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Theoretical probability of simple events

Learning goals

  • Defines the sample space for a simple experiment.
  • Computes theoretical probabilities from equally likely outcomes when appropriate.
  • Uses complements to simplify probability calculations.
  • Checks that probabilities lie between 0 and 1.

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Theoretical probability of simple events 1
Determine whether each situation is a random experiment. Explain briefly. a) Toss a thumbtack and record whether it lands point-up or on its side. b) Max's completed test has already been graded using a fixed answer key and grading rule. Reveal Max's letter grade. c) Ms. Rivera uses a random number generator to select one student from her class.

Hints

- Ask whether the process itself can produce more than one possible outcome under the stated conditions. - Distinguish an outcome that is already fixed but unknown from one generated by a random process. - Check whether the selection procedure in each situation actually uses chance.

Solution

1. Tossing the thumbtack is a random experiment because there are multiple possible outcomes and the outcome of a toss is not known in advance. 2. Revealing Max's grade is not a random experiment because the grade was already fixed by the completed test and the grading rule before it was revealed. 3. Ms. Rivera's selection is a random experiment because the random number generator determines which student is selected from several possible outcomes.

Answer

a) Yes. The thumbtack toss has an uncertain outcome. b) No. Max's grade is already fixed before it is revealed. c) Yes. The random selection can produce different student outcomes.
Theoretical probability of simple events 2
For each process, decide whether it is a random experiment in the school-mathematics sense. Briefly justify your answer. a) Heating pure water to \(100\,^\circ\text{C}\) at standard atmospheric pressure to see whether it boils. b) Rolling a standard six-sided die. c) Drawing one numbered ball from an opaque bag containing five balls. d) Calculating the circumference of a circle with radius \(r = 3\,\text{cm}\).

Hints

- Is the outcome uncertain before the process is carried out? - Are the possible outcomes known? - Distinguish a chance process from a result fixed by a physical condition or mathematical rule.

Solution

1. A random experiment has a known set of possible outcomes, but the individual outcome cannot be predicted with certainty before the experiment is performed. 2. a) This is not a random experiment in the intended model. Under the stated physical conditions, the water boils at \(100\,^\circ\text{C}\), so the outcome is treated as predictable. 3. b) This is a random experiment. The possible outcomes are \(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6\), but the result of a particular roll is uncertain. 4. c) This is a random experiment. The possible numbered balls are known, but the selected ball is uncertain before the draw. 5. d) This is not a random experiment. The circumference is determined by \(C = 2\pi r\), so the result follows from the given radius.

Answer

a) Not a random experiment; the outcome is treated as physically determined. b) Random experiment; the roll is uncertain among known outcomes. c) Random experiment; the selected ball is uncertain among known outcomes. d) Not a random experiment; the result is determined by a formula.
Theoretical probability of simple events 3
One ball is drawn at random from the urn. Match each event with exactly one term: **certain**, **possible but not certain**, or **impossible**. a) You draw a red ball. b) You draw a green ball. c) You draw a ball that is red or blue.
Figure for problem 536175

Hints

- Could the event happen on one draw and fail on another? - What would have to be true for an event never to happen?

Solution

1. Red balls are present, but a blue ball could be drawn instead. Event a) is possible but not certain. 2. No green balls are present, so event b) is impossible. 3. Every ball is either red or blue, so event c) is certain.

Answer

a) Possible but not certain b) Impossible c) Certain
Theoretical probability of simple events 4
A spinner has \(6\) equal sections: \(1\) red, \(2\) blue, and \(3\) green. Find the probability that the spinner does not land on green.

Hints

- Combine all sections that are not green. - Compare that favorable count with all \(6\) equal sections.

Solution

1. There are \(1+2=3\) sections that are not green. 2. Therefore, \(P(\text{not green})=\frac{3}{6}=\frac{1}{2}\).

Answer

\(\frac{1}{2}=50\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 5
On a probability scale from \(0\) to \(1\), what do the endpoints mean? a) What kind of event has probability \(0\)? b) What kind of event has probability \(1\)?

Hints

- Think of \(0\) as no chance within the probability model. - Think of \(1\) as the full chance that the event occurs.

Solution

1. Probability \(0\) represents an event that cannot occur in the model. 2. Probability \(1\) represents an event that must occur in the model.

Answer

a) An impossible event b) A certain event
Theoretical probability of simple events 6
Three events have probabilities \(0.08\), \(0.48\), and \(0.93\). Match each probability with the best description: very unlikely, roughly equally likely to occur or not occur, or very likely.

Hints

- Compare each decimal with the benchmark probabilities \(0\), \(0.5\), and \(1\). - “Roughly equally likely” corresponds to a probability near one-half.

Solution

1. A probability close to \(0\) is very unlikely, so \(0.08\) is very unlikely. 2. A probability close to \(0.5\) is roughly equally likely to occur or not occur, so \(0.48\) fits that description. 3. A probability close to \(1\) is very likely, so \(0.93\) is very likely.

Answer

\(0.08\): very unlikely \(0.48\): roughly equally likely to occur or not occur \(0.93\): very likely
Theoretical probability of simple events 7
A bag holds red and blue marbles, with at least one of each color. One marble is drawn. Classify each event as impossible, certain, or possible but not certain. a) Drawing green. b) Drawing red or blue. c) Drawing red.

Hints

- Which event has no matching marble? - Which event includes every marble in the bag? - Could the remaining event happen sometimes but not always?

Solution

1. There are no green marbles, so a) is impossible. 2. Every marble is red or blue, so b) is certain. 3. Some marbles are red but some are blue, so c) is possible but not certain.

Answer

a) Impossible. b) Certain. c) Possible but not certain.
Theoretical probability of simple events 8
Which marked probability shows an event that is just as likely to happen as not happen?
Figure for problem 559724

Hints

- What probability represents equal chances of happening and not happening? - Find that value on the marked number line.

Solution

1. An event equally likely to occur or not occur has probability \(\frac{1}{2}=0.5\). 2. Marker B is at \(0.5\) on the probability scale.

Answer

Marker B.
Theoretical probability of simple events 9
An event has probability \(0.85\). Is it closer to impossible or to certain on the probability scale? Explain.

Hints

- What values mark impossible and certain events? - Which end of the probability scale is nearer to \(0.85\)?

Solution

1. Impossible has probability \(0\), and certain has probability \(1\). 2. The distance from \(0.85\) to \(1\) is \(0.15\), smaller than its distance to \(0\).

Answer

It is closer to certain because \(0.85\) is closer to \(1\) than to \(0\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 10
A bag has five equally likely cards marked A, A, B, C, and C. One card is drawn, and only its letter is recorded. What is the sample space of *letter outcomes*? Explain why A and C are each listed only once.

Hints

- Is the recorded result a card's physical identity or its letter? - Does drawing either A card give a different recorded result?

Solution

1. The recorded outcome is a letter, not the identity of a physical card. 2. The distinct possible letters are A, B, and C. 3. A sample space lists each possible recorded outcome once, even if several cards have the same letter.

Answer

\(\{A,B,C\}\). Each possible letter appears only once in the sample space, even when it occurs on several cards.
Theoretical probability of simple events 11
For each random experiment, decide whether it is reasonable to model the listed outcomes as equally likely. Briefly explain your answer. a) Tossing a thumbtack and recording whether it lands point up or on its side. b) Drawing one card from a well-shuffled standard \(52\)-card deck and recording the exact card. c) Rolling a standard number cube whose edges are rounded uniformly. d) Spinning a spinner divided into four equal sections: red, yellow, green, and blue.

Hints

- An equally likely model requires every listed outcome to have the same chance. - Look for physical symmetry or equal-size regions. - Ask whether every possible result has exactly the same physical chance. - Decide whether the design could favor one outcome.

Solution

1. a) No. A thumbtack is not symmetric, so the two landing positions should not be assumed to have equal probabilities. 2. b) Yes. With a well-shuffled deck, each individual card can reasonably be modeled as having probability \(\frac{1}{52}\). 3. c) Yes. A standard number cube is symmetric, and uniformly rounded edges do not favor one face. Each result can be modeled with probability \(\frac{1}{6}\). 4. d) Yes. The four sections have equal central angles, so each color can be modeled with probability \(\frac{1}{4}\).

Answer

a) No; the thumbtack is not symmetric. b) Yes; each card has the same chance of being drawn. c) Yes; the number cube is symmetric. d) Yes; the four spinner sections are equal in size.
Theoretical probability of simple events 12
A bowl contains \(12\) apples, \(8\) pears, and \(10\) oranges. The fruit is mixed well, and the model assumes that each individual piece of fruit is equally likely to be selected. One piece is chosen without looking. a) Find the probability of selecting a pear. b) A student says, “Because there are three kinds of fruit, each kind has probability \(\frac{1}{3}\).” Explain the mistake. c) Find the probability that the selected fruit is not an apple.

Hints

- Find the total number of pieces of fruit. - Are there equal numbers of pieces of the three kinds? - For “not an apple,” what other kinds are allowed?

Solution

1. There are \(12+8+10=30\) pieces of fruit. 2. a) There are \(8\) pears, so \(P(\text{pear})=\frac{8}{30}=\frac{4}{15}\). 3. b) Individual pieces are equally likely, but the three kinds are not equally common. The chance of each kind depends on how many pieces of that kind are in the bowl. 4. c) There are \(8+10=18\) pieces that are not apples. Therefore, \(P(\text{not an apple})=\frac{18}{30}=\frac{3}{5}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{4}{15}\) b) The three kinds have different numbers of pieces. Equal chances for individual pieces do not mean equal chances for fruit types. c) \(\frac{3}{5}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 13
A container holds \(150\) balls numbered \(1\) through \(150\). One ball is selected at random. Find the probability of each event. a) The number is a multiple of \(15\). b) The number is a perfect square. c) The number ends in \(0\) or \(5\).

Hints

- Count the values from \(1\) through \(150\) that satisfy each condition. - List the relevant multiples systematically rather than checking at random. - Find the largest perfect square no greater than \(150\). - A number ending in \(0\) or \(5\) is divisible by \(5\).

Solution

1. a) There are \(10\) multiples of \(15\) from \(1\) through \(150\). Thus, \(P=\frac{10}{150}=\frac{1}{15}\). 2. b) The perfect squares are \(1^2\) through \(12^2\), since \(12^2=144\) and \(13^2=169\). There are \(12\), so \(P=\frac{12}{150}=\frac{2}{25}\). 3. c) Numbers ending in \(0\) or \(5\) are multiples of \(5\). There are \(150\div5=30\), so \(P=\frac{30}{150}=\frac{1}{5}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{15}\) b) \(\frac{2}{25}=8\%\) c) \(\frac{1}{5}=20\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 14
A spinner is divided into \(10\) equal sections: \(5\) blue, \(3\) red, and \(2\) yellow. The spinner is spun once. a) Explain why the outcomes in \(S = \{\text{blue}, \text{red}, \text{yellow}\}\) are not equally likely. b) Give a sample space \(S'\) whose outcomes are equally likely.

Hints

- Compare the number of sections of each color. - For equally likely outcomes, treat each equal-size section as a separate outcome. - Numbering the sections can distinguish them.

Solution

1. Each of the \(10\) sections has probability \(\frac{1}{10}\). 2. a) The color probabilities are \(P(\text{blue}) = \frac{5}{10} = 0.5\), \(P(\text{red}) = \frac{3}{10} = 0.3\), and \(P(\text{yellow}) = \frac{2}{10} = 0.2\). Because these probabilities differ, the color outcomes are not equally likely. 3. b) Number the individual sections \(1\) through \(10\). Then \(S' = \{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10\}\), and every outcome has probability \(\frac{1}{10}\).

Answer

a) \(P(\text{blue}) = 0.5\), \(P(\text{red}) = 0.3\), and \(P(\text{yellow}) = 0.2\), so the outcomes are not equally likely. b) One possible sample space is \(S' = \{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10\}\), where each number represents one section.
Theoretical probability of simple events 15
A box contains \(12\) chocolate truffles: \(7\) milk chocolate, \(4\) dark chocolate, and \(1\) white chocolate. One truffle is selected without looking. a) Find the probabilities of the outcomes in \(S = \{\text{milk}, \text{dark}, \text{white}\}\). b) Use your results from part a to explain why these three outcomes are not equally likely.

Hints

- Divide each category count by the total number of truffles. - Compare the three probabilities. - Equally likely outcomes must have the same probability.

Solution

1. There are \(7 + 4 + 1 = 12\) truffles. 2. a) \(P(\text{milk}) = \frac{7}{12}\), \(P(\text{dark}) = \frac{4}{12} = \frac{1}{3}\), and \(P(\text{white}) = \frac{1}{12}\). 3. b) The three probabilities are different. Therefore, the flavor-category outcomes cannot be modeled as equally likely.

Answer

a) \(P(\text{milk}) = \frac{7}{12}\), \(P(\text{dark}) = \frac{1}{3}\), and \(P(\text{white}) = \frac{1}{12}\) b) The outcomes are not equally likely because their probabilities are different.
Theoretical probability of simple events 16
For each random experiment, give the sample space \(S\) and decide whether its outcomes are equally likely. Explain your decision. a) Flip a fair coin and record heads or tails. b) Draw one ball from a bag containing \(4\) red balls and \(6\) blue balls, and record its color. c) Spin a spinner divided into \(8\) equal sections numbered \(1\) through \(8\).

Hints

- List every possible recorded result. - Compare the chances of the outcomes in each sample space. - Equal-size spinner sections represent equally likely outcomes.

Solution

1. a) \(S = \{\text{heads}, \text{tails}\}\). Because the coin is fair, both outcomes have probability \(\frac{1}{2}\), so they are equally likely. 2. b) \(S = \{\text{red}, \text{blue}\}\). The probabilities are \(P(\text{red}) = \frac{4}{10} = 0.4\) and \(P(\text{blue}) = \frac{6}{10} = 0.6\), so the outcomes are not equally likely. 3. c) \(S = \{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8\}\). The sections are equal in size, so each outcome has probability \(\frac{1}{8}\) and the outcomes are equally likely.

Answer

a) \(S = \{\text{heads}, \text{tails}\}\); equally likely b) \(S = \{\text{red}, \text{blue}\}\); not equally likely because the probabilities are \(0.4\) and \(0.6\) c) \(S = \{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8\}\); equally likely
Theoretical probability of simple events 17
A standard \(52\)-card deck has four suits: clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades. Each suit contains cards ranked \(2\) through \(10\), jack, queen, king, and ace. One card is drawn from a well-shuffled deck. Find the probability of each event. a) The card is a heart. b) The card is a king or an ace. c) The card is a number card from \(2\) through \(10\).

Hints

- A standard deck has \(52\) cards altogether. - Each suit contains \(13\) cards. - Count all kings and aces without overlap. - Count the ranks from \(2\) through \(10\), then account for four suits.

Solution

1. a) There are \(13\) hearts, so \(P(\text{heart})=\frac{13}{52}=\frac{1}{4}\). 2. b) There are \(4\) kings and \(4\) aces. These categories do not overlap, so \(P(\text{king or ace})=\frac{8}{52}=\frac{2}{13}\). 3. c) There are \(9\) number ranks from \(2\) through \(10\), with \(4\) cards of each rank. Thus, \(P(\text{number card})=\frac{36}{52}=\frac{9}{13}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{4}=25\%\) b) \(\frac{2}{13}\) c) \(\frac{9}{13}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 18
One letter is selected at random from the word “MATHEMATICS.” Find the probability of each event. a) The letter is E. b) The letter is a vowel. c) The letter is not H. d) The letter is C or M.

Hints

- Count the total number of letters, including repeats. - Count how often each relevant letter appears. - Use a complement for “not H.” - For “C or M,” add the counts of the two different letters.

Solution

1. MATHEMATICS has \(11\) letters. The relevant counts are E: \(1\), vowels: \(4\), H: \(1\), C: \(1\), and M: \(2\). 2. a) \(P(E) = \frac{1}{11}\). 3. b) \(P(\text{vowel}) = \frac{4}{11}\). 4. c) \(P(\text{not H}) = \frac{10}{11}\). 5. d) \(P(C\text{ or }M) = \frac{1 + 2}{11} = \frac{3}{11}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{11}\) b) \(\frac{4}{11}\) c) \(\frac{10}{11}\) d) \(\frac{3}{11}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 19
A bag contains \(20\) balls that differ only in color. For each case, a ball is drawn and its color is recorded. Give the sample space \(S\) and decide whether the color outcomes are equally likely. a) The bag contains \(10\) red balls and \(10\) blue balls. b) The bag contains \(5\) red, \(5\) blue, \(5\) green, and \(5\) yellow balls. c) The bag contains \(2\) red, \(8\) blue, and \(10\) green balls.

Hints

- List the possible recorded colors. - Divide each color count by \(20\). - An equally likely model requires all recorded outcomes to have equal probabilities. - Compare the probabilities within each case.

Solution

1. a) \(S = \{\text{red}, \text{blue}\}\). Both probabilities are \(\frac{10}{20} = 0.5\), so the outcomes are equally likely. 2. b) \(S = \{\text{red}, \text{blue}, \text{green}, \text{yellow}\}\). Every color has probability \(\frac{5}{20} = 0.25\), so the outcomes are equally likely. 3. c) \(S = \{\text{red}, \text{blue}, \text{green}\}\). The probabilities are \(0.1\), \(0.4\), and \(0.5\), respectively, so the outcomes are not equally likely.

Answer

a) \(S = \{\text{red}, \text{blue}\}\); equally likely b) \(S = \{\text{red}, \text{blue}, \text{green}, \text{yellow}\}\); equally likely c) \(S = \{\text{red}, \text{blue}, \text{green}\}\); not equally likely
Theoretical probability of simple events 20
Two words are studied: Word A is “PERCENTAGE,” and Word B is “INTEREST.” One letter is selected at random from each word. a) Find the probability of selecting N from each word. In which word is the probability greater? b) In which word is the probability of selecting a vowel greater? Justify your answer by comparing the probabilities.

Hints

- Count all letters, including repeated letters. - Count N and the vowels separately in each word. - Compare the fractions using decimals or a common denominator.

Solution

1. PERCENTAGE has \(10\) letters and contains N once, so \(P_A(N) = \frac{1}{10}\). Its vowels are E, E, A, and E, so \(P_A(\text{vowel}) = \frac{4}{10} = \frac{2}{5}\). 2. INTEREST has \(8\) letters and contains N once, so \(P_B(N) = \frac{1}{8}\). Its vowels are I, E, and E, so \(P_B(\text{vowel}) = \frac{3}{8}\). 3. a) Since \(\frac{1}{8} > \frac{1}{10}\), Word B has the greater probability of N. 4. b) Since \(\frac{2}{5} = 0.4\) and \(\frac{3}{8} = 0.375\), Word A has the greater probability of a vowel.

Answer

a) Word A: \(\frac{1}{10}\); Word B: \(\frac{1}{8}\). Word B is greater. b) Word A: \(\frac{2}{5}\); Word B: \(\frac{3}{8}\). Word A is greater.
Theoretical probability of simple events 21
An opaque bag contains \(12\) red, \(8\) blue, and \(5\) green marbles. One marble is drawn without looking. Find each probability as a percent. a) A red marble is drawn. b) A green marble is not drawn.

Hints

- Find the total number of marbles. - Not green includes red and blue. - Convert each fraction to a denominator of \(100\).

Solution

1. The bag contains \(12 + 8 + 5 = 25\) marbles. 2. a) \(P(\text{red}) = \frac{12}{25} = \frac{48}{100} = 48\%\). 3. b) There are \(12 + 8 = 20\) marbles that are not green. Thus, \(P(\text{not green}) = \frac{20}{25} = \frac{80}{100} = 80\%\).

Answer

a) \(48\%\) b) \(80\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 22
Paul has two bags of gummy bears. Bag A contains \(4\) sour and \(16\) sweet gummy bears. Bag B contains \(7\) sour and \(21\) sweet gummy bears. Paul wants to select a sweet gummy bear. From which bag should he draw to have the greater probability? Justify your answer by comparing the probabilities.

Hints

- For each bag, divide the sweet count by the total count. - Compare the probabilities using fractions, decimals, or percents. - Do not compare only the sweet counts.

Solution

1. Bag A contains \(20\) gummy bears, so \(P_A(\text{sweet}) = \frac{16}{20} = \frac{4}{5} = 80\%\). 2. Bag B contains \(28\) gummy bears, so \(P_B(\text{sweet}) = \frac{21}{28} = \frac{3}{4} = 75\%\). 3. Since \(80\% > 75\%\), Bag A gives the greater probability.

Answer

Paul should choose Bag A. Its sweet-gummy-bear probability is \(80\%\), compared with \(75\%\) for Bag B.
Theoretical probability of simple events 23
A container holds \(60\) black, white, and gray balls. The probability of drawing a black ball is \(\frac{1}{3}\). The probability of drawing a white ball is \(45\%\). Find the number of gray balls.

Hints

- Multiply the total by each known probability to find the corresponding count. - Convert \(45\%\) to \(0.45\). - Subtract the black and white counts from \(60\).

Solution

1. The number of black balls is \(\frac{1}{3} \cdot 60 = 20\). 2. The number of white balls is \(0.45 \cdot 60 = 27\). 3. The number of gray balls is \(60 - 20 - 27 = 13\).

Answer

There are \(13\) gray balls.
Theoretical probability of simple events 24
A school robotics club has a box of \(120\) parts: - \(50\) screws: \(15\) silver and \(35\) gold - \(40\) gold nuts - \(20\) gold washers - \(10\) silver bolts One part is selected at random. Find the probability that the part: a) is a nut or a washer; b) is silver; c) is not a screw.

Hints

- Count the parts satisfying each condition. - Add counts for nonoverlapping categories. - Use a complement for “not a screw.”

Solution

1. For a nut or washer, there are \(40+20=60\) favorable parts, so \(P=\frac{60}{120}=\frac{1}{2}\). 2. Silver parts include \(15\) screws and \(10\) bolts, so \(P=\frac{25}{120}=\frac{5}{24}\). 3. There are \(120-50=70\) parts that are not screws, so \(P=\frac{70}{120}=\frac{7}{12}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{2}\) b) \(\frac{5}{24}\) c) \(\frac{7}{12}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 25
A spinner has \(24\) equal sections: - \(10\) small-prize sections - \(2\) grand-prize sections - \(8\) consolation-prize sections - \(4\) no-prize sections Both grand-prize sections and \(4\) small-prize sections are gold. All consolation-prize sections are silver, and the remaining sections are white. The spinner is spun once. a) Find the probability of winning any prize. b) Find the probability of landing on a gold section. c) Find the probability of landing on neither a no-prize section nor a grand-prize section. d) Explain why counting favorable sections gives valid probabilities here.

Hints

- Count sections satisfying each condition. - For gold, count sections by color rather than prize label. - Equal-size sections support an equally likely-outcomes model.

Solution

1. There are \(10+2+8=20\) prize sections, so \(P(\text{any prize})=\frac{20}{24}=\frac{5}{6}\). 2. There are \(2+4=6\) gold sections, so \(P(\text{gold})=\frac{6}{24}=\frac{1}{4}\). 3. Excluding \(4\) no-prize and \(2\) grand-prize sections leaves \(18\) sections, so \(P=\frac{18}{24}=\frac{3}{4}\). 4. All \(24\) sections are equal in size, so they are modeled as equally likely outcomes.

Answer

a) \(\frac{5}{6}\) b) \(\frac{1}{4}\) c) \(\frac{3}{4}\) d) The equal-size sections are equally likely.
Theoretical probability of simple events 26
A spinner has \(10\) equal sections. Four sections are shaded and six are unshaded. The spinner is spun once. Let \(E\) be the event “The spinner lands on a shaded section.” 1. Find \(P(E)\) as a fraction in simplest form. 2. Describe the complement \(\overline{E}\) in words. 3. Find \(P(\overline{E})\) as a fraction in simplest form.

Hints

- Use the total number of equal sections as the denominator. - The complement contains every outcome outside the shaded event. - Check that the two complementary probabilities add to \(1\).

Solution

1. The spinner has \(10\) equal sections, and \(4\) of them are shaded. 2. Therefore, \(P(E)=\frac{4}{10}=\frac{2}{5}\). 3. The complement \(\overline{E}\) occurs when the spinner lands on an unshaded section. 4. There are \(6\) unshaded sections, so \(P(\overline{E})=\frac{6}{10}=\frac{3}{5}\). Equivalently, \(1-\frac{2}{5}=\frac{3}{5}\).

Answer

1. \(P(E)=\frac{2}{5}\) 2. \(\overline{E}\): The spinner lands on an unshaded section. 3. \(P(\overline{E})=\frac{3}{5}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 27
Mia and Ben are choosing between two spinners. Mia wins when the spinner lands on red. Ben wins when the spinner lands on yellow. a) Which spinner should Mia choose for the greater probability of winning? Explain. b) Which spinner should Ben choose for the greater probability of winning? Explain.
Figure for problem 532006

Hints

- Count the favorable sectors and the total sectors on each spinner. - Write a probability fraction for each choice. - Compare the fractions for the same winning color.

Solution

1. For Mia, Spinner A has \(6\) red sectors out of \(12\), so \(P(\text{red}) = \frac{6}{12} = \frac{1}{2}\). Spinner B has \(3\) red sectors out of \(8\), so \(P(\text{red}) = \frac{3}{8}\). Since \(\frac{1}{2} > \frac{3}{8}\), Mia should choose Spinner A. 2. For Ben, Spinner A has \(2\) yellow sectors out of \(12\), so \(P(\text{yellow}) = \frac{2}{12} = \frac{1}{6}\). Spinner B has \(2\) yellow sectors out of \(8\), so \(P(\text{yellow}) = \frac{2}{8} = \frac{1}{4}\). Since \(\frac{1}{4} > \frac{1}{6}\), Ben should choose Spinner B.

Answer

a) Spinner A, because \(\frac{1}{2} > \frac{3}{8}\) b) Spinner B, because \(\frac{1}{4} > \frac{1}{6}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 28
At a school carnival, there are two spinners. Spinner A has \(10\) equal sections, including \(4\) blue sections. Spinner B has \(8\) equal sections, including \(3\) green sections. You win a prize by landing on blue on Spinner A or green on Spinner B. a) Find the probability of winning on each spinner as a fraction and as a percent. b) Which spinner gives the greater chance of winning?

Hints

- For each spinner, compare prize sections with all equal sections. - Convert both probabilities to the same form before comparing them. - Check which percentage is larger.

Solution

1. For Spinner A, \(P(\text{win})=\frac{4}{10}=\frac{2}{5}=40\%\). 2. For Spinner B, \(P(\text{win})=\frac{3}{8}=37.5\%\). 3. Since \(40\%>37.5\%\), Spinner A gives the greater chance of winning.

Answer

a) Spinner A: \(\frac{2}{5}=40\%\); Spinner B: \(\frac{3}{8}=37.5\%\) b) Spinner A
Theoretical probability of simple events 29
A container holds \(12\) balls: \(7\) yellow, \(4\) red, and \(1\) blue. One ball is chosen at random. a) Describe the complement \(\overline{E}\) of the event \(E\): “The selected ball is yellow.” b) Find \(P(\overline{E})\) as a fraction in simplest form.

Hints

- Identify every color that lies outside the event “yellow.” - Count all non-yellow balls or use the complement rule. - Check that the event and complement probabilities add to \(1\).

Solution

1. The complement occurs when the selected ball is outside event \(E\), so it is red or blue. 2. There are \(4+1=5\) non-yellow balls out of \(12\), so \(P(\overline{E})=\frac{5}{12}\). 3. Equivalently, \(P(\overline{E})=1-\frac{7}{12}=\frac{5}{12}\).

Answer

a) The selected ball is red or blue. b) \(P(\overline{E})=\frac{5}{12}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 30
Spin the spinner once. Find each probability as a percent. a) The spinner does not land on red. b) The spinner lands on green or yellow. c) The spinner lands on blue.
Figure for problem 532028

Hints

- Count the sections of each color on the spinner. - For “not red,” count all sections that are not red. - For “green or yellow,” include both colors, then convert the fraction to a percent.

Solution

1. The spinner has \(10\) equal sections: \(4\) red, \(3\) blue, \(2\) green, and \(1\) yellow. 2. For part a, \(10-4=6\) sections are not red, so the probability is \(\frac{6}{10}=60\%\). 3. For part b, \(2+1=3\) sections are green or yellow, so the probability is \(\frac{3}{10}=30\%\). 4. For part c, \(3\) sections are blue, so the probability is \(\frac{3}{10}=30\%\).

Answer

a) \(60\%\) b) \(30\%\) c) \(30\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 31
Compare two bags. In each question, imagine drawing one ball at random from the bag being discussed. a) For which bag are the three color outcomes equally likely? Explain. b) Find the probability of drawing a red ball from each bag. Write each answer as a fraction in simplest form.
Figure for problem 532037

Hints

- Think of each ball as one possible result of the draw. - Are the numbers of different colors alike in both bags? - For part b, compare the red count with all the balls in each bag.

Solution

1. Bag A has \(3\) blue, \(3\) red, and \(3\) yellow balls, so each color has probability \(\frac{3}{9}=\frac{1}{3}\). Its color outcomes are equally likely. 2. Bag B has \(4\) blue, \(2\) red, and \(3\) yellow balls, so its color probabilities are not equal. 3. The red-ball probabilities are \(P_A(\text{red})=\frac{3}{9}=\frac{1}{3}\) and \(P_B(\text{red})=\frac{2}{9}\).

Answer

a) Bag A, because it contains the same number of balls of each color. b) Bag A: \(\frac{1}{3}\); Bag B: \(\frac{2}{9}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 32
Spin the spinner once. a) Let \(E\) be “The spinner lands on red.” Find \(P(E)\) and the probability of its complement \(\overline{E}\). b) Let \(A\) be “The spinner lands on blue.” Describe the complement \(\overline{A}\) and find its probability.
Figure for problem 532049

Hints

- What would make an outcome fail to belong to event \(E\)? - Check whether an outcome and its complement cover every section without sharing one. - Use the same check for event \(A\) before counting its outcomes.

Solution

1. There are \(3\) red sections among \(8\) equal sections, so \(P(E)=\frac{3}{8}\). 2. The complement is blue or yellow, so \(P(\overline{E})=1-\frac{3}{8}=\frac{5}{8}\). 3. There are \(4\) blue sections; the complement of blue is red or yellow. 4. There are \(3+1=4\) red or yellow sections, so \(P(\overline{A})=\frac{4}{8}=\frac{1}{2}\).

Answer

a) \(P(E)=\frac{3}{8}\) and \(P(\overline{E})=\frac{5}{8}\). b) \(\overline{A}\): red or yellow; \(P(\overline{A})=\frac{1}{2}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 33
At a school carnival, a player wins when a spinner lands on red. Jonas says, “Both spinners have \(3\) red sectors, so the probability of winning is the same.” a) Explain why Jonas is incorrect. b) Which spinner actually gives the greater probability of winning? Justify your answer.
Figure for problem 532054

Hints

- Write the number of red sectors over the total number of sectors for each spinner. - Compare the two probability fractions, not only the favorable counts.

Solution

1. Spinner A has \(3\) red sectors out of \(6\), so its winning probability is \(\frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2}\). 2. Spinner B has \(3\) red sectors out of \(8\), so its winning probability is \(\frac{3}{8}\). 3. Jonas compared only the number of red sectors, not the total number of equal sectors. Since \(\frac{1}{2} > \frac{3}{8}\), Spinner A gives the greater probability.

Answer

a) The total number of equal sectors also matters: \(3\) out of \(6\) is not the same probability as \(3\) out of \(8\). b) Spinner A, because \(\frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2} > \frac{3}{8}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 34
Two urns contain numbered balls, as shown. One ball is selected at random from each urn. a) From which urn is selecting a prime number more likely? Support your answer with probabilities. b) From which urn is selecting an even number more likely? Support your answer with probabilities.
Figure for problem 532062

Hints

- Read the numbered balls in each urn before counting favorable outcomes. - Remember that \(1\) is not prime. - Compare probabilities rather than just favorable counts.

Solution

1. Urn A contains labels \(1\) through \(5\). Its prime probability is \(\frac{3}{5}=60\%\), and its even probability is \(\frac{2}{5}=40\%\). 2. Urn B contains labels \(1\) through \(8\). Its prime probability is \(\frac{4}{8}=\frac{1}{2}=50\%\), and its even probability is \(\frac{4}{8}=\frac{1}{2}=50\%\). 3. A prime is more likely from Urn A, while an even number is more likely from Urn B.

Answer

a) Urn A: \(\frac{3}{5}=60\%\), compared with \(\frac{1}{2}=50\%\) for Urn B b) Urn B: \(\frac{1}{2}=50\%\), compared with \(\frac{2}{5}=40\%\) for Urn A
Theoretical probability of simple events 35
Two urns contain numbered and colored balls, as shown. a) From which urn is selecting a blue ball more likely? Support your answer with probabilities. b) From which urn is selecting a ball with an odd number more likely? Support your answer with probabilities.
Figure for problem 532068

Hints

- Count the total balls in each urn from the diagram. - For each event, count favorable balls in each urn separately. - Compare the resulting probabilities, not the raw favorable counts.

Solution

1. Urn 1 contains \(8\) balls, and Urn 2 contains \(10\) balls. 2. For blue, Urn 1 has probability \(\frac{2}{8}=25\%\), while Urn 2 has probability \(\frac{3}{10}=30\%\). Blue is more likely from Urn 2. 3. The odd labels are \(1\) and \(3\). Urn 1 has \(6\) odd-labeled balls, so the probability is \(\frac{6}{8}=75\%\). Urn 2 has \(7\), so the probability is \(\frac{7}{10}=70\%\). An odd label is more likely from Urn 1.

Answer

a) Urn 2: \(30\%\), compared with \(25\%\) for Urn 1 b) Urn 1: \(75\%\), compared with \(70\%\) for Urn 2
Theoretical probability of simple events 36
Spinner A has \(12\) equal sections, \(8\) of them colored. Spinner B has \(10\) equal sections, \(7\) of them colored. Which spinner has the greater probability of landing on a colored section in one spin? Find both probabilities as fractions and compare them.

Hints

- Write each probability as colored sections divided by total equal sections. - Put the two fractions in a comparable form. - Check which probability is larger.

Solution

1. Spinner A has probability \(\frac{8}{12}=\frac{2}{3}\). 2. Spinner B has probability \(\frac{7}{10}\). 3. Using denominator \(30\), \(\frac{2}{3}=\frac{20}{30}\) and \(\frac{7}{10}=\frac{21}{30}\). Therefore, Spinner B has the greater probability.

Answer

Spinner B: \(\frac{7}{10}>\frac{2}{3}\) for Spinner A.
Theoretical probability of simple events 37
Spin the spinner once. Find each probability as a fraction in simplest form. a) The spinner lands on blue. b) The spinner lands on a section that is neither blue nor yellow. c) The spinner lands on red or yellow.
Figure for problem 532089

Hints

- Count sections, not just different colors. - For part b, check the condition against each section before counting it. - In part c, could a single section be counted more than once?

Solution

1. The spinner has \(8\) equally likely sections. 2. There are \(3\) blue sections, so the probability in part a is \(\frac{3}{8}\). 3. Neither blue nor yellow means red or green. There are \(2\) red and \(2\) green sections, so the probability in part b is \(\frac{4}{8}=\frac{1}{2}\). 4. There are \(2\) red and \(1\) yellow sections, so the probability in part c is \(\frac{3}{8}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{3}{8}\) b) \(\frac{1}{2}\) c) \(\frac{3}{8}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 38
The spinner shown has \(8\) equal sections numbered \(1\) through \(8\) and colored blue, yellow, red, or green. It is spun once. Find each probability as a fraction in simplest form. a) Event \(A\): The number is greater than \(4\) and the section is red. b) Event \(B\): The number is odd or the section is blue.
Figure for problem 532096

Hints

- Read the color attached to each numbered section from the spinner. - For part a, identify outcomes satisfying both conditions. - For part b, combine the two favorable sets and count any shared outcome once.

Solution

1. The spinner has \(8\) equally likely outcomes. 2. For event \(A\), the outcomes that are both greater than \(4\) and red are \(5\) and \(6\), so \(P(A)=\frac{2}{8}=\frac{1}{4}\). 3. The odd numbers are \(1,3,5,7\), and the blue sections are \(1\) and \(2\). Their union is \(1,2,3,5,7\), so \(P(B)=\frac{5}{8}\).

Answer

a) \(P(A)=\frac{1}{4}\) b) \(P(B)=\frac{5}{8}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 39
Lara and Jonas play a game in which drawing a red ball wins. Lara draws from Urn A, and Jonas draws from Urn B. Jonas says, “I have a greater probability of winning because my urn has twice as many red balls as yours.” Is Jonas correct? Find and compare the winning probabilities.
Figure for problem 532104

Hints

- Count the red balls and total balls in each urn. - Write each winning probability as a fraction. - Simplify or use equivalent fractions to compare them.

Solution

1. Urn A has \(2\) red balls out of \(5\), so Lara’s winning probability is \(\frac{2}{5}\). 2. Urn B has \(4\) red balls out of \(10\), so Jonas’s winning probability is \(\frac{4}{10} = \frac{2}{5}\). 3. The probabilities are equal. Urn B has twice as many red balls, but it also has twice as many balls altogether.

Answer

No. Both players have a winning probability of \(\frac{2}{5}\), because \(\frac{4}{10} = \frac{2}{5}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 40
A box contains \(20\) marbles: \(8\) blue and \(12\) white. One marble is selected without looking. a) Find the probability of selecting a blue marble. Write the result as a fraction in simplest form and as a percent. b) Find the probability of selecting a white marble. Write the result as a fraction in simplest form and as a percent.

Hints

- Use \(20\) as the total number of equally likely marbles. - Divide each favorable count by the total and simplify. - Convert each simplified fraction to a percent.

Solution

1. The probability of selecting a blue marble is \(\frac{8}{20}=\frac{2}{5}=40\%\). 2. The probability of selecting a white marble is \(\frac{12}{20}=\frac{3}{5}=60\%\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{2}{5}=40\%\) b) \(\frac{3}{5}=60\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 41
A spinner is divided into \(12\) equal sections. Three sections are blue, and the rest are white. It is spun once. a) Explain why the individual sections are equally likely. b) Find the probability of each event as a fraction in simplest form and as a percent. \(E_1\): The spinner lands on blue. \(E_2\): The spinner lands on white.

Hints

- Equal section sizes make the individual sections equally likely. - Compare the blue-section count with all \(12\) sections. - Blue and white are complementary events here.

Solution

1. Because all \(12\) sections have the same size, each individual section has the same probability. 2. There are \(3\) blue sections, so \(P(E_1)=\frac{3}{12}=\frac{1}{4}=25\%\). 3. There are \(9\) white sections, so \(P(E_2)=\frac{9}{12}=\frac{3}{4}=75\%\).

Answer

a) All \(12\) sections are the same size, so each section is equally likely. b) \(P(E_1)=\frac{1}{4}=25\%\); \(P(E_2)=\frac{3}{4}=75\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 42
Two urns contain red and blue balls, as shown. One ball is selected at random from one of the urns. From which urn is selecting a red ball more likely? Find both probabilities as fractions and percents, and compare them.
Figure for problem 532139

Hints

- Count red and total balls in each urn from the diagram. - Form a probability separately for each urn. - Compare the fractions or their equivalent percents.

Solution

1. Urn A has \(3\) red balls out of \(8\), so \(P(\text{red from A})=\frac{3}{8}=37.5\%\). 2. Urn B has \(2\) red balls out of \(5\), so \(P(\text{red from B})=\frac{2}{5}=40\%\). 3. Since \(40\%>37.5\%\), selecting a red ball is more likely from Urn B.

Answer

Urn B has the greater probability. Urn A: \(\frac{3}{8}=37.5\%\) Urn B: \(\frac{2}{5}=40\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 43
The spinner shown has \(12\) equal sections labeled with the numbers \(2\), \(5\), \(10\), and \(20\). The spinner is spun once. Find each probability as a fraction in simplest form. a) The number is greater than \(5\). b) The number is even.
Figure for problem 532141

Hints

- Use \(12\) as the total number of equally likely outcomes. - Count every section whose label satisfies the condition. - Repeated labels represent separate outcomes. - Simplify each fraction.

Solution

1. The spinner has \(12\) equally likely sections. 2. The numbers greater than \(5\) are \(10\) and \(20\). The number \(10\) appears on \(3\) sections, and \(20\) appears on \(2\) sections, for \(5\) favorable outcomes. Thus, the probability in part a is \(\frac{5}{12}\). 3. The even numbers are \(2\), \(10\), and \(20\). They appear on \(4 + 3 + 2 = 9\) sections, so the probability in part b is \(\frac{9}{12} = \frac{3}{4}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{5}{12}\) b) \(\frac{3}{4}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 44
Spin the spinner once. Find each probability as a fraction in simplest form and as a percent. Round the percent to the nearest hundredth if needed. a) The spinner lands on red or yellow. b) The spinner does not land on blue.
Figure for problem 532144

Hints

- Count the total equal sections and the colors named in part a. - For part b, count the blue sections first, then consider the complement. - Convert each fraction to a percent and follow the rounding instruction.

Solution

1. The spinner has \(12\) equally likely outcomes. 2. There are \(5\) red and \(4\) yellow sections, so part a has \(5+4=9\) favorable outcomes. The probability is \(\frac{9}{12}=\frac{3}{4}=75\%\). 3. There is \(1\) blue section. Using the complement gives \(1-\frac{1}{12}=\frac{11}{12}\). As a percent, \(\frac{11}{12}\cdot100\%\approx91.67\%\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{3}{4}=75\%\) b) \(\frac{11}{12}\approx91.67\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 45
The spinner shown has \(8\) equal sections and is spun once. Find each probability as a fraction in simplest form and as a percent. a) The number is odd. b) The number is prime. c) The number is greater than \(4\). d) The number is divisible by \(3\).
Figure for problem 532147

Hints

- Use \(8\) as the total number of equally likely outcomes. - Count sections, not just distinct number labels. - Remember that a prime number has exactly two positive factors. - Divide favorable sections by \(8\). - Simplify each probability and convert it to a percent.

Solution

1. The odd-numbered sections are labeled \(3, 5, 5, 9\), giving \(4\) favorable outcomes. Thus, the probability in part a is \(\frac{4}{8} = \frac{1}{2} = 50\%\). 2. The prime-numbered sections are labeled \(2, 3, 5, 5\), giving \(4\) favorable outcomes. Thus, the probability in part b is \(\frac{4}{8} = \frac{1}{2} = 50\%\). 3. The sections with numbers greater than \(4\) are labeled \(5, 5, 8, 8, 8, 9\), giving \(6\) favorable outcomes. Thus, the probability in part c is \(\frac{6}{8} = \frac{3}{4} = 75\%\). 4. The sections with numbers divisible by \(3\) are labeled \(3\) and \(9\), giving \(2\) favorable outcomes. Thus, the probability in part d is \(\frac{2}{8} = \frac{1}{4} = 25\%\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{2} = 50\%\) b) \(\frac{1}{2} = 50\%\) c) \(\frac{3}{4} = 75\%\) d) \(\frac{1}{4} = 25\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 46
At a school carnival, a spinner is divided into \(10\) equal sections. Four sections are marked. Landing on one of the marked sections wins a small prize. What is the probability of winning on one spin? Write the probability as a fraction in simplest form and as a percent.

Hints

- Compare the marked sections with all equal sections. - Simplify the favorable-over-total fraction. - Convert the simplified fraction to a percent.

Solution

1. There are \(4\) favorable sections out of \(10\) equally likely sections. 2. The probability is \(\frac{4}{10}=\frac{2}{5}=40\%\).

Answer

The probability of winning is \(\frac{2}{5}\), or \(40\%\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 47
A regular hexagon-shaped spinner is divided into \(6\) equal sections. Two sections are red, and the remaining sections are white. What is the probability of landing on red in one spin? Write the probability as a fraction in simplest form.

Hints

- Use favorable sections divided by all equal sections. - Simplify the fraction completely.

Solution

1. Two of the \(6\) equally likely sections are red. 2. The probability is \(\frac{2}{6}=\frac{1}{3}\).

Answer

The probability is \(\frac{1}{3}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 48
A spinner is divided into \(10\) equal sections. Six sections are yellow. What is the probability that the spinner lands on yellow? Write the result as a fraction in simplest form.

Hints

- Form favorable sections divided by total equal sections. - Simplify the resulting fraction.

Solution

1. Six of the \(10\) equally likely sections are yellow. 2. The probability is \(\frac{6}{10}=\frac{3}{5}\).

Answer

The probability is \(\frac{3}{5}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 49
A raffle uses a spinner with \(16\) equal sections. Six sections are marked. Landing on a marked section wins a small prize. Find the probability of winning on one spin. Write the probability as a fraction in simplest form, a decimal, and a percent.

Hints

- Write marked sections divided by all equal sections. - Simplify before converting to decimal and percent forms. - Check that the decimal and percent represent the same probability.

Solution

1. The probability of a marked section is \(\frac{6}{16}=\frac{3}{8}\). 2. Converting gives \(\frac{3}{8}=0.375=37.5\%\).

Answer

The probability is \(\frac{3}{8}=0.375=37.5\%\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 50
A box contains \(25\) chocolates. Nine have orange wrappers, and the rest have white wrappers. a) Write the fraction of the chocolates that have orange wrappers. Give the fraction in simplest form. b) If one chocolate is selected at random, what is the probability, as a percent, that it has an orange wrapper?

Hints

- Use orange-wrapped chocolates over all chocolates for the fraction. - A uniformly random selection gives the same part-to-whole probability. - Convert the fraction to an equivalent percent.

Solution

1. The fraction with orange wrappers is \(\frac{9}{25}\), which is already in simplest form. 2. For a random selection, the probability is the same fraction: \(\frac{9}{25}=\frac{36}{100}=36\%\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{9}{25}\) b) \(36\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 51
At a carnival, you may choose one of two spinners. You win a prize if the spinner lands on red. Which spinner, a) or b), gives the greater probability of winning? Justify your choice.
Figure for problem 535894

Hints

- Count the red sectors and total sectors on each spinner. - Write a probability fraction for each spinner. - Use a common denominator to compare the fractions.

Solution

1. On Spinner a), \(1\) of \(4\) sectors is red, so the winning probability is \(\frac{1}{4}\). 2. On Spinner b), \(3\) of \(8\) sectors are red, so the winning probability is \(\frac{3}{8}\). 3. Rewrite \(\frac{1}{4}\) as \(\frac{2}{8}\). Since \(\frac{3}{8} > \frac{2}{8}\), Spinner b) gives the greater probability.

Answer

Spinner b), because \(\frac{3}{8} > \frac{1}{4} = \frac{2}{8}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 52
Spin the spinner once and record its color as \(C\). a) Write the sample space \(S\) of possible colors. b) Complete the probability table. Write each probability as a fraction in simplest form. <table> <tr><th>Color \(c\)</th><td>Green</td><td>Orange</td><td>Purple</td></tr> <tr><th>\(P(C=c)\)</th><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> </table> c) What is the probability, as a percent, that the spinner lands on a color that is not green?
Figure for problem 535992

Hints

- List the different color outcomes without repeating a color. - Count sections for each color to complete the table. - For part c, use the complement of landing on green.

Solution

1. The possible color outcomes are green, orange, and purple, so \(S=\{\text{green},\text{orange},\text{purple}\}\). 2. The spinner has \(10\) equal sections: \(2\) green, \(3\) orange, and \(5\) purple. 3. Therefore, \(P(C=\text{green})=\frac{2}{10}=\frac{1}{5}\), \(P(C=\text{orange})=\frac{3}{10}\), and \(P(C=\text{purple})=\frac{5}{10}=\frac{1}{2}\). 4. Using the complement, \(P(\text{not green})=1-\frac{1}{5}=\frac{4}{5}=80\%\).

Answer

a) \(S=\{\text{green},\text{orange},\text{purple}\}\) b) Green: \(\frac{1}{5}\); Orange: \(\frac{3}{10}\); Purple: \(\frac{1}{2}\) c) \(80\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 53
One ball is drawn at random from the bag. a) Someone says, “There are only two colors, so the probability of drawing red is exactly \(\frac{1}{2}\).” Explain why the claim is incorrect and give the correct probability. b) How should the numbers of red and blue balls be changed so that the two colors are equally likely while the total remains \(6\) balls?
Figure for problem 536110

Hints

- What does drawing one ball give as the equally likely outcomes? - Compare the counts behind the two colors, not just their names. - Can you change the balance between colors without changing how many balls there are?

Solution

1. The bag contains \(5\) red balls and \(1\) blue ball, for \(6\) balls total. 2. The colors are not equally likely because their counts differ. The probability of red is \(P(\text{red})=\frac{5}{6}\). 3. With \(6\) balls and two equally likely colors, there must be \(3\) balls of each color. Replace \(2\) red balls with \(2\) blue balls.

Answer

a) The claim is incorrect. \(P(\text{red})=\frac{5}{6}\). b) Use \(3\) red and \(3\) blue balls, replacing \(2\) red balls with \(2\) blue balls.
Theoretical probability of simple events 54
At a school carnival, you may draw one ball without looking from either of two urns. You win a prize if you draw a yellow ball. Which urn gives the greater probability of winning? Justify your answer mathematically.
Figure for problem 536112

Hints

- Count the yellow balls and total balls in each urn. - Write each winning probability as a fraction. - Use a common denominator to compare the fractions.

Solution

1. Urn 1 has \(3\) yellow balls out of \(12\), so its winning probability is \(\frac{3}{12} = \frac{1}{4}\). 2. Urn 2 has \(2\) yellow balls out of \(5\), so its winning probability is \(\frac{2}{5}\). 3. Using a common denominator, \(\frac{1}{4} = \frac{5}{20}\) and \(\frac{2}{5} = \frac{8}{20}\). Since \(\frac{8}{20} > \frac{5}{20}\), Urn 2 gives the greater probability.

Answer

Urn 2, because \(\frac{2}{5} > \frac{3}{12} = \frac{1}{4}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 55
You may draw one ball without looking from either of two jars. You win a prize if you draw a blue ball. a) Which jar gives the greater probability of winning? Explain. b) How many red balls must be removed from Jar 1 to make drawing a blue ball certain?
Figure for problem 536121

Hints

- Count the blue balls and total balls in each jar. - Compare the winning fractions using a common denominator. - An event is certain only when no other outcome is possible.

Solution

1. Jar 1 has \(1\) blue ball out of \(4\), so its winning probability is \(\frac{1}{4} = \frac{2}{8}\). 2. Jar 2 has \(3\) blue balls out of \(8\), so its winning probability is \(\frac{3}{8}\). Since \(\frac{3}{8} > \frac{2}{8}\), Jar 2 gives the greater probability. 3. For drawing blue to be certain from Jar 1, no red balls can remain. All \(3\) red balls must be removed.

Answer

a) Jar 2, because \(\frac{3}{8} > \frac{1}{4}\) b) Remove all \(3\) red balls.
Theoretical probability of simple events 56
One ball is drawn at random from the urn. a) Which color has the greatest probability of being drawn? b) How many red balls must be added so that drawing red has the same probability as drawing green?
Figure for problem 536125

Hints

- Count the balls of each color. - With equally likely balls, which color count is greatest? - To make the red and green probabilities equal, think about their counts.

Solution

1. The urn contains \(3\) red, \(4\) blue, and \(5\) green balls. 2. Green has the greatest probability because it has the greatest number of balls, \(5\), and every ball is equally likely to be drawn. 3. Red and green will have equal probabilities when their counts are equal. Add \(5-3=2\) red balls.

Answer

a) Green b) Add \(2\) red balls.
Theoretical probability of simple events 57
An urn contains \(4\) blue balls, \(7\) orange balls, and \(9\) gray balls. One ball is selected without looking. Find each probability as a decimal. a) Event \(A\): The ball is blue. b) Event \(B\): The ball is orange or gray. c) Event \(C\): The ball is not gray.

Hints

- First find the total number of balls. - For each event, identify the favorable color counts. - Divide each favorable count by the total and write the result as a decimal.

Solution

1. The urn contains \(4+7+9=20\) balls. 2. \(P(A)=\frac{4}{20}=0.2\). 3. Event \(B\) has \(7+9=16\) favorable balls, so \(P(B)=\frac{16}{20}=0.8\). 4. Event \(C\) has \(4+7=11\) favorable balls, so \(P(C)=\frac{11}{20}=0.55\).

Answer

a) \(P(A)=0.2\) b) \(P(B)=0.8\) c) \(P(C)=0.55\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 58
A bag contains the eight numbered balls shown. One ball is drawn at random. Consider these events: - Event \(A\): The number is even. - Event \(B\): The ball is blue. - Event \(C\): The number is greater than \(5\). Find \(P(A)\), \(P(B)\), and \(P(C)\). Are the eight individual-ball outcomes equally likely? Explain.
Figure for problem 536160

Hints

- Read each ball's number and color from the urn. - Count the balls satisfying each event before forming a probability. - Distinguish equally likely individual balls from events containing different numbers of balls.

Solution

1. The numbered sample space is \(S=\{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8\}\), with \(8\) equally likely physical balls. 2. \(A=\{2,4,6,8\}\), so \(P(A)=\frac{4}{8}=\frac{1}{2}\). 3. The blue balls are \(1,2,3,4\), so \(P(B)=\frac{4}{8}=\frac{1}{2}\). 4. \(C=\{6,7,8\}\), so \(P(C)=\frac{3}{8}\). 5. Each physical ball has the same chance of being drawn, so the eight individual outcomes are equally likely.

Answer

\(P(A)=\frac{1}{2}\), \(P(B)=\frac{1}{2}\), and \(P(C)=\frac{3}{8}\). The individual-ball outcomes are equally likely because each ball has probability \(\frac{1}{8}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 59
One ball is selected at random from the urn. Find each probability as a fraction in simplest form. a) Event \(A\): The ball is labeled \(2\). b) Event \(B\): The ball has a number greater than \(1\). c) Event \(C\): The ball has an odd number.
Figure for problem 536180

Hints

- Count all balls with a matching label, including repeats. - Use the total number of balls for each event's denominator. - Simplify each fraction fully.

Solution

1. There are \(12\) equally likely balls. 2. Three balls are labeled \(2\), so \(P(A)=\frac{3}{12}=\frac{1}{4}\). 3. Eight balls have labels greater than \(1\), so \(P(B)=\frac{8}{12}=\frac{2}{3}\). 4. Nine balls have odd labels, so \(P(C)=\frac{9}{12}=\frac{3}{4}\).

Answer

a) \(P(A)=\frac{1}{4}\) b) \(P(B)=\frac{2}{3}\) c) \(P(C)=\frac{3}{4}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 60
The spinner shown has three labeled sections, \(A\), \(B\), and \(C\). Haruka calculates \(P(A\text{ or }B)\) as \(\frac{2}{3}\). Correct the calculation.
Figure for problem 537521

Hints

- Compare the sizes of the three sectors rather than just counting their labels. - Think about what fraction of the whole spinner is covered by the favorable sectors. - Check that the probability you obtain matches the combined area of those sectors.

Solution

1. The three labeled outcomes are not equally likely because the sections have different sizes. 2. Sections \(A\) and \(B\) do not overlap, so \(P(A\text{ or }B)=\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{1}{2}\).

Answer

\(P(A\text{ or }B)=\frac{1}{2}\), not \(\frac{2}{3}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 61
A game has \(100\) equally likely tickets. Consider these three events: Event A has \(2\) winning tickets. Event B has \(49\) winning tickets. Event C has \(98\) winning tickets. Without using a calculator, which event has probability near \(0\), which has probability near \(\frac{1}{2}\), and which has probability near \(1\)?

Hints

- Because there are \(100\) equally likely tickets, each favorable count is also a percent. - Compare \(2\%\), \(49\%\), and \(98\%\) with \(0\%\), \(50\%\), and \(100\%\).

Solution

1. Event A has probability \(\frac{2}{100}=0.02\), which is near \(0\). 2. Event B has probability \(\frac{49}{100}=0.49\), which is near \(\frac{1}{2}\). 3. Event C has probability \(\frac{98}{100}=0.98\), which is near \(1\).

Answer

Near \(0\): Event A Near \(\frac{1}{2}\): Event B Near \(1\): Event C
Theoretical probability of simple events 62
An event is more likely to happen than not happen, but it is not certain. Which statement gives **all** the probabilities that fit the event, **and no others**? a) \(0\le P(E)\le0.5\) b) \(0.5<P(E)<1\) c) \(P(E)=1\) d) \(0\le P(E)\le1\)

Hints

- Which part of the probability scale represents an even chance? - Could the probability be at either endpoint of the interval described? - Reject any option that includes probabilities the event cannot have.

Solution

1. “More likely to happen than not happen” means the probability is greater than \(0.5\). 2. “Not certain” means the probability is less than \(1\). 3. Choice b) gives exactly \(0.5<P(E)<1\). Choice d) allows values that do not fit the event, so it is too broad.

Answer

b) \(0.5<P(E)<1\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 63
A student says that the chance of R must be \(\frac{1}{2}\) because there are two regions. Is that correct? Find the probability of R.
Figure for problem 559727

Hints

- Are the regions the same size? - What determines how often a fair spinner lands in a region?

Solution

1. The two regions have unequal areas, so they are not equally likely. 2. Region R takes one quarter of the full spinner, so \(P(R)=\frac{1}{4}\). 3. Counting unequal regions as if equally likely is not valid.

Answer

No. \(P(R)=\frac{1}{4}\), not \(\frac{1}{2}\), because the regions have unequal areas.
Theoretical probability of simple events 64
A prize box has \(12\) identical folded slips. Exactly \(5\) slips say “Winner.” Use the complement to find the probability of drawing a slip that does *not* say “Winner.” Write a subtraction from \(1\) as part of your answer.

Hints

- What is the probability of the event you want to avoid? - Together, the event and its opposite cover all outcomes.

Solution

1. The probability of a winning slip is \(\frac{5}{12}\). 2. The event of not winning is its complement, so the probability is \(1-\frac{5}{12}=\frac{7}{12}\).

Answer

\(1-\frac{5}{12}=\frac{7}{12}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 65
The balls are the same size. One is drawn without looking. Find the probability of drawing a ball labeled H.
Figure for problem 559729

Hints

- Count all the balls, not just the distinct letters. - How many balls have the requested label?

Solution

1. The picture shows \(8\) balls in all. 2. Exactly \(3\) balls are labeled H. 3. The probability is \(\frac{3}{8}\).

Answer

\(\frac{3}{8}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 66
A bag contains \(12\) red balls, \(8\) blue balls, and \(4\) green balls. a) Explain why the three color outcomes are not equally likely. b) What is the smallest number of balls of each color that must be added so that all three colors are equally likely? c) In the new experiment, find the probability of drawing each color.

Hints

- Equal color probabilities require equal numbers of balls of each color. - Use the largest existing color count as the target. - Divide one color count by the new total.

Solution

1. a) There are \(12 + 8 + 4 = 24\) balls. The color probabilities are \(P(\text{red}) = \frac{12}{24} = \frac{1}{2}\), \(P(\text{blue}) = \frac{8}{24} = \frac{1}{3}\), and \(P(\text{green}) = \frac{4}{24} = \frac{1}{6}\). They are not equal. 2. b) To add as few balls as possible, increase each smaller color count to \(12\). Add \(12 - 8 = 4\) blue balls and \(12 - 4 = 8\) green balls. Add no red balls. 3. c) The new bag has \(12\) balls of each color and \(36\) balls total. Therefore, the probability of each color is \(\frac{12}{36} = \frac{1}{3}\).

Answer

a) The probabilities are \(\frac{1}{2}\), \(\frac{1}{3}\), and \(\frac{1}{6}\), so they are not equal. b) Add \(0\) red balls, \(4\) blue balls, and \(8\) green balls. c) Each color has probability \(\frac{1}{3}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 67
A special number die is a rectangular prism with dimensions \(3\,\text{cm} \times 3\,\text{cm} \times 6\,\text{cm}\). Its six faces are labeled \(1\) through \(6\). The two square faces are labeled \(1\) and \(6\), and the four rectangular faces are labeled \(2\), \(3\), \(4\), and \(5\). Kwame says, “The solid has six faces, so each number has probability exactly \(\frac{1}{6}\).” Evaluate the claim. Use geometric reasoning to support your answer.

Hints

- Compare the shapes and areas of the faces. - Consider what symmetry a fair number cube has that this solid does not. - Decide whether the number of faces alone is enough to establish equal likelihood.

Solution

1. Each square face has area \(3 \cdot 3 = 9\,\text{cm}^2\). 2. Each rectangular face has area \(3 \cdot 6 = 18\,\text{cm}^2\). 3. The solid does not have the symmetry of a cube. Its faces differ in shape and area, and its center of mass has different positions relative to the possible landing faces. 4. Therefore, having six faces does not imply \(P(1) = \cdots = P(6) = \frac{1}{6}\). Face area alone is also not enough to calculate the exact landing probabilities; experimental data or a physical model would be needed.

Answer

The claim is not justified. The rectangular prism lacks the symmetry of a fair number cube, so six faces do not automatically give six equally likely outcomes. Its landing probabilities would need to be estimated experimentally or determined from an appropriate physical model.
Theoretical probability of simple events 68
A deck contains cards numbered \(1\) through \(25\). One card is selected at random. Consider these events: Event \(A\): The number is prime. Event \(B\): The number is a multiple of \(6\). Event \(C\): The number is a perfect square. Find the probability of each event. Then order the events from least likely to most likely.

Hints

- List the numbers from \(1\) through \(25\) that satisfy each condition. - Remember that \(1\) is not prime. - Divide each favorable count by \(25\).

Solution

1. There are \(25\) equally likely outcomes. 2. The primes from \(1\) through \(25\) are \(2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23\). Thus, \(P(A) = \frac{9}{25} = 0.36\). 3. The multiples of \(6\) are \(6, 12, 18, 24\). Thus, \(P(B) = \frac{4}{25} = 0.16\). 4. The perfect squares are \(1, 4, 9, 16, 25\). Thus, \(P(C) = \frac{5}{25} = 0.2\). 5. Since \(0.16 < 0.2 < 0.36\), the order is \(B\), \(C\), \(A\).

Answer

\(P(A) = \frac{9}{25} = 36\%\), \(P(B) = \frac{4}{25} = 16\%\), and \(P(C) = \frac{1}{5} = 20\%\) Least to most likely: \(B, C, A\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 69
A spinner has \(20\) equal sections numbered \(1\) through \(20\). It is spun once. Find the probability of each event. a) The number is prime. b) The number is a factor of \(20\). c) The number \(x\) satisfies \(3x + 4 < 20\).

Hints

- Recall the definition of a prime number and that \(1\) is not prime. - List the positive divisors of \(20\). - Solve the inequality before counting the spinner outcomes. - Count the outcomes satisfying each condition.

Solution

1. There are \(20\) equally likely outcomes. 2. a) The primes are \(2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19\). Thus, \(P = \frac{8}{20} = \frac{2}{5}\). 3. b) The positive factors of \(20\) are \(1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20\). Thus, \(P = \frac{6}{20} = \frac{3}{10}\). 4. c) Solving gives \(3x < 16\), or \(x < \frac{16}{3}\). The possible spinner results are \(1, 2, 3, 4, 5\), so \(P = \frac{5}{20} = \frac{1}{4}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{2}{5} = 40\%\) b) \(\frac{3}{10} = 30\%\) c) \(\frac{1}{4} = 25\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 70
A spinner has four sections, \(A\), \(B\), \(C\), and \(D\). Their central angles are: A: \(120^\circ\), B: \(120^\circ\), C: \(60^\circ\), and D: \(60^\circ\). a) Find the probability that the spinner lands on each section. b) Explain why the outcomes in \(S = \{A, B, C, D\}\) are not equally likely. c) How should the angles be changed so that all four outcomes are equally likely? Give the new angle for each section.

Hints

- A spinner probability is the section angle divided by \(360^\circ\). - Compare the four probabilities. - Divide a full circle equally among four outcomes.

Solution

1. a) A full circle measures \(360^\circ\). Therefore, \(P(A) = \frac{120}{360} = \frac{1}{3}\), \(P(B) = \frac{1}{3}\), \(P(C) = \frac{60}{360} = \frac{1}{6}\), and \(P(D) = \frac{1}{6}\). 2. b) The probabilities are not all equal, so the four section outcomes are not equally likely. 3. c) Four equally likely sections must each have probability \(\frac{1}{4}\). Each central angle must be \(\frac{360^\circ}{4} = 90^\circ\).

Answer

a) \(P(A) = \frac{1}{3}\), \(P(B) = \frac{1}{3}\), \(P(C) = \frac{1}{6}\), and \(P(D) = \frac{1}{6}\) b) The outcomes are not equally likely because the sections have different sizes. c) Each section should have a central angle of \(90^\circ\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 71
A radio station plans a \(60\)-minute hour with this schedule: pop music (\(27\,\text{min}\)), rock music (\(15\,\text{min}\)), news (\(6\,\text{min}\)), host segments (\(5\,\text{min}\)), and commercials (\(7\,\text{min}\)). A listener turns on the radio at a time modeled as uniformly random during the hour. a) Find the probability that music is playing. b) Find the probability that a commercial is not playing. c) The station shortens the news by \(3\) minutes and adds that time to rock music. By how many percentage points does the probability of hearing rock increase?

Hints

- For a uniformly random time, use the fraction of the hour occupied by the program type. - Use a complement for no commercial. - Percentage-point change is the difference between the two percentages.

Solution

1. a) Music plays for \(27+15=42\) minutes, so \(P(\text{music})=\frac{42}{60}=70\%\). 2. b) Noncommercial programming lasts \(60-7=53\) minutes, so \(P(\text{no commercial})=\frac{53}{60}\). 3. c) Initially, \(P(\text{rock})=\frac{15}{60}=25\%\). After the change, rock lasts \(18\) minutes, so \(P(\text{rock})=\frac{18}{60}=30\%\). The increase is \(30\%-25\%=5\) percentage points.

Answer

a) \(70\%\) b) \(\frac{53}{60}\) c) \(5\) percentage points
Theoretical probability of simple events 72
An animal shelter has \(50\) animals: \(22\) dogs, \(18\) cats, \(6\) rabbits, and \(4\) birds. One animal is selected at random for a routine checkup. a) Find the probability that a bird is selected. Give the answer as a fraction and a percent. b) Find the probability that the selected animal is not a dog. c) Compare the probability of selecting a cat with the probability of selecting a rabbit or bird. Which event is more likely? Show your calculations.

Hints

- Use \(50\) as the denominator. - For not a dog, count all other animals. - Add the rabbit and bird counts before comparing.

Solution

1. a) \(P(\text{bird}) = \frac{4}{50} = \frac{2}{25} = 8\%\). 2. b) There are \(50 - 22 = 28\) animals that are not dogs. Thus, \(P(\text{not a dog}) = \frac{28}{50} = \frac{14}{25} = 56\%\). 3. c) \(P(\text{cat}) = \frac{18}{50} = 36\%\). The rabbit-or-bird count is \(6 + 4 = 10\), so \(P(\text{rabbit or bird}) = \frac{10}{50} = 20\%\). Selecting a cat is more likely.

Answer

a) \(\frac{2}{25} = 8\%\) b) \(56\%\) c) A cat is more likely: \(36\% > 20\%\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 73
A container holds \(30\) balls numbered \(1\) through \(30\). One ball is selected at random. Find the probability of each event. a) The number is a multiple of \(4\). b) The number contains the digit \(5\). c) The number has two digits and its digits have a sum of \(5\).

Hints

- What is one outcome of this draw: a digit or a whole numbered ball? - How can you organize the numbers that fit each rule before writing probabilities? - For the last condition, test possible tens digits and see which ones digits work.

Solution

1. a) The multiples of \(4\) are \(4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28\). Thus, \(P=\frac{7}{30}\). 2. b) The numbers containing the digit \(5\) are \(5, 15, 25\). Thus, \(P=\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}\). 3. c) The two-digit numbers no greater than \(30\) whose digits sum to \(5\) are \(14\) and \(23\). Thus, \(P=\frac{2}{30}=\frac{1}{15}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{7}{30}\) b) \(\frac{1}{10}\) c) \(\frac{1}{15}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 74
A bag contains \(40\) balls: \(10\) red, \(10\) blue, \(10\) green, and \(10\) yellow. Within each color, the balls are labeled with the numbers \(1\) through \(10\). One ball is chosen at random. Find the probability of each event: a) The ball is labeled \(5\). b) The ball is yellow. c) The ball is the red \(7\). d) The ball is blue but is not labeled \(10\). e) The ball is green or is labeled \(2\). f) The ball is neither red nor labeled \(1\).

Hints

- How many balls are in the bag altogether? - For each event, identify exactly which balls satisfy the condition. - For an “or” event, check whether any outcomes satisfy both conditions so you do not count them twice. - For a “neither ... nor ...” event, it may help to count the opposite event first.

Solution

1. There are \(40\) equally likely outcomes. 2. a) Each color has one ball labeled \(5\), so there are \(4\) favorable outcomes. Therefore, \(P = \frac{4}{40} = \frac{1}{10} = 0.1\). 3. b) There are \(10\) yellow balls. Therefore, \(P = \frac{10}{40} = \frac{1}{4} = 0.25\). 4. c) Exactly one ball is the red \(7\). Therefore, \(P = \frac{1}{40} = 0.025\). 5. d) Of the \(10\) blue balls, one is labeled \(10\), so \(9\) are favorable. Therefore, \(P = \frac{9}{40} = 0.225\). 6. e) There are \(10\) green balls and \(3\) additional non-green balls labeled \(2\). Therefore, \(P = \frac{10 + 3}{40} = \frac{13}{40} = 0.325\). 7. f) There are \(10\) red balls and \(4\) balls labeled \(1\), with the red \(1\) counted in both groups. Thus, \(10 + 4 - 1 = 13\) balls are red or labeled \(1\). The remaining \(40 - 13 = 27\) balls satisfy neither condition, so \(P = \frac{27}{40} = 0.675\).

Answer

a) \(P = \frac{1}{10} = 0.1\) b) \(P = \frac{1}{4} = 0.25\) c) \(P = \frac{1}{40} = 0.025\) d) \(P = \frac{9}{40} = 0.225\) e) \(P = \frac{13}{40} = 0.325\) f) \(P = \frac{27}{40} = 0.675\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 75
A warehouse has \(50\) electronic components. Of these, \(30\) came from Supplier A and \(20\) came from Supplier B. An inspection found that \(5\) components from Supplier A and \(2\) components from Supplier B are defective. One component is chosen at random. Find the probability of each event: a) The component is defective. b) The component came from Supplier A and is not defective. c) The component came from Supplier B or is defective. d) The component did not come from Supplier A and is not defective.

Hints

- Organize the counts by supplier and condition in a small table. - What does “not from Supplier A” tell you about the supplier? - In part c, avoid counting defective components from Supplier B twice.

Solution

1. There are \(50\) components total. 2. a) There are \(5 + 2 = 7\) defective components, so \(P(\text{defective}) = \frac{7}{50} = 0.14\). 3. b) Supplier A provided \(30 - 5 = 25\) components that are not defective. Therefore, \(P(\text{A and not defective}) = \frac{25}{50} = \frac{1}{2} = 0.5\). 4. c) All \(20\) components from Supplier B satisfy the event. The \(5\) defective components from Supplier A also satisfy it. Therefore, there are \(20 + 5 = 25\) favorable outcomes, so \(P(\text{B or defective}) = \frac{25}{50} = \frac{1}{2} = 0.5\). 5. d) A component that did not come from Supplier A came from Supplier B. Supplier B provided \(20 - 2 = 18\) components that are not defective. Therefore, \(P = \frac{18}{50} = \frac{9}{25} = 0.36\).

Answer

a) \(P = \frac{7}{50} = 0.14\) b) \(P = \frac{1}{2} = 0.5\) c) \(P = \frac{1}{2} = 0.5\) d) \(P = \frac{9}{25} = 0.36\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 76
A word has exactly \(12\) letters. The probability of selecting a vowel at random from its letters is \(P(\text{vowel}) = \frac{1}{3}\). The probability of selecting the letter M is \(P(M) = \frac{1}{6}\). a) How many vowels and how many Ms must the word contain? b) Determine whether the word “MATHEMATICAL” satisfies both conditions. Justify your answer.

Hints

- Multiply the total number of letters by each probability. - Check the vowel and M conditions separately. - Both conditions must be true.

Solution

1. a) The required number of vowels is \(12 \cdot \frac{1}{3} = 4\). The required number of Ms is \(12 \cdot \frac{1}{6} = 2\). 2. b) MATHEMATICAL has \(12\) letters. Its vowels are A, E, A, I, and A, for \(5\) vowels. It contains \(2\) Ms. 3. The M condition is satisfied because \(\frac{2}{12} = \frac{1}{6}\), but the vowel condition is not because \(\frac{5}{12} \neq \frac{1}{3}\). Therefore, the word does not satisfy both conditions.

Answer

a) \(4\) vowels and \(2\) Ms b) No. MATHEMATICAL has \(5\) vowels and \(2\) Ms, so only the M condition is satisfied.
Theoretical probability of simple events 77
A bag contains red, yellow, and white gummy bears. There are exactly \(12\) red gummy bears, and the probability of selecting a red gummy bear is \(0.25\). a) Find the total number of gummy bears. b) How many yellow and white gummy bears are there altogether? c) There are twice as many yellow gummy bears as white gummy bears. Find the number of yellow gummy bears.

Hints

- Write probability as red count divided by total count. - Subtract the red count from the total. - Represent the white count with a variable and the yellow count as twice that variable.

Solution

1. a) Let \(T\) be the total. Since \(\frac{12}{T} = 0.25\), \(T = \frac{12}{0.25} = 48\). 2. b) There are \(48 - 12 = 36\) yellow and white gummy bears altogether. 3. c) Let \(x\) be the number of white gummy bears. Then there are \(2x\) yellow gummy bears. The equation \(x + 2x = 36\) gives \(x = 12\), so there are \(24\) yellow gummy bears.

Answer

a) \(48\) gummy bears b) \(36\) yellow and white gummy bears altogether c) \(24\) yellow gummy bears
Theoretical probability of simple events 78
Two bags contain colored counters. Bag A contains \(5\) blue and \(15\) red counters. Bag B contains only green and yellow counters. The probability of drawing a red counter from Bag A equals the probability of drawing a green counter from Bag B. a) Bag B contains \(12\) green counters. Find the number of yellow counters in Bag B. b) All counters from both bags are combined. Find the probability of drawing a red counter from the combined container.

Hints

- First find the red probability in Bag A. - Use an equation to find the total in Bag B. - When the bags are combined, update the total but not the red count.

Solution

1. The probability of red from Bag A is \(\frac{15}{20}=\frac{3}{4}\). 2. a) Let \(T\) be the total number of counters in Bag B. Then \(\frac{12}{T}=\frac{3}{4}\), so \(T=16\). Therefore, Bag B has \(16-12=4\) yellow counters. 3. b) The combined container has \(20+16=36\) counters, including \(15\) red counters. Thus, \(P(\text{red})=\frac{15}{36}=\frac{5}{12}\).

Answer

a) \(4\) yellow counters b) \(\frac{5}{12}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 79
A school raffle has grand-prize tickets, small-prize tickets, and losing tickets. The probability of a grand prize is \(\frac{1}{50}\), and the probability of a small prize is \(\frac{1}{5}\). The raffle box contains exactly \(390\) losing tickets. a) How many tickets were prepared altogether? b) How many grand-prize tickets are there?

Hints

- Find the losing-ticket probability, then set losing tickets divided by total tickets equal to that probability. - Multiply the total number of tickets by the grand-prize probability.

Solution

1. The losing-ticket probability is \(1 - \frac{1}{50} - \frac{1}{5} = 1 - \frac{11}{50} = \frac{39}{50}\). 2. a) Let \(T\) be the total number of tickets. Since \(\frac{390}{T} = \frac{39}{50}\), \(T = 500\). 3. b) The number of grand-prize tickets is \(500 \cdot \frac{1}{50} = 10\).

Answer

a) \(500\) tickets b) \(10\) grand-prize tickets
Theoretical probability of simple events 80
A container holds \(40\) red, blue, and green counters. It contains \(15\) red counters and \(10\) blue counters. a) Find the probability of drawing a green counter. b) Find the probability of not drawing a blue counter. c) Some red counters are removed. Afterward, the probability of drawing a blue counter is exactly \(\frac{1}{3}\). How many red counters were removed?

Hints

- How can you account for all three colors in the starting container? - Which results do not count as blue? - For part c, compare the container before and after some red counters are removed. - What must the new fraction of blue counters equal?

Solution

1. There are \(40-15-10=15\) green counters. 2. a) \(P(\text{green})=\frac{15}{40}=\frac{3}{8}\). 3. b) There are \(30\) counters that are not blue, so \(P(\text{not blue})=\frac{30}{40}=\frac{3}{4}\). 4. c) Let \(x\) be the number of red counters removed. Then \(\frac{10}{40-x}=\frac{1}{3}\). Solving gives \(30=40-x\), so \(x=10\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{3}{8}\) b) \(\frac{3}{4}\) c) \(10\) red counters
Theoretical probability of simple events 81
A fair spinner has \(10\) equal sections labeled \(1\) through \(10\). You win when the spinner lands on a perfect square or a prime number. Let \(G\) be the winning event. a) Write the sample space \(S\) and the set of outcomes in event \(G\). b) Describe the complement \(\overline{G}\) in words without using the word “not.” c) Find \(P(G)\) and \(P(\overline{G})\) as decimals. What relationship do you notice between the two probabilities?

Hints

- Which numbers from \(1\) through \(10\) are perfect squares? - Which numbers from \(1\) through \(10\) are prime? - After identifying the winning outcomes, which outcomes remain? - For a fair spinner, how is probability calculated from the number of favorable sections?

Solution

1. The sample space is \(S = \{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10\}\). 2. a) The perfect squares are \(1, 4, 9\), and the prime numbers are \(2, 3, 5, 7\). Therefore, \(G = \{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9\}\). 3. b) The outcomes outside \(G\) are \(6, 8, 10\). Thus, \(\overline{G}\) is the event that the spinner lands on \(6\), \(8\), or \(10\). 4. c) There are \(7\) winning outcomes and \(3\) outcomes in the complement. Therefore, \(P(G) = \frac{7}{10} = 0.7\) and \(P(\overline{G}) = \frac{3}{10} = 0.3\). 5. An event and its complement include every outcome without overlap, so \(P(G) + P(\overline{G}) = 1\).

Answer

a) \(S = \{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10\}\); \(G = \{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9\}\) b) \(\overline{G}\): The spinner lands on \(6\), \(8\), or \(10\). c) \(P(G) = 0.7\) and \(P(\overline{G}) = 0.3\). Their sum is \(1\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 82
A spinner is divided into \(12\) equal sections. Each section is labeled \(1\), \(2\), or \(3\). a) How many sections should have each label so that the outcomes \(S = \{1, 2, 3\}\) are equally likely? b) Suppose \(2\) sections are labeled \(1\), \(4\) are labeled \(2\), and \(6\) are labeled \(3\). Find \(P(1)\), \(P(2)\), and \(P(3)\). Are the three outcomes equally likely? c) Someone says, “For the spinner in part b, if I record only whether the number is odd or even, the two outcomes are equally likely.” Test the claim mathematically.

Hints

- Divide the \(12\) sections equally among the three labels for part a. - Probability equals the number of matching sections divided by \(12\). - For part c, combine the sections labeled \(1\) and \(3\).

Solution

1. a) Each of three equally likely labels must appear on \(\frac{1}{3} \cdot 12 = 4\) sections. 2. b) \(P(1) = \frac{2}{12} = \frac{1}{6}\), \(P(2) = \frac{4}{12} = \frac{1}{3}\), and \(P(3) = \frac{6}{12} = \frac{1}{2}\). The probabilities are different, so the outcomes are not equally likely. 3. c) Even occurs on the \(4\) sections labeled \(2\), while odd occurs on the \(2 + 6 = 8\) sections labeled \(1\) or \(3\). Thus, \(P(\text{even}) = \frac{4}{12} = \frac{1}{3}\) and \(P(\text{odd}) = \frac{8}{12} = \frac{2}{3}\). The claim is false.

Answer

a) \(4\) sections for each label b) \(P(1) = \frac{1}{6}\), \(P(2) = \frac{1}{3}\), and \(P(3) = \frac{1}{2}\); not equally likely c) The claim is false because \(P(\text{even}) = \frac{1}{3}\) and \(P(\text{odd}) = \frac{2}{3}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 83
A fair \(12\)-sided die is labeled \(1\) through \(12\) and rolled once. a) Find the probability that the result is prime. b) Find the probability that the result is divisible by \(3\) or by \(4\). c) The current winning rule is “win if the result is greater than \(9\).” Change the rule so that the winning probability is exactly \(\frac{1}{3}\). Give one possible new condition.

Hints

- List the outcomes from \(1\) through \(12\) that satisfy each condition. - Do not count \(12\) twice in part b. - Find how many favorable outcomes correspond to probability \(\frac{1}{3}\).

Solution

1. a) The prime results are \(2, 3, 5, 7, 11\), so \(P = \frac{5}{12}\). 2. b) The results divisible by \(3\) are \(3, 6, 9, 12\), and those divisible by \(4\) are \(4, 8, 12\). Their union is \(\{3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12\}\), so \(P = \frac{6}{12} = \frac{1}{2}\). 3. c) A probability of \(\frac{1}{3}\) requires \(12 \cdot \frac{1}{3} = 4\) winning outcomes. One possible rule is “win if the result is greater than \(8\),” which gives \(9, 10, 11, 12\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{5}{12}\) b) \(\frac{1}{2}\) c) One possible rule is “the result is greater than \(8\).”
Theoretical probability of simple events 84
A container holds \(20\) balls numbered \(1\) through \(20\). One ball is selected at random. The numbers are placed in three prize classes: - Class \(A\): prime numbers - Class \(B\): composite numbers that are divisible by \(4\) - Class \(C\): all remaining numbers Find the probability distribution for the three classes. Give the probabilities as decimals.

Hints

- Assign every number from \(1\) through \(20\) to exactly one class. - Remember that \(1\) is neither prime nor composite. - A composite number has more than two positive factors. - Check that the three probabilities add to \(1\).

Solution

1. Class \(A\) contains the primes \(2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19\), for \(8\) outcomes. Thus, \(P(A) = \frac{8}{20} = 0.4\). 2. Class \(B\) contains \(4, 8, 12, 16, 20\), for \(5\) outcomes. Thus, \(P(B) = \frac{5}{20} = 0.25\). 3. Class \(C\) contains the remaining numbers \(1, 6, 9, 10, 14, 15, 18\), for \(7\) outcomes. Thus, \(P(C) = \frac{7}{20} = 0.35\). 4. The probabilities add to \(0.4 + 0.25 + 0.35 = 1\).

Answer

\(P(A) = 0.4\) \(P(B) = 0.25\) \(P(C) = 0.35\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 85
A game set has one tile for each distinct letter in the word “MATHEMATICS.” The tiles are colored using these rules: - Red: vowels among the distinct letters - Blue: consonants among the distinct letters that also occur in the word “SCIENCE” - Green: all remaining distinct letters from MATHEMATICS One tile is selected at random. Find the probability distribution for red, blue, and green.

Hints

- List each distinct letter only once. - Classify vowels first. - For the blue tiles, compare the remaining consonants with SCIENCE. - Assign every distinct letter to exactly one color.

Solution

1. The distinct letters in MATHEMATICS are \(\{M, A, T, H, E, I, C, S\}\), giving \(8\) tiles. 2. The red vowels are \(A, E, I\), giving \(3\) red tiles. Thus, \(P(\text{red}) = \frac{3}{8}\). 3. The consonants shared with SCIENCE are \(C\) and \(S\), giving \(2\) blue tiles. Thus, \(P(\text{blue}) = \frac{2}{8} = \frac{1}{4}\). 4. The remaining letters are \(M, T, H\), giving \(3\) green tiles. Thus, \(P(\text{green}) = \frac{3}{8}\).

Answer

\(P(\text{red}) = \frac{3}{8}\) \(P(\text{blue}) = \frac{1}{4}\) \(P(\text{green}) = \frac{3}{8}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 86
Imagine that your class elects a class representative and each student casts one vote. Decide whether the election itself is a random chance experiment. Compare it with drawing one student’s name from a well-mixed container holding every class member’s name.

Hints

- Is the outcome produced by a chance mechanism or by deliberate choices? - An outcome can be uncertain without being generated randomly. - What feature of the name drawing makes probabilities meaningful?

Solution

1. A random chance experiment uses a chance mechanism to select among known possible outcomes. 2. In an election, students make intentional choices. The result may be uncertain beforehand, but the voting process is not itself a random mechanism. 3. Drawing one name from a well-mixed container is a random experiment because the selection is made by a chance process and each name can be assigned a probability. 4. Therefore, the election is not a random chance experiment in this sense, while the name drawing is.

Answer

The election is not a random chance experiment because its outcome is produced by students’ choices rather than a chance mechanism. Drawing a name from a well-mixed container is a random experiment because the selection is made randomly from known possible outcomes.
Theoretical probability of simple events 87
A container holds \(25\) tickets numbered \(1\) through \(25\). One ticket is selected without looking. Determine which event is more likely. Event \(A\): The number is divisible by \(4\). Event \(B\): The number contains the digit \(2\).

Hints

- List the numbers satisfying each condition. - Include numbers such as \(20\) and \(22\) in event \(B\). - Compare the favorable counts because both events have the same total of \(25\) outcomes.

Solution

1. Event \(A\) contains \(4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24\), for \(6\) outcomes. Thus, \(P(A) = \frac{6}{25} = 24\%\). 2. Event \(B\) contains \(2, 12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25\), for \(8\) outcomes. Thus, \(P(B) = \frac{8}{25} = 32\%\). 3. Since \(32\% > 24\%\), event \(B\) is more likely.

Answer

Event \(B\) is more likely. \(P(A) = 24\%\), and \(P(B) = 32\%\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 88
A fair spinner has \(8\) equal sections labeled \(1\) through \(8\). Tim and Sarah play a game: Tim wins when the spinner lands on a prime number. Sarah wins when the spinner lands on a number greater than \(4\). a) Use probabilities to determine whether the game is fair. In other words, do Tim and Sarah have the same chance of winning? b) Find the probability that both players win on the same spin.

Hints

- What does “fair” mean in terms of the two winning probabilities? - Which numbers from \(1\) through \(8\) are prime? - For part b, identify the outcomes that satisfy both winning conditions.

Solution

1. Tim wins on the prime numbers \(2, 3, 5, 7\), so \(P(\text{Tim wins}) = \frac{4}{8} = \frac{1}{2} = 50\%\). 2. Sarah wins on \(5, 6, 7, 8\), so \(P(\text{Sarah wins}) = \frac{4}{8} = \frac{1}{2} = 50\%\). 3. The two players have equal winning probabilities, so the game is fair by the stated definition. 4. Both players win when the outcome is prime and greater than \(4\). The common outcomes are \(5\) and \(7\), so \(P(\text{both win}) = \frac{2}{8} = \frac{1}{4} = 25\%\).

Answer

a) Yes. The game is fair because each player has a winning probability of \(50\%\). b) \(P(\text{both win}) = \frac{1}{4} = 25\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 89
Two classes sell raffle tickets for a fundraiser. Class A has \(120\) tickets, including \(30\) winning tickets. Class B has \(150\) tickets, including \(40\) winning tickets. a) Which class has the greater probability of drawing a winning ticket? Compare the probabilities. b) How many losing tickets must be added to Class B so that both classes have exactly the same winning probability?

Hints

- Compare winning tickets divided by total tickets for each class. - In part b, the number of winning tickets stays \(40\). - Write an equation for the new total that gives the same probability as Class A.

Solution

1. Class A has winning probability \(\frac{30}{120}=\frac{1}{4}\). 2. Class B has winning probability \(\frac{40}{150}=\frac{4}{15}\). Since \(\frac{4}{15}>\frac{1}{4}\), Class B has the greater probability. 3. To match Class A, Class B must have \(\frac{40}{x}=\frac{1}{4}\), where \(x\) is its new total number of tickets. Thus \(x=160\). 4. Class B needs \(160-150=10\) additional losing tickets.

Answer

a) Class B: \(\frac{4}{15}\), compared with \(\frac{1}{4}\) for Class A. b) \(10\) losing tickets.
Theoretical probability of simple events 90
Odds and probabilities can describe the same chance event. a) The odds in favor of winning are \(3\) to \(5\). Find the probability of winning. b) An event has probability \(0.375\). Write the odds in favor of the event as \(a\) to \(b\), where \(a\) and \(b\) have no common factor. c) The odds against winning a game are \(9\) to \(1\). Find the probability of winning. d) If the odds in favor of winning are \(x\) to \(y\), write a formula for the probability of winning.

Hints

- Add the favorable and unfavorable parts to find the total number of parts. - Convert the decimal probability to a fraction. - Read “odds against” carefully. - Generalize the favorable-part fraction.

Solution

1. Odds of \(3\) to \(5\) mean \(3\) favorable parts and \(5\) unfavorable parts. Thus, \(P(\text{win})=\frac{3}{3+5}=\frac{3}{8}=0.375\). 2. Since \(0.375=\frac{3}{8}\), the favorable-to-unfavorable ratio is \(3:(8-3)=3:5\). 3. Odds against winning of \(9\) to \(1\) mean \(9\) losses for every \(1\) win. Thus, \(P(\text{win})=\frac{1}{9+1}=0.1\). 4. In general, \(P(\text{win})=\frac{x}{x+y}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{3}{8}=0.375\) b) \(3\) to \(5\) c) \(\frac{1}{10}=0.1\) d) \(P(\text{win})=\frac{x}{x+y}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 91
At the school fair, a game uses a fair eight-sided die labeled \(1\) through \(8\). a) A player wins by rolling a prime number. Find the odds in favor of winning. b) Find the probability of winning. How is it different from the odds in part a)? c) The rules change so exactly three of the eight numbers win. What are the new odds in favor? Give one possible set of winning numbers.

Hints

- How many faces meet the game's winning rule? - For odds, what do you compare? For probability, what do you compare? - In the changed game, how many faces must lose?

Solution

1. The prime numbers are \(2,3,5,7\), so \(4\) faces win and \(4\) lose. The odds in favor are \(4\) to \(4\), or \(1\) to \(1\). 2. Probability compares winning faces with all \(8\) faces, giving \(\frac{4}{8}=\frac{1}{2}\). Odds compare wins with losses instead. 3. If \(3\) faces win, \(5\) lose. The new odds in favor are \(3\) to \(5\). For example, \(1,2,3\) could be winning numbers.

Answer

a) \(1\) to \(1\) b) \(\frac{1}{2}\); probability compares wins to all outcomes, while odds compare wins to losses. c) \(3\) to \(5\); for example, numbers \(1,2,3\) win.
Theoretical probability of simple events 92
A spinner is divided into \(12\) equal sections, including \(4\) blue sections. Landing on a blue section wins the grand prize. a) What is the probability of winning the grand prize on one spin? Write your answer as a fraction in simplest form. b) About how many grand prizes would you expect in \(150\) spins?

Hints

- Compare the number of blue sections with the total number of equal sections. - Simplify the resulting fraction for the one-spin probability. - For the expected count, apply the one-spin probability to all \(150\) spins.

Solution

1. There are \(4\) blue sections out of \(12\) equal sections. 2. Therefore, the probability of a grand prize is \(\frac{4}{12}=\frac{1}{3}\). 3. In \(150\) spins, the expected number of grand prizes is \(150\cdot\frac{1}{3}=50\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{3}\) b) About \(50\) grand prizes
Theoretical probability of simple events 93
A spinner is divided into \(8\) equal sections, and \(3\) sections are blue. a) What is the probability of landing on blue in one spin? b) What is the probability of not landing on blue? c) About how many times would you expect the spinner to land on blue in \(120\) spins?

Hints

- Compare the number of blue sections with all equal sections. - Use the complement relationship for part b. - Apply the one-spin probability to \(120\) spins for part c.

Solution

1. There are \(3\) blue sections out of \(8\) equal sections, so \(P(\text{blue})=\frac{3}{8}=37.5\%\). 2. The probability of not landing on blue is the complement: \(1-\frac{3}{8}=\frac{5}{8}=62.5\%\). 3. In \(120\) spins, the expected number of blue results is \(120\cdot\frac{3}{8}=45\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{3}{8}\), or \(37.5\%\) b) \(\frac{5}{8}\), or \(62.5\%\) c) About \(45\) times
Theoretical probability of simple events 94
The spinner shown has \(8\) equal sections labeled with numbers and colors. It is spun once. Find the probability of each event. a) \(E_1\): The number is divisible by \(5\). b) \(E_2\): The number is prime or the section is yellow. c) \(E_3\): The number is odd and the section is not blue.
Figure for problem 531996

Hints

- Read the eight number-and-color outcomes directly from the spinner. - For “or,” include outcomes satisfying either condition and count any overlap once. - For “and,” keep only outcomes satisfying both conditions.

Solution

1. The spinner has \(8\) equally likely outcomes. 2. For \(E_1\), the numbers divisible by \(5\) are \(5,15,20,25\), giving \(P(E_1)=\frac{4}{8}=\frac{1}{2}\). 3. For \(E_2\), the prime numbers are \(2,3,5\), and the yellow sections contain \(12\) and \(15\). These are \(5\) distinct outcomes, so \(P(E_2)=\frac{5}{8}\). 4. For \(E_3\), the odd numbers are \(3,5,15,25\). Excluding the blue section labeled \(5\) leaves \(3,15,25\), so \(P(E_3)=\frac{3}{8}\).

Answer

a) \(P(E_1)=\frac{1}{2}=50\%\) b) \(P(E_2)=\frac{5}{8}=62.5\%\) c) \(P(E_3)=\frac{3}{8}=37.5\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 95
Spin once. All sections are equal in size. Find the probability of each event. a) \(A\): The section is red or the number is prime. b) \(B\): The section is yellow and the number is even.
Figure for problem 532003

Hints

- Check both the number and the color of each section. - Could a section satisfy more than one condition in part a? - How is “and” different from “or” when choosing sections?

Solution

1. The spinner has \(12\) equally likely outcomes. 2. For event \(A\), the red sections contain \(1,5,9,13\), and the prime numbers are \(2,3,5,7,11,13\). Their union is \(1,2,3,5,7,9,11,13\), giving \(8\) favorable outcomes. Thus, \(P(A)=\frac{8}{12}=\frac{2}{3}\). 3. For event \(B\), the yellow sections contain \(3,8,12,15\). The even yellow numbers are \(8\) and \(12\), so \(P(B)=\frac{2}{12}=\frac{1}{6}\).

Answer

a) \(P(A)=\frac{2}{3}\) b) \(P(B)=\frac{1}{6}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 96
The spinner shown has \(8\) equal sections numbered \(1\) through \(8\) and colored red, blue, green, or yellow. It is spun once. Find the probability of each event. a) The number is odd and the section is red. b) The number is greater than \(4\) or the section is blue.
Figure for problem 532011

Hints

- Read the number and color on each equal section from the spinner. - For part a, keep only outcomes satisfying both conditions. - For part b, combine the two sets without counting an overlap twice.

Solution

1. The spinner has \(8\) equally likely outcomes, so each section has probability \(\frac{1}{8}\). 2. For part a, the outcomes that are both odd and red are \(1\) and \(5\). Therefore, the probability is \(\frac{2}{8}=\frac{1}{4}\). 3. For part b, the numbers greater than \(4\) are \(5,6,7,8\), and the blue sections contain \(2\) and \(6\). Their union is \(2,5,6,7,8\), so the probability is \(\frac{5}{8}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{4}\), or \(25\%\) b) \(\frac{5}{8}\), or \(62.5\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 97
One ball is selected at random from the urn. Find each probability as a fraction in simplest form and as a percent. a) Event \(A\): The ball is red or has an even number. b) Event \(B\): The ball is not green and has a number greater than \(1\).
Figure for problem 532031

Hints

- Begin with the total number of balls. - For part a, combine the red balls and even-numbered balls, counting any overlap only once. - For part b, keep only balls that satisfy both conditions. - Convert each simplified fraction to a percent.

Solution

1. There are \(8\) equally likely balls. 2. For event \(A\), the red balls are red-\(1\), red-\(2\), and red-\(3\). The even-numbered balls are red-\(2\), blue-\(2\), and green-\(2\). Combining them without counting red-\(2\) twice gives \(5\) favorable balls, so \(P(A)=\frac{5}{8}=62.5\%\). 3. For event \(B\), the non-green balls with numbers greater than \(1\) are red-\(2\), red-\(3\), blue-\(2\), and blue-\(3\). Thus, \(P(B)=\frac{4}{8}=\frac{1}{2}=50\%\).

Answer

a) \(P(A)=\frac{5}{8}=62.5\%\) b) \(P(B)=\frac{1}{2}=50\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 98
One ball is selected at random from the urn. a) Find the probability of selecting a blue ball. Write the probability as a fraction in simplest form and as a percent. b) How many gray balls must be added so that the probability of selecting a blue ball is exactly \(25\%\)?
Figure for problem 532064

Hints

- What two counts are needed for the chance of drawing blue? - Think about what is added to the urn in part b. - What fraction would represent a one-in-four chance after the change?

Solution

1. The urn contains \(6\) blue balls and \(9\) gray balls, for a total of \(15\) balls. 2. Therefore, \(P(\text{blue})=\frac{6}{15}=\frac{2}{5}=40\%\). 3. The blue count stays at \(6\). If \(x\) gray balls are added, the new total is \(15+x\), so \(\frac{6}{15+x}=\frac{1}{4}\). 4. Cross-multiplying gives \(24=15+x\), so \(x=9\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{2}{5}=40\%\) b) \(9\) gray balls
Theoretical probability of simple events 99
The spinner shown has \(16\) equal sections numbered \(1\) through \(16\) and colored red, blue, green, or yellow. It is spun once. Find each probability as a fraction in simplest form and as a percent. a) The section is green and its number is odd. b) The number is greater than \(10\). c) The section is red or its number is even.
Figure for problem 532071

Hints

- Read the number and color of each section from the spinner. - For “and,” keep only outcomes satisfying both conditions. - For “or,” combine the favorable sets and count overlaps once.

Solution

1. The green sections are numbered \(3,7,11,15\), and all four are odd, so the probability in part a is \(\frac{4}{16}=\frac{1}{4}=25\%\). 2. The numbers greater than \(10\) are \(11,12,13,14,15,16\), so the probability in part b is \(\frac{6}{16}=\frac{3}{8}=37.5\%\). 3. The red sections are \(1,5,9,13\), and the even-numbered sections are \(2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16\). These do not overlap, so there are \(12\) favorable outcomes. Thus, the probability in part c is \(\frac{12}{16}=\frac{3}{4}=75\%\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{4}=25\%\) b) \(\frac{3}{8}=37.5\%\) c) \(\frac{3}{4}=75\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 100
An urn contains \(12\) numbered and colored balls, as shown. One ball is selected at random. Find each probability as a fraction in simplest form. a) \(E_1\): The ball has an even number. b) \(E_2\): The ball is blue and has a number greater than \(5\). c) \(E_3\): The number is divisible by \(3\), or the ball is red.
Figure for problem 532093

Hints

- Read each ball's number and color directly from the urn. - For “and,” keep only outcomes satisfying both conditions. - For “or,” combine the favorable outcomes without double-counting.

Solution

1. There are \(12\) equally likely balls. 2. For \(E_1\), the even numbers are \(2,4,6,8,10,12\), so \(P(E_1)=\frac{6}{12}=\frac{1}{2}\). 3. The blue balls are \(2,6,10\). Those greater than \(5\) are \(6\) and \(10\), so \(P(E_2)=\frac{2}{12}=\frac{1}{6}\). 4. The numbers divisible by \(3\) are \(3,6,9,12\), and the red balls are \(1,5,9\). Their union has \(6\) outcomes, so \(P(E_3)=\frac{6}{12}=\frac{1}{2}\).

Answer

a) \(P(E_1)=\frac{1}{2}\) b) \(P(E_2)=\frac{1}{6}\) c) \(P(E_3)=\frac{1}{2}\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 101
The urn shown contains \(10\) numbered, colored balls. One ball is selected without looking. Find each probability. a) The ball is red or is labeled \(2\). b) The ball is blue and has an odd number. c) The ball is not red and is not labeled \(1\).
Figure for problem 532118

Hints

- Read all \(10\) color-number outcomes from the urn. - For “or,” combine favorable sets without double-counting. - For “and,” keep only balls satisfying both conditions.

Solution

1. There are \(10\) equally likely balls. 2. For part a, the three red balls are favorable, along with the blue-\(2\) and green-\(2\) balls. That gives \(5\) favorable balls, so the probability is \(\frac{5}{10}=\frac{1}{2}=50\%\). 3. For part b, blue-\(1\) and blue-\(3\) are favorable, so the probability is \(\frac{2}{10}=\frac{1}{5}=20\%\). 4. For part c, the favorable balls are blue-\(2\), blue-\(3\), blue-\(4\), green-\(2\), and green-\(3\). Thus, the probability is \(\frac{5}{10}=\frac{1}{2}=50\%\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{2}=50\%\) b) \(\frac{1}{5}=20\%\) c) \(\frac{1}{2}=50\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 102
The spinner shown has \(10\) equal sections numbered \(1\) through \(10\) and colored yellow, green, red, or blue. It is spun once. Find each probability as a fraction in simplest form and as a percent. a) The number is even. b) The section is green or yellow. c) The number is less than \(6\), or the section is blue. d) The section is not green and the number is not odd.
Figure for problem 532128

Hints

- Read the color of each numbered section from the spinner. - For “or,” combine favorable outcomes without double-counting. - In part d, first translate “not odd” into a number property.

Solution

1. The spinner has \(10\) equally likely outcomes. 2. The even numbers are \(2,4,6,8,10\), so part a is \(\frac{5}{10}=\frac{1}{2}=50\%\). 3. The green or yellow sections are \(1,2,5,7,8,10\), so part b is \(\frac{6}{10}=\frac{3}{5}=60\%\). 4. The numbers less than \(6\) are \(1,2,3,4,5\), and blue adds \(9\) beyond those. Thus, part c is \(\frac{6}{10}=\frac{3}{5}=60\%\). 5. “Not odd” means even. Among the even-numbered sections, \(4,6,10\) are not green, so part d is \(\frac{3}{10}=30\%\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{2}=50\%\) b) \(\frac{3}{5}=60\%\) c) \(\frac{3}{5}=60\%\) d) \(\frac{3}{10}=30\%\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 103
Spin the spinner once. Let \(A\) be the event “The number is prime or the section is blue.” a) Write the set of numerical outcomes in event \(A\). b) Describe the complement \(\overline{A}\) in words and find \(P(\overline{A})\).
Figure for problem 532165

Hints

- Identify the prime-numbered sections and the blue sections on the spinner. - For “or,” take every outcome satisfying at least one condition. - The complement contains all spinner outcomes not in event \(A\).

Solution

1. The prime numbers from \(1\) through \(12\) are \(2,3,5,7,11\). 2. The blue sections are numbered \(9,10,11,12\). Their union gives \(A=\{2,3,5,7,9,10,11,12\}\). 3. The complement consists of outcomes that are neither prime nor blue: \(\overline{A}=\{1,4,6,8\}\). 4. Therefore, \(P(\overline{A})=\frac{4}{12}=\frac{1}{3}\).

Answer

a) \(A=\{2,3,5,7,9,10,11,12\}\) b) \(\overline{A}\): The number is not prime and the section is not blue. \(P(\overline{A})=\frac{1}{3}\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 104
A school carnival has a prize-wheel game. The spinner shown has \(10\) equal sections numbered \(1\) through \(10\), colored yellow or purple. <table> <tr> <th>Prize</th> <th>Condition</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Grand prize</td> <td>Yellow section with a prime number</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Small prize</td> <td>Purple section with an even number</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Consolation prize</td> <td>Section numbered \(1\) or \(10\)</td> </tr> </table> Find the probability of winning at least one prize on one spin. Write the result as a fraction in simplest form and as a percent.
Figure for problem 535904

Hints

- Read each number's color from the spinner before applying the prize conditions. - List the outcomes satisfying each prize rule. - Combine the winning lists without counting an outcome twice.

Solution

1. The spinner has \(10\) equally likely outcomes. 2. The yellow prime-numbered sections are \(2\) and \(7\). 3. The purple even-numbered sections are \(6,8,10\). 4. The consolation-prize sections are \(1\) and \(10\). 5. Combining the winning outcomes without counting \(10\) twice gives \(1,2,6,7,8,10\), so the probability is \(\frac{6}{10}=\frac{3}{5}=60\%\).

Answer

The probability of winning at least one prize is \(\frac{3}{5}\), or \(60\%\).
Theoretical probability of simple events 105
At a school carnival, you may choose one of two spinners. Every section on each spinner is the same size. Spinner A has \(15\) sections numbered \(1\) through \(15\), and you win by landing on a prime number. Spinner B has \(20\) sections numbered \(1\) through \(20\), and you win by landing on a multiple of \(3\). a) Find the winning probability for each spinner as a percent. b) Which spinner gives the greater chance of winning? Explain. c) How many winning sections in total would Spinner B need for its winning probability to be exactly \(45\%\)?

Hints

- Count primes in the first numbered sample space and multiples of \(3\) in the second. - Divide each winning count by its spinner's total number of sections. - For part c, translate \(45\%\) of \(20\) into a winning-section count.

Solution

1. The primes from \(1\) through \(15\) are \(2,3,5,7,11,13\), so Spinner A has \(6\) winning sections and \(P(A)=\frac{6}{15}=40\%\). 2. The multiples of \(3\) from \(1\) through \(20\) are \(3,6,9,12,15,18\), so Spinner B has \(6\) winning sections and \(P(B)=\frac{6}{20}=30\%\). 3. Since \(40\%>30\%\), Spinner A gives the greater chance of winning. 4. For Spinner B to have winning probability \(45\%\), it needs \(0.45\cdot20=9\) winning sections.

Answer

a) Spinner A: \(40\%\); Spinner B: \(30\%\) b) Spinner A, because \(40\%>30\%\) c) \(9\) winning sections in total
Theoretical probability of simple events 106
An urn contains \(20\) balls numbered \(1\) through \(20\). One ball is selected at random. For each event, list its outcomes and find its probability. a) \(E_1\): The number is prime. b) \(E_2\): The number is a multiple of \(4\). c) \(E_3\): The number is a perfect square.

Hints

- Work within the equally likely outcomes \(1\) through \(20\). - List every number satisfying each event before counting. - Remember that \(1\) is not prime.

Solution

1. There are \(20\) equally likely outcomes. 2. \(E_1=\{2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19\}\), so \(P(E_1)=\frac{8}{20}=\frac{2}{5}=0.4\). 3. \(E_2=\{4,8,12,16,20\}\), so \(P(E_2)=\frac{5}{20}=\frac{1}{4}=0.25\). 4. \(E_3=\{1,4,9,16\}\), so \(P(E_3)=\frac{4}{20}=\frac{1}{5}=0.2\).

Answer

a) \(E_1=\{2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19\}\); \(P(E_1)=0.4\) b) \(E_2=\{4,8,12,16,20\}\); \(P(E_2)=0.25\) c) \(E_3=\{1,4,9,16\}\); \(P(E_3)=0.2\)
Theoretical probability of simple events 107
A box contains \(40\) marbles. Of the marbles, \(25\%\) are blue and the rest are white. How many blue marbles must be added so that the probability of drawing a blue marble is exactly \(40\%\)? Do not change the number of white marbles. Justify your reasoning.

Hints

- Find the initial blue and white counts. - Adding blue marbles changes both the favorable count and the total count. - The number of white marbles stays unchanged while blue marbles are added. - Let a variable represent the number added and write a probability equation.

Solution

1. Initially, there are \(0.25 \cdot 40 = 10\) blue marbles and \(30\) white marbles. 2. Let \(x\) be the number of blue marbles added. Then the new blue count is \(10 + x\), and the new total is \(40 + x\). 3. Set up the equation \(\frac{10 + x}{40 + x} = 0.4\). 4. Solve: \(10 + x = 0.4(40 + x)\), so \(10 + x = 16 + 0.4x\). Then \(0.6x = 6\), giving \(x = 10\). 5. Check: after adding \(10\) blue marbles, \(\frac{20}{50} = 0.4\).

Answer

\(10\) blue marbles must be added.

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