Probability

Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Contents:
 Probability Concepts

 Coin

 Dice

 Cards

 Color Balls

 General Questions
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Probability Concepts:
 Sample Space: Set of all possible outcomes of a random experiment.

E.g. 1 Coin => S = {H,T} = 2

2 Coin => S = {HH, HT, TH, TT} = 4

 Event: Subset of sample space.

E.g. Getting an odd outcome in throwing dice.

A = {1, 3, 5} = 3

 Probability: Number of possible outcomes/Total outcomes

 !: Factorial

E.g. 3! = 3*2*1 = 6

E.g. 4! / 3! = 4*3! / 3! = 4
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Probability Concepts:
 Combination: without arrangement.

𝒏!
𝒏𝑪𝒓 =
𝒏 − 𝒓 ! × 𝒓!

4! 4! 4×3×2!
E.g. 4𝐶2 = = = =6
4−2 ! ×2! 2 ! ×2! 2 ! ×2×1

 Shortcut Trick:

1. If base is 2: Take half of ‘n’ and multiply with ‘n-1’

𝐸. 𝑔. 4𝐶2 = 2 × 3 = 6

2. If base is 1: Same as ‘n’

𝐸. 𝑔. 4𝐶1 = 4

3. If base is ‘n’: Result is ‘1’

𝐸. 𝑔. 4𝐶4 = 1

4. If base is too large,

𝐸. 𝑔. 8𝐶6 = 8𝐶2 = 4 × 7 = 28

5. OR means addition and AND means multiplication.

Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Coin:
 Total outcomes: (𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒆)𝑵𝒐.𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒊𝒏

E.g. 1 coin is tossed = (𝟐)𝟏 = 𝟐 = {𝑯, 𝑻}

E.g. 2 coins are tossed = (𝟐)𝟐 = 𝟒 = {𝑯𝑯, 𝑯𝑻, 𝑻𝑯, 𝑻𝑻}

Q_1: If two coins are tossed simultaneously, find the probability of getting exactly one head.
Sol: Total outcomes =>𝟐𝟐 = 𝟒
Possible outcomes => 2
Probability => 2/4 = 1/2

Q_2: If two coins are tossed simultaneously, find the probability of getting at least one head.
Sol: Total outcomes =>𝟐𝟐 = 𝟒
Possible outcomes => {HH, HT, TH} = 3
Probability => 3/4

Q_3: If three coins are tossed simultaneously, find the probability of getting at least two heads.
Sol: Total outcomes =>𝟐𝟑 = 𝟖 Possible outcomes =>𝟑𝑪𝟐 + 𝟑𝑪𝟑 = 𝟏. 𝟓 × 𝟐 + 𝟏 = 𝟒
Possible outcomes => at least two heads = 2H or 3H Probability => 4/8 = 1/2
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Coin:
Q_4: If three coins are tossed simultaneously, find the probability of getting no heads.
Sol: Total outcomes =>𝟐𝟑 = 𝟖
Possible outcomes => {TTT} = 1
Probability => 1/8

Q_5: If three coins are tossed simultaneously, find the probability of getting at least one head.
Sol: Total outcomes =>𝟐𝟑 = 𝟖
Possible outcomes => at least one head = 1H or 2H or 3H
Possible outcomes =>𝟑𝑪𝟏 + 𝟑𝑪𝟐 + 𝟑𝑪𝟑 = 𝟑 + 𝟏. 𝟓 × 𝟐 + 𝟏 = 𝟕
Probability => 7/8

Q_6: What is the probability of getting at least 6 heads if 8 coins are tossed simultaneously?
Sol: Total outcomes =>𝟐𝟖 = 𝟐𝟓𝟔
Possible outcomes => at least six head = 6H or 7H or 8H
Possible outcomes =>𝟖𝑪𝟔 + 𝟖𝑪𝟕 + 𝟖𝑪𝟖 = 𝟖𝑪𝟐 + 𝟖𝑪𝟏 + 𝟖𝑪𝟖 = 𝟒 × 𝟕 + 𝟖 + 𝟏 = 𝟑𝟕
Probability => 37/256
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Dice:
 Total outcomes: (𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒆)𝑵𝒐.𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒆

E.g. 1 dice is thrown = (𝟔)𝟏 = 𝟔

E.g. 2 dices are thrown = (𝟔)𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔

Q_7: A dice is thrown once. What is the probability of getting a number greater than 4?
Sol: Total outcomes =>𝟔𝟏 = 𝟔
Possible outcomes => 5, 6 = 2
Probability => 2/6 = 1/3

Q_8: A dice is thrown once. What is the probability of getting a prime number?
Sol: Total outcomes => 𝟔𝟏 = 𝟔
Possible outcomes => 2, 3, 5 = 3
Probability => 3/6 = 1/2

Q_9: A dice is thrown once. What is the probability that the number shown on the dice is divisible by 2.
Sol: Total outcomes => 𝟔𝟏 = 𝟔 Probability => 3/6 = 1/2
Possible outcomes => 2, 4, 6 = 3
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Double Dice:
 Shortcut Trick: For sum related problems, follow U pattern.

2 12
1
3 11
2
4 10 3
5 9
4
6 8
5
7
6

Q_10: A pair of dice is rolled. Find the probability of getting a sum a) 6 , b) 10.
Sol: a) Total outcomes =>𝟔𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔 b) Total outcomes =>𝟔𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔
Possible outcomes => 5 Possible outcomes => 3
Probability => 5/36 Probability => 3/36 = 1/12

Q_11: A pair of dice is rolled. Find the probability of getting a number greater than 9.
Sol: a) Total outcomes =>𝟔𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔 Possible outcomes => 3 + 2 + 1 = 6

Numbers => 10, 11, 12 Probability => 6/36 = 1/6

Prof. Shashant Jaykar 2 12
1

Double Dice:
3 11
2
4 10 3
5 9
4
6 8
5
7
6

Q_12: A pair of dice is rolled. Find the probability of getting a sum as a prime number.
Sol: Total outcomes =>𝟔𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔
Numbers => 2, 3, 5, 7, 11
Possible outcomes => 1 + 2 + 4 + 6 + 2 = 15
Probability => 15/36 = 5/12

Q_13: A pair of dice is rolled. Find the probability of getting a sum of 8 or getting an even number on both the dices.
Sol: Total outcomes =>𝟔𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔
a) Possible outcomes => sum of 8 = 5
b) Possible outcomes => {2,2}{2,4}{2,6}{4,2}{4,4}{4,6}{6,2}{6,4}{6,6} = 9 – 3 = 6
Combined possible outcomes => 5 + 6 = 11
Probability => 11/36
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Double Dice:
Q_14: A pair of dice is rolled. Find the probability of getting a product of numbers on their upper face is 12.
Sol: Total outcomes =>𝟔𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔
Possible outcomes => {2,6}{6,2}{3,4}{4,3}= 4
Probability => 4/36 = 1/9

Q_15: A pair of dice is rolled. Find the probability that both the dices are not having the same number.
Sol: Total outcomes =>𝟔𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔
Possible outcomes => 36 - having same number = 36 - {1,1}{2,2}{3,3}{4,4}{5,5}{6,6} = 30
Probability => 30/36 = 5/6
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Cards: Cards (52)

 Total outcomes: 52
Red (26) Black (26)

Diamond Heart Spade Clubs

(13) (13) (13) (13)

 Face Cards: K, Q & J = 3 * 4 = 12

 Honors Cards: A, K, Q & J = 4 * 4 = 16

Q_16: A card is drawn at random from a pack of 52 cards. Find the probability that the card is 1) Black King 2) Either a black
card or a king.
Sol: Total outcomes => 𝟓𝟐𝑪𝟏 = 𝟓𝟐
1) Black king
Possible outcomes =>𝟐𝑪𝟏 = 𝟐
Probability => 2/52 = 1/26
2) Either a black card or a king
Possible outcomes =>𝟐𝟔𝑪𝟏 + 𝟒𝑪𝟏 − 𝟐𝑪𝟏 = 𝟐6 + 4 – 2 = 28
Probability => 28/52 = 7/13
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Cards:
Q_17: A card is drawn at random from a pack of 52 cards. Find the probability that the card is 1) not a diamond card 2) black
card 3) not a black card 4) spade or an ace.
Sol: Total outcomes => 𝟓𝟐𝑪𝟏 = 𝟓𝟐
3) Not a black card
1) Not a diamond card
Possible outcomes =>𝟐𝟔𝑪𝟏 = 26
Possible outcomes =>𝟑𝟗𝑪𝟏 = 𝟑𝟗
Probability => 26/52 = 1/2
Probability => 39/52
4) Spade or an ace
2) black card
Possible outcomes =>𝟏𝟑𝑪𝟏 + 𝟒𝑪𝟏 − 𝟏𝑪𝟏 = 𝟏𝟑 + 4 – 1 = 16
Possible outcomes =>𝟐𝟔𝑪𝟏 = 26
Probability => 16/52 = 4/13
Probability => 26/52 = 1/2

Q_18: What is the probability that two ace cards are taken out of a pack of 52 cards?
Sol: Total outcomes => 𝟓𝟐𝑪𝟐 = 𝟐𝟔 × 𝟓𝟏 = 𝟏𝟑𝟐𝟔
Possible outcomes =>𝟒𝑪𝟐 = 𝟐 × 𝟑 = 𝟔
Probability => 6/1326 = 1/221
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Cards:
Q_19: Two cards are drawn at random from a pack of 52 cards. What is the probability that it has 1) exactly one queen 2) both
the aces 3) one king and one queen 4) no honors card.
Sol: Total outcomes => 𝟓𝟐𝑪𝟐 = 𝟏𝟑𝟐𝟔
1) Exactly one queen
Possible outcomes => 𝟒𝑪𝟏 × 𝟒𝟖𝑪𝟏 = 𝟒 × 𝟒𝟖 = 𝟏𝟗𝟐
Probability => 192/1326 = 32/221
2) both the aces
Possible outcomes =>𝟒𝑪𝟐 = 𝟐 × 𝟑 = 𝟔
Probability => 6/1326 = 1/221
3) One king and one queen
Possible outcomes =>𝟒𝑪𝟏 × 𝟒𝑪𝟏 = 𝟒 × 𝟒 = 𝟏𝟔
Probability => 16/1326 = 8/663
4) No honors card
Possible outcomes =>(𝟓𝟐 − 𝟏𝟔)𝑪𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔𝑪𝟐 = 𝟏𝟖 × 𝟑𝟓 = 𝟔𝟑𝟎
Probability => 630/1326 = 105/221
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Color Balls:
Q_20: One bag contains 7 white and 9 black balls. Two balls are taken randomly, what is the probability that one ball is white
and one ball is black.
Sol: Total outcomes => (𝟕 + 𝟗)𝑪𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝑪𝟐 = 𝟖 × 𝟏𝟓 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎
Possible outcomes => 𝟕𝑪𝟏 × 𝟗𝑪𝟏 = 𝟕 × 𝟗 = 𝟔𝟑
Probability => 63/120 = 21/40

Q_21: One bag contains 5 white, 7 red, 4 black and 2 blue balls. One ball is taken at random, what is the probability that ball
drawn is white or blue?
Sol: Total outcomes => (𝟓 + 𝟕 + 𝟒 + 𝟐)𝑪𝟏 = 𝟏𝟖𝑪𝟏 = 𝟏𝟖
Possible outcomes => 𝟓𝑪𝟏 + 𝟐𝑪𝟏 = 𝟓 + 𝟐 = 𝟕
Probability => 7/18

Q_22: One bag contains 5 white, 3 red and 4 green balls. Three balls are taken at random, what is the probability that ball has
different colors.
𝟏𝟐!
Sol: Total outcomes => (𝟓 + 𝟑 + 𝟒)𝟑 = 𝟏𝟐𝑪𝟑 = = 𝟐𝟐𝟎
𝟑!×𝟗!

Possible outcomes => 𝟓𝑪𝟑 × 𝟑𝑪𝟏 × 𝟒𝑪𝟏 = 𝟓 × 𝟑 × 𝟒 = 𝟔𝟎 Hence Probability => 60/220
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

Color Balls:
Q_23: One bag contains 5 yellow, 3 red and 4 green balls. Three balls are taken at random, what is the probability that 1) exact
two ball have green colors 2) no ball is of yellow color.
Sol:
𝟏𝟐!
Total outcomes => (𝟓 + 𝟑 + 𝟒)𝟑 = 𝟏𝟐𝑪𝟑 = = 𝟐𝟐𝟎
𝟑!×𝟗!

1) exact two ball have green colors

Possible outcomes => 𝟒𝑪𝟐 × (𝟏𝟐 − 𝟒)𝑪𝟏 = 𝟒𝑪𝟐 × 𝟖𝑪𝟏 = 𝟐 × 𝟑 × 𝟖 = 𝟒𝟖
Probability => 48/220 = 12/55
2) No ball is of yellow color
That means ball is of red and green color
𝟕!
Possible outcomes => 𝟕𝑪𝟑 = = 𝟑𝟓
𝟑!×𝟒!

Probability => 35/220 = 7/44

Prof. Shashant Jaykar

General Questions:
Q_24: Rahul and Rajiv appear for an interview for 2 vacancy. The probability of Rahul’s selection is 1/3 and that of Rajiv’s
selection is 1/5. Find the probability that 1) only one of them will be selected, 2) none of them selected.
Sol:
Name Selection Not selection
Rahul 1/3 2/3
Rajiv 1/5 4/5

1) Only one of them will be selected

𝟏 𝟒 𝟏 𝟐
Probability=> ( )𝑪𝟏 × ( )𝑪𝟏 +( )𝑪𝟏 × ( )𝑪𝟏
𝟑 𝟓 𝟓 𝟑

𝟏 𝟒 𝟏 𝟐 𝟔 𝟐
Probability => × + × = =
𝟑 𝟓 𝟓 𝟑 𝟏𝟓 𝟓

2) None of them selected

𝟐 𝟒
Probability=> ( )𝑪𝟏 × ( )𝑪𝟏
𝟑 𝟓

𝟐 𝟒 𝟖
Probability => × =
𝟑 𝟓 𝟏𝟓
Prof. Shashant Jaykar

General Questions:
Q_25: The probability of Ram winning the prize is 1/5 and that of mohan is 3/4. Find the probability that both will win the prize.
Sol:
Name Selection Not selection
Ram 1/5 4/5
Mohan 3/4 1/4

𝟏 𝟑
Probability=> ( )𝑪𝟏 × ( )𝑪𝟏
𝟓 𝟒

𝟏 𝟑 𝟑
Probability => × =
𝟓 𝟒 𝟐𝟎