Probability

Contents
• Probability
QA - 32
CEX-Q-0233/20

Number of Questions : 20

1. A box contains 6 red balls, 7 green balls and 4. 7 people were sitting around a circular table.
5 blue balls. Each ball is of a different size. What is the probability of 2 of them always
The probability that the red ball selected is being next to each other?
the smallest red ball is: (1) 0.33
(CAT 1 99 3) (2) 0.1
1 1 (3) 0.167
(1) (2)
18 3 (4) None of these
1 2
(3) (4) 5. Out of 2n consecutive integers, if (n + 1)
6 3
integers are selected at random, what is the
probability that the HCF of selected numbers
2. 30 Students of a class were asked to prepare
is 1?
one project each. Each project was to be
assessed by 2 professors namely Don and 1
(1) 1 (2)
Ron. Don usually rejects 40% of the projects (n + 1)
that he evaluates while Ron accepts only 40%
1 1
of the projects that he evaluates. When a (3) (4)
student gets his project evaluated from both 2 (n + 2)
the professors, what is the probability of
getting a rejection from both? 6. Ramesh has a special set of cards for new
(1) 0.5 (2) 0.8 game he invented. He has two packs of 6
(3) 0.24 (4) 0.6 cards each with their value ranging from 1 to
6. In that game, Ramesh shuffles the cards
3. Bag I contains 3 red and 4 black balls while
of both packs (i.e. 12 cards) and draws 4
bag II contains 5 red and 6 black balls. One
ball is drawn at random from one of the bags cards. He tries to find any pair with the same
and it was found to be red. Find the probability value. What is probability that at least one
that it was drawn from bag II. pair will have the same value?
2 32 18 17
(1) (2) (1) (2)
3 41 35 33
35 1 14 16
(3) (4) (3) (4)
68 5 37 33

QA - 32 Page 1
7. You buy 20 eggs from the market of which 2 11. A group of friends have decided to take a road
are rotten. You randomly pick 4 eggs to trip. Whenever they come to a fork in the road,
prepare scrambled eggs for breakfast (if any they will toss a fair coin to decide whether to
one of the 4 eggs are rotten, then it will make head right or left. If the coin shows heads,
the breakfast unetable). What is the they will head right. If the coin shows tails,
probability that the preparation turns out to they will head left. If the friends have made
be uneatable? seven decisions, what is the probability that
(1) 0.368 (2) 0.5 they took exactly four lefts?
(3) 0.116 (4) None of these
1 1
(a) (2)
16 32
8. If a 4 digit number is formed with digits 1, 2,
3 and 5. What is the probability that the 21 35
(3) (4)
number is divisible by 25, if repetition of digits 25 128
is not allowed?
(CAT 1995) 12. In a defective 6 faced die with numbers 1 to 6
1 1 inscribed, the probability of getting an odd
(1) (2) number is twice the probability of getting an
12 24
even number. Find the probability of getting a
1 1 2 digit prime number on adding 2 successive
(3) (4)
6 18 throws of the die, if among the even numbers
all are equally likely and same is true for odd
9. A chord AB of a circle subtends an angle 60° numbers.
on the centre of the circle. If any point C is 2 4
taken randomly on circumference of the circle, (1) (2)
81 81
then what is the probability that centre of the
circle lies inside the triangle ABC? 1 1
(3) (4)
1 3 9
(1)
4
13. Ramesh plans to order a birthday gift for his
1 friend from an online retailer. However, the
(2)
6 birthday coincides with the festival season
during which there is a huge demand for
1
(3) buying online goods and hence deliveries are
9
often delayed. He estimates that the
(4) Cannot be determined probability of receiving the gift, in time, from
the retailers A, B, C and D are 0.6, 0.8, 0.9
10. A bag contains 6 red marbles and 4 blue and 0.5 respectively. He orders from all four
marbles. If a marble is drawn with retailers simultaneously. What would be the
replacement, what is the minimum number probability that his friend would receive the
of draws required so that probability of drawing gift in time?
at least one blue ball is more than 0.7? (XAT 2015)
(1) 6 (2) 4 (1) 0.004 (2) 0.006
(3) 3 (4) 2 (3) 0.216 (4) 0.994
(5) 0.996

Page 2 QA - 32
14. Aditya has a total of 18 red and blue marbles other, what is the probability that no crime of
in two bags (each bag has marbles of both either type is committed in either
colors). A marble is randomly drawn from the neighbourhood on any given day?
first bag followed by another randomly drawn (XAT 2011)
from the second bag, the probability of both (1) 0.069 (2) 0.225
being red is 5/16. What is the probability of (3) 0.690 (4) 0.775
both marbles being blue? (5) None of the above
(XAT 2014)
18. The supervisor of a packaging unit of a milk
1 2
(1) (2) plant is being pressurised to finish the job
16 16 closer to the distribution time, thus giving the
3 4 production staff more leeway to cater to last
(3) (4) minute demand. He has the option of running
16 16 the unit at normal speed or at 110% of normal
(5) None of the above - “fast speed”. He produces 60% of packets
at the fast speed and the rest at the normal
speed. A packet produced at the fast speed
15. A coin of radius 3 cm is randomly dropped on is twice as likely to be damaged as compared
a square floor full of square shaped tiles of to a packet produced at the normal speed. If
side 10 cm each. What is the probability that the probability of randomly selected packet
the coin will land completely within a tile? from the unit being damaged is 0.112, what
(1) 0.91 (2) 0.5 is the probability that the packet will not be
(3) 0.49 (4) 0.36 damaged at normal speed?
(5) 0.16 (XAT 2010)
(XAT 2018) (1) 0.81 (2) 0.93
(3) 0.75 (4) 0.60
16. Find the probability that in 10 throws of a fair (5) None of the above
die a score which is a multiple of 3 will be
obtained in at least 8 of the throws. 19. There are four machines in a factory. At
exactly 8 pm, when the mechanic is about to
201 2 leave the factory, he is informed that two of
(1) 10 (2)
3 3 the four machines are not working properly.
The mechanic is in a hurry, and decides that
1 1 he will identify the two faulty machines before
(3) (4)
100 8 × 9 × 10 going home, and repair them next morning. It
takes him twenty minutes to walk to the bus
17. The scheduling officer for a local police stop. The last bus leaves at 8 : 32 pm. If it
department is trying to schedule additional takes six minutes to identify whether a
patrol units in each of two neighbourhoods – machine is defective or not, and if he decides
southern and northern. She knows that on to check the machines at random, what is
any given day, the probabilities of major crimes the probability that the mechanic will be able
and minor crimes being committed in the to catch the last bus?
northern neighbourhood were 0.418 and (XAT 2011)
0.612, respectively, and that the 1
corresponding probabilities in the southern (1) 0 (2)
6
neighbourhood were 0.355 and 0.520.
Assuming that all crime occur independent 1 1
(3) (4)
of each other and likewise that crime in the 4 3
two neighbourhoods are independent of each (5) 1

QA - 32 Page 3
20. A rectangle is drawn such that none of its
sides has length greater than ‘a’. All the
lengths greater than ‘a’ are equally likely. The
probability that the rectangle has its diagonal
greater than ‘a’ is
(1) 1
π
(2)
4
π
(3) 1 –
4
(4) Cannot be determined

Visit “Test Gym” for taking Topic Tests / Section Tests on a regular basis.

Page 4 QA - 32
 CEX-Q-0233/20
QA - 32 : Probability
Answers and Explanations

1 3 2 3 3 3 4 1 5 1 6 2 7 1 8 1 9 2 10 3
11 4 12 2 13 5 14 3 15 5 16 1 17 1 18 2 19 4 20 3

1. 3 Let R denotes the event where a red ball is selected. Thus, the total ways in which the two people are
Let S be the event wherein the smallest red ball is always together = 5! × 2 = 240 ways.
selected. And the number of ways in which all the 7 people can
Thus, probability of selecting the smallest ball given be arranged around the circular table is 6! = 720.
that it is red is given by, Thus, the probability of having the two people always

 1 240
  sitting together is = 0.33.
 S  P(S ∩ R)  18  1 720
P  = = = .
 R P(R)  6 6
  5. 1 Out of 2n numbers, if we select (n + 1) numbers, there
18
must be a pair of consecutive numbers. So, in all the
cases the probability of getting 1 as their HCF is 100%
2. 3 In this question, the number of students i.e. 30 is a i.e. 1.
redundant data and thus needs to be ignored.
The probability of a project getting rejected by Don is 6. 2 Let us first find the probability of having no pairs in the
0.4 and that of by Ron is 0.6. four drawn cards.
Hence, the probability of a project being rejected by The first card is picked at random.
both Don and Ron is 0.4 × 0.6 = 0.24. The next card can be picked from the remaining 11
cards with the exception of 1 card which is of the
1 same value as the first card.
3. 3 Probability of selection of bag I and bag II each is . The third card can be picked from the remaining 10
2
cards with the exception of the cards having the same
3 value as the first 2 picked cards.
Probability of picking up a red ball from bag I = The fourth card can be picked from the remaining 9
7
cards with the exception of the cards having the same
3 1 value as the first 3 picked cards.
⇒ Probability of a red ball from bag I = 7 × 2 So, the probability of the above event
10 8 6 16
5 = × × =
Probability of picking up a red ball from bag II = 11 10 9 33
11
So, the probability of picking at least one pair
5 1
⇒ Probability of a red ball from bag II = 11 × 2 16 17
= 1− = .
33 33
5 1
×
11 2 35
Now, the required probability = 3 1 5 1 = . 7. 1 For the preparation to be uneatable it should have at
68
× + × least 1 rotten egg.
7 2 11 2 The probability of having all good eggs in the selected
18
C4 3060
4. 1 Let us consider the 2 people are sitting next to each 4 eggs is 20
= = 0.632
other. C4 4845
Thus, considering them to be as one individual we Thus, the probability of having a spoiled preparation
can say that there are 6 people to be arranged around = the probability of having at least one rotten egg in
a circular table and this can be done in 5! ways. the 4 eggs picked for making the preparation
And the 2 people can be arranged between = 1 – P(Having all good eggs for the preparation)
themselves in 2 ways. = 1 – 0.632 = 0.368.

QA - 32 Page 1
8. 1 For the number to be divisible by 25, the last 2 digits of The number of ways in which 4 tails can occur out of
the number should be divisible by 25, i.e. the last 2 7 tosses is the number of combinations of 7 objects
digits should be 00, 25, 50 or 75. taken 4 at a time.
Thus, in the given case, we are supposed to consider The number of combinations of n objects taken r at a
numbers ending with 25.
n!
The total number of ways in which a four digit number time is given by C (n, r) = .
(r!(n − r)!)
can be formed using the given four digits
= 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 24 ways.
7! 5040
And the number of ways in which the four digit number C (7, 4) = = = 35
(4!(3!)) 144
can be formed with ending 25 = 2
[i.e. the thousands and hundreds place can be filled in
35
2 ways, 13 or 31.] Hence, the probability of occuring of 4 tails is .
128
2 1
Hence, the required probability = = .
24 12 12. 2 Let probability of getting an even number be x.
⇒ Probability of getting an odd number = 2x
In a particular throw either an odd number, out of three
9. 2 A B odd numbers, or an even number, out of three even
numbers, will appear.
O So, 3(x) + 3(2x) = 1
6 0° 1
⇒ x=
A B 3
Now a two-digit prime number possible in two
Centre will lie inside ∆ABC only when C lies on minor
Arc A’B’. successive throws is 11 only i.e. sum of 5 and 6.
60 1 1 2 2 1 4
∴ Required probability = = . So, required probability = × + × =
360 6 9 9 9 9 81

10. 3 In this case, it is easy to calculate the probability of not

drawing a blue marble. The probability of an event 13. 5 The probabilities of not receiving the gift from retail A,
occurring plus the probability of the event not occurring B, C and D are 0.4, 0.2, 0.1 and 0.5 respectively.
is equal to 1. If the probability of drawing a blue marble Then probability of receiving the gift from at least one
is at least 70%, the probability of not drawing a blue retailer = {1 – (0.4 × 0.2 × 0.1 × 0.5)} = 0.996.
marble can be at most 30%.
There is a probability of 6/10 on each draw such that 14. 3 Let the total number of balls in the bag I be ‘x’; the total
the marble drawn is not blue. The probability of event number of balls in bag II be (18 – x); the number of
A and event B occurring is the probability of event A red balls in bag I and bag II be ‘a’ and ‘c’ respectively;
times the probability of event B, given that the event A and the number of blue balls in bag I and bag II be ‘b’
has already occurred. Since the probability of not and ‘d’ respectively.
drawing a blue marble on each draw is 6/10, we must
∴ a + b = x and c + d = 18 – x
determine how many times one has to multiply 6/10 by
itself in order to reduce the probability to below 30%. a c 5
∴ × =
(0.6)n < 0.30 x 18 – x 16
(0.6)1 = 0.6; Let a × c = 5k and x × (18 – x) = 16k, where k is a
(0.6)2 = 0.36; natural number.
(0.6)3 = 0.216 Each bag has marbles of both colors.
Thus, 3 draws are required.
∴ 2 ≤ x ≤ 16 and 2 ≤ (18 – x) ≤ 16
11. 4 The number of possible outcomes can be determined As, x + (18 – x) = 18 ⇒ Max {x × (18 – x)} = 81
by the multiplication principle. The multiplication principle ∴k ≤ 5
tells us that the number of ways in which an
independent events can occur together can be By hit and trial, the only possible value of k comes out
determined by multiplying together the number of to be 5.
possible outcomes for each event. There are two ∴ x = 10, 18 – x = 8, a = 5, b = 5, c = 5 and d = 3
outcomes possible while tossing a coin i.e., heads or
5 3 3
tails. Hence, the required probability = × = .
Thus, the number of possible outcomes are 10 8 16
= 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 128.

Page 2 QA - 32
 17. 1 Required probability = (1 – 0.418) (1 – 0.612)
15. 5 A B (1 – 0.355) (1 – 0.520) ≈ 0.069

P Q 18. 2 Probability of damaged packets in all packaging runs

4 = 0.6 × 2x + 0.4 × x, where ‘x’ is the probability of
packaging at normal speed.
4 1 0 cm ⇒ 0.112 = 0.6 × 2x + 0.4 × x
⇒ 0.112 = 1.2x + 0.4x
R S ⇒ x = 0.07
∴ Probability of non damaged packets at normal speed
D C = 1 – 0.07 = 0.93.

Here the centre of the circle must be within the smaller 19. 4 In order to catch the bus, the mechanic has to leave
square drawn as shown in the figure above. the factory in 12 minutes. As inspecting one machine
takes 6 minutes, he will identify the two faulty machines
4×4
⇒ Probability = = 0.16 in 12 minutes if the first two machines he inspects are
10 × 10 either both faulty or both working properly.
1 1 1 1 1
16. 1 There are two multiples of 3 i.e. 3 and 6. Required probability = × + × =
2 3 2 3 3
2 1
So, probability of getting 3 or 6 = = 20. 3 We will draw a square of side ‘a’ and an arc of radius
6 3
‘a’. All rectangles with diagonal less than or equal to a
2 will lie within or on the quadrant of the circle as shown
⇒ Probability of not getting 3 or 6 = below.
3
The probability of getting 3 or 6 in ‘n’ throws is given a
n 10 − n
10  1  2
by Cn ×   ×   .
 3  3 a
For at least 8 throws, n will be 8, 9 or 10
⇒ Required probability
8
 1  2 
2
 1  2   1
9 1 10
 2
0  π
= 10C8     + 10C9     + 10C10   a2  1 − 
 3  3  3  3  3    4 π
3 Hence, required probability = = 1− .
a2 4
1 201
= [180 + 20 + 1] = 10 .
310 3

QA - 32 Page 3