balls, 12 white balls and 9 green balls. A ball is
selected at random. What is the probability that it is one of the
following?

Solution:

Total number of possible outcomes = (6 red + 12 white + 9 green) balls =

27 balls.

a. A white ball = P (white ball) = 12/27 = 4/9

b. A green ball = P (green ball) = 9/27 = 1/3

c. Not a green ball = 1 – P (green ball) = 1 – 1/3 = 2/3

d. A red or green ball = P (red or green) = P (red ball) + P (green ball)

= 6/27 + 9/27 = 15/27 = 5/9.

3. Two fair dice are tossed, find the probability that:

i. The sum of the outcomes is at least 10

ii. The sum of the outcomes is less than or equal to 11.
Solution:

Matrix of possible outcomes for the sum of the toss of a pair of dice

1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Total number of possible outcomes = 6 x 6 = 36.

i. Sum is at least 10 (area shaded gold)

1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
P (sum is at least 10) = 6/36 = 1/6

ii. Sum is less than or equal to 11 (area shaded green)

1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
P (sum is ≤ 11) = 1 – P (sum is = 12) = 1 – 1/36 = 35/36.