1.

PROBABILITY

1.0 Introduction:
The theory of probability has its origin in the games of
chance related to gambling such as tossing of a coin, throwing of a
die, drawing cards from a pack of cards etc. Jerame Cardon, an
Italian mathematician wrote ‘ A book on games of chance’ which
was published on 1663. Starting with games of chance, probability
has become one of the basic tools of statistics. The knowledge of
probability theory makes it possible to interpret statistical results,
since many statistical procedures involve conclusions based on
samples.
Probability theory is being applied in the solution of social,
economic, business problems. Today the concept of probability
has assumed greater importance and the mathematical theory of
probability has become the basis for statistical applications in both
social and decision-making research. Probability theory, in fact, is
the foundation of statistical inferences.

1.1 Definitions and basic concepts:

The following definitions and terms are used in studying
the theory of probability.
Random experiment:
Random experiment is one whose results depend on
chance, that is the result cannot be predicted. Tossing of coins,
throwing of dice are some examples of random experiments.
Trial:
Performing a random experiment is called a trial.
Outcomes:
The results of a random experiment are called its outcomes.
When two coins are tossed the possible outcomes are HH, HT,
TH, TT.

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Event:
An outcome or a combination of outcomes of a random
experiment is called an event. For example tossing of a coin is a
random experiment and getting a head or tail is an event.
Sample space:
Each conceivable outcome of an experiment is called a
sample point. The totality of all sample points is called a sample
space and is denoted by S. For example, when a coin is tossed, the
sample space is S = { H, T }. H and T are the sample points of the
sample space S.
Equally likely events:
Two or more events are said to be equally likely if each one
of them has an equal chance of occurring. For example in tossing
of a coin, the event of getting a head and the event of getting a tail
are equally likely events.
Mutually exclusive events:
Two or more events are said to be mutually exclusive,
when the occurrence of any one event excludes the occurrence of
the other event. Mutually exclusive events cannot occur
simultaneously.
For example when a coin is tossed, either the head or the
tail will come up. Therefore the occurrence of the head completely
excludes the occurrence of the tail. Thus getting head or tail in
tossing of a coin is a mutually exclusive event.
Exhaustive events:
Events are said to be exhaustive when their totality includes
all the possible outcomes of a random experiment. For example,
while throwing a die, the possible outcomes are {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
and hence the number of cases is 6.
Complementary events:
The event ‘ A occurs’ and the event ‘ A does not occur’ are
called complementary events to each other. The event ‘ A does not
occur’ is denoted by A′ orA or Ac. The event and its complements
are mutually exclusive. For example in throwing a die, the event
of getting odd numbers is { 1, 3, 5 } and getting even numbers is

2
{2, 4, 6}.These two events are mutually exclusive and complement
to each other.
Independent events:
Events are said to be independent if the occurrence of one
does not affect the others. In the experiment of tossing a fair coin,
the occurrence of the event ‘ head’ in the first toss is independent of
the occurrence of the event ‘ head’ in the second toss, third toss and
subsequent tosses.
1.2 Definitions of Probability:
There are two types of probability. They are Mathematical
probability and Statistical probability.
1.2.1 Mathematical Probability (or a priori probability):
If the probability of an event can be calculated even before
the actual happening of the event, that is, even before conducting
the experiment, it is called Mathematical probability.
If the random experiments results in exhaustive,
mutually exclusive and equally likely cases, out of which are
favourable to the occurrence of an event A, then the ratio m/n is
called the probability of occurrence of event A, denoted by P(A), is
given by
m Number of cases favourable to the event A
P(A) = =
n Total number of exhaustive cases
Mathematical probability is often called classical
probability or a priori probability because if we keep using the
examples of tossing of fair coin, dice etc., we can state the answer
in advance (prior), without tossing of coins or without rolling the
dice etc.,
The above definition of probability is widely used, but it
cannot be applied under the following situations:
(1) If it is not possible to enumerate all the possible outcomes for
an experiment.
(2) If the sample points(outcomes) are not mutually independent.
(3) If the total number of outcomes is infinite.
(4) If each and every outcome is not equally likely.

3
 Some of the drawbacks of classical probability are removed
in another definition given below:

1.2.2 Statistical Probability (or a posteriori probability):

If the probability of an event can be determined only after
the actual happening of the event, it is called Statistical
probability.
If an event occurs m times out of n, its relative frequency is
m/n.
In the limiting case, when n becomes sufficiently large it
corresponds to a number which is called the probability of that
event.
In symbol, P(A) = Limit (m/n)
n→∞
The above definition of probability involves a concept
which has a long term consequence. This approach was initiated by
the mathematician Von Mises .
If a coin is tossed 10 times we may get 6 heads and 4 tails
or 4 heads and 6 tails or any other result. In these cases the
probability of getting a head is not 0.5 as we consider in
Mathematical probability.
However, if the experiment is carried out a large number of
times we should expect approximately equal number of heads and
tails and we can see that the probability of getting head approaches
0.5. The Statistical probability calculated by conducting an actual
experiment is also called a posteriori probability or empirical
probability.
1.2.3 Axiomatic approach to probability:
The modern approach to probability is purely axiomatic
and it is based on the set theory. The axiomatic approach to
probability was introduced by the Russian mathematician A.N.
Kolmogorov in the year 1933.

Axioms of probability:
Let S be a sample space and A be an event in S and P(A) is
the probability satisfying the following axioms:
4
 (1) The probability of any event ranges from zero to one.
i.e 0 ≤ P(A) ≤ 1
(2) The probability of the entire space is 1.
i.e P(S) = 1
(3) If A1, A2,…is a sequence of mutually exclusive events in
S, then
P (A1 ∪ A2 ∪ …) = P(A1) + P(A2) +...

Interpretation of statistical statements in terms of set theory:

S ⇒ Sample space
A ⇒ A does not occur
A ∪ A = S
A ∩ B = φ ⇒ A and B are mutually exclusive.
A ∪ B ⇒ Event A occurs or B occurs or both A and B occur.
(at least one of the events A or B occurs)
A ∩ B ⇒ Both the events A and B occur.
A ∩ B ⇒ Neither A nor B occurs
A ∩ B ⇒ Event A occurs and B does not occur
A ∩ B ⇒ Event A does not occur and B occur.
1.3 Addition theorem on probabilities:
We shall discuss the addition theorem on probabilities for
mutually exclusive events and not mutually exclusive events.
1.3.1 Addition theorem on probabilities for mutually exclusive
events:
If two events A and B are mutually exclusive, the
probability of the occurrence of either A or B is the sum of
individual probabilities of A and B. ie P(AUB) = P(A) + P(B)
This is clearly stated in axioms of probability.

A B

5
1.3.2 Addition theorem on probabilities for not-mutually
exclusive events:
If two events A and B are not-mutually exclusive, the
probability of the event that either A or B or both occur is given as
P(AUB) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A I B)
Proof:
Let us take a random experiment with a sample space S of
N sample points.
Then by the definition of probability ,
n (AUB) n (AUB)
P(AUB) = =
n (S) N

B
A A I B AI B AI B

From the diagram, using the axiom for the mutually

exclusive events, we write
n( A) + n( A I B)
P(AUB) =
N
Adding and subtracting n( A I B ) in the numerator,
n( A) + n( A I B) + n( A I B) − n( A I B)
=
N
n( A) + n( B) − n( A I B)
=
N
n( A) n( B) n( A I B)
= + −
N N N
P(AUB) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A I B)
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Note:
In the case of three events A,B,C, P(AUBUC) = P(A) +
P(B) + P(C) – P( A I B ) – P( A I B ) – P( B I C ) + P ( A I B I C )
Compound events:
The joint occurrence of two or more events is called
compound events. Thus compound events imply the simultaneous
occurrence of two or more simple events.
For example, in tossing of two fair coins simultaneously,
the event of getting ‘ atleast one head’ is a compound event as it
consists of joint occurrence of two simple events.
Namely,
Event A = one head appears ie A = { HT, TH} and
Event B = two heads appears ie B = {HH}
Similarly, if a bag contains 6 white and 6 red balls and we
make a draw of 2 balls at random, then the events that ‘ both are
white’ or one is white and one is red’ are compound events.
The compound events may be further classified as
(1) Independent event
(2) Dependent event
Independent events:
If two or more events occur in such a way that the
occurrence of one does not affect the occurrence of another, they
are said to be independent events.
For example, if a coin is tossed twice, the results of the
second throw would in no way be affected by the results of the first
throw.
Similarly, if a bag contains 5 white and 7 red balls and then
two balls are drawn one by one in such a way that the first ball is
replaced before the second one is drawn. In this situation, the two
events, ‘ the first ball is white’ and ‘ second ball is red’ , will be
independent, since the composition of the balls in the bag remains
unchanged before a second draw is made.
Dependent events:
If the occurrence of one event influences the occurrence of
the other, then the second event is said to be dependent on the first.
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 In the above example, if we do not replace the first ball
drawn, this will change the composition of balls in the bag while
making the second draw and therefore the event of ‘ drawing a red
ball’ in the second will depend on event (first ball is red or white)
occurring in first draw.
Similarly, if a person draw a card from a full pack and does
not replace it, the result of the draw made afterwards will be
dependent on the first draw.
1.4 Conditional probability:
Let A be any event with p(A) >0. The probability that an
event B occurs subject to the condition that A has already occurred
is known as the conditional probability of occurrence of the event
B on the assumption that the event A has already occurred and is
denoted by the symbol P(B/A) or P(B|A) and is read as the
probability of B given A.
The same definition can be given as follows also:
Two events A and B are said to be dependent when A can
occur only when B is known to have occurred (or vice versa). The
probability attached to such an event is called the conditional
probability and is denoted by P(B/A) or, in other words,
probability of B given that A has occurred.
If two events A and B are dependent, then the conditional
probability of B given A is
P(A I B)
P(B/A) =
P ( A)
Similarly the conditional probability of A given B is given as

P(A I B)
P(A/B) =
P(B)
Note:
If the events A and B are independent, that is the
probability of occurrence of any one of them P(A/B) = P(A) and
P(B/A) = P(B)

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1.5 Multiplication theorem on probabilities:
We shall discuss multiplication theorem on probabilities for
both independent and dependent events.
1.5.1 Multiplication theorem on probabilities for independent
events:
If two events A and B are independent, the probability that
both of them occur is equal to the product of their individual
probabilities. i.e P(A I B) = P(A) .P(B)
Proof:
Out of n1 possible cases let m1 cases be favourable for the
occurrence of the event A.
m1
∴P(A) =
n1
Out of n2 possible cases, let m2 cases be favourable for the
occurrence of the event B
m
∴ P(B) = 2
n2
Each of n1 possible cases can be associated with each of the
n2 possible cases.
Therefore the total number of possible cases for the
occurrence of the event ‘ A’ and ‘ B’ is n1 × n2 . Similarly each of
the m1 favourable cases can be associated with each of the m2
favourable cases. So the total number of favourable cases for the
event ‘ A’ and ‘ B’ is m1 × m2
m m
∴ P(A I B) = 1 2
n1 n 2
m m2
= 1 .
n1 n2
= P(A).P(B)
Note:
The theorem can be extended to three or more independent
events. If A,B,C… …. be independent events, then
P(A I B I C… ….) = P(A).P(B).P(C)… … .

9
Note:
If A and B are independent then the complements of A and
B are also independent. i.e P( A I B ) = P( A ) . P( B )

1.5.2 Multiplication theorem for dependent events:

If A and B be two dependent events, i.e the occurrence of
one event is affected by the occurrence of the other event, then the
probability that both A and B will occur is
P(A I B) = P(A) P(B/A)
Proof:
Suppose an experiment results in n exhaustive, mutually
exclusive and equally likely outcomes, m of them being favourable
to the occurrence of the event A.
Out of these n outcomes let m1 be favourable to the
occurrence of another event B.
Then the outcomes favourable to the happening of the
events ‘ A and B’ are m1.
m
∴ P(A I B) = 1
n
m1 m m m1
= × =
n m nm
m m1
= ×
n m
∴ P(A I B) = P(A) . P(B/A)
Note:
In the case of three events A, B, C, P(A I B I C) = P(A).
P(B/A). P(C/A I B). ie., the probability of occurrence of A, B and
C is equal to the probability of A times the probability of B given
that A has occurred, times the probability of C given that both A
and B have occurred.
1.6 BAYES’ Theorem:
The concept of conditional probability discussed earlier
takes into account information about the occurrence of one event to
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predict the probability of another event. This concept can be
extended to revise probabilities based on new information and to
determine the probability that a particular effect was due to
specific cause. The procedure for revising these probabilities is
known as Bayes theorem.
The Principle was given by Thomas Bayes in 1763. By this
principle, assuming certain prior probabilities, the posteriori
probabilities are obtained. That is why Bayes’ probabilities are
also called posteriori probabilities.
Bayes’ Theorem or Rule (Statement only):
Let A1, A2, A3, …….Ai, ……An be a set of n mutually
exclusive and collectively exhaustive events and P(A1), P(A2)…,
P(An) are their corresponding probabilities. If B is another event
such that P(B) is not zero and the priori probabilities P(B|Ai)
i =1,2…,n are also known. Then
P(B | A i ) P(A i )
P(Ai | B) = k
∑ P(B | A i ) P(A i )
i =1

1.7 Basic principles of Permutation and Combination:

Factorial:
The consecutive product of first n natural numbers is
known as factorial n and is denoted as n! or ∠n
That is n! = 1 × 2 × 3 × 4 × 5 ×...× n
3! = 3 × 2 × 1
4! = 4 × 3 × 2 × 1
5! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1
Also 5! = 5 × ( 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 ) = 5 × ( 4! )
Therefore this can be algebraically written as n! = n × (n – 1)!
Note that 1! = 1 and 0! = 1.
Permutations:
Permutation means arrangement of things in different ways.
Out of three things A, B, C taking two at a time, we can arrange
them in the following manner.
A B BA

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 A C CA
B C CB
Here we find 6 arrangements. In these arrangements order
of arrangement is considered. The arrangement AB and the other
arrangement BA are different.
The number of arrangements of the above is given as the
number of permutations of 3 things taken 2 at a time which gives
the value 6. This is written symbolically, 3P2 = 6
Thus the number of arrangements that can be made out of
n things taken r at a time is known as the number of permutation of
n things taken r at a time and is denoted as nPr.
The expansion of nPr is given below:
nPr = n(n-1)(n-2)……………[n – ( r – 1)]
The same can be written in factorial notation as follows:
n!
nPr =
(n − r )!
For example, to find 10P3 we write this as follows:
10P3 = 10(10-1)(10-2)
= 10 × 9 × 8
= 720

[To find 10P3, Start with 10, write the product of 3 consecutive
natural numbers in the descending order]
Simplifying 10P3 using factorial notation:

10! 10 × 9 × 8 × 7 × 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1
10P3 = =
(10 − 3)! 7 × 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 ×1

= 10 × 9 × 8
= 720
Note that nPo = 1, nP1 = n, nPn = n!

Combinations:
A combination is a selection of objects without considering
the order of arrangements.

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 For example, out of three things A,B,C we have to select
two things at a time.

This can be selected in three different ways as follows:

A B A C B C

Here the selection of the object A B and B A are

one and the same. Hence the order of arrangement is not
considered in combination. Here the number of combinations
from 3 different things taken 2 at a time is 3.

This is written symbolically 3C2 = 3

Thus the number of combination of n different things, taken
n Pr
r at a time is given by nCr =
r!
n!
Or nCr =
(n − r )!r!

Note that nC0 =1, nC1 = n, nCn = 1

10 P3 10 × 9 × 8
Find 10C3. 10C3 = = = 120
3! 1× 2 × 3

8×7×6×5
Find 8C 4. 8C 4 = = 70
1× 2 × 3 × 4

[ To find 8 C 4 : In the numerator, first write the product of 4

natural numbers starting with 8 in descending order and in the
denominator write the factorial 4 and then simplify.]
Compare 10C 8 and 10 C 2
10 × 9 × 8 × 7 × 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 10 × 9
10 C 8 = = = 45
1× 2 × 3 × 4 × 5 × 6 × 7 × 8 1× 2
10 × 9
10 C 2 = = 45
1× 2

From the above, we find 10C 8 = 10 C2

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This can be got by the following method also:
10C 8 = 10 C (10 – 8) = 10 C 2

This method is very useful, when the difference between n and r is

very high in nCr.
This property of the combination is written as nCr = nC (n-r).
To find 200C198 we can use the above formula as follows:
200 × 199
200C198 = 200C(200 – 198) = 200C2 = = 19900.
1× 2

Example:
Out of 13 players, 11 players are to be selected for a cricket
team. In how many ways can this be done?
Out of 13 players, 11 players are selected in 13 C 11 ways
13 x 12
i.e. 13 C 11 = 13 C 2 = -------- = 78.
1x2
Example 1:
Three coins are tossed simultaneously Find the probability that
(i) no head (ii) one head (iii) two heads
(iv) atleast two heads. (v) atmost two heads appear.
Solution:
The sample space for the 3 coins is
S = { HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT, THH, THT, TTH, TTT} ; n(S) = 8
(i) No head appear A = {TTT}; n(A) = 1
1
∴P(A) =
8
(ii) One head appear B = {HTT, THT, TTH}; n (B) = 3
3
∴ P(B) =
8
(iii) Two heads appear C = {HHT, HTH, THH}; n(c)=3
3
∴ P(C) =
8
(iv) Atleast two heads appear
D = { HHT, HTH, THH, HHH}; n(D) = 4
14
 4
∴ P(D) = = 1/2
8
(v) Atmost two heads appear E = { TTT, HTT, THT,
TTH,HHT, HTH,THH}
n(E)= 7
7
∴P(E) =
8
Example 2:
When two dice are thrown, find the probability of getting
doublets (Same number on both dice)
Solution:
When two dice are thrown, the number of points in the
sample space is n(S) = 36
Getting doublets: A = {(1,1) , (2,2) , (3,3) , (4,4) , (5,5) , (6,6)}
6 1
∴P(A) = =
36 6
Example 3:
A card is drawn at random from a well shuffled pack of 52
cards. What is the probability that it is (i) an ace (ii) a diamond
card
Solution:
We know that the Pack contains 52 cards ∴n(S)= 52
(i) There are 4 aces in a pack. n(A) = 4
4 1
∴P(A) = =
52 13
(ii) There are 13 diamonds in a pack ∴n(B) = 13
13 1
∴ P(B) = =
52 4
Example 4:
A ball is drawn at random from a box containing 5 green, 6
red, and 4 yellow balls. Determine the probability that the ball
drawn is (i) green (ii) Red (iii) yellow (iv) Green or Red (v) not
yellow.

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Solution:
Total number of balls in the box = 5+6+4 = 15 balls
5 1
(i) Probability of drawing a green ball = =
15 3
6 2
(ii) Probability of drawing a red ball = =
15 5
4
(iii) Probability of drawing a yellow ball =
15
(iv) Probability of drawing a Green or a Red ball
5 6 11
= + =
15 15 15
(v) Probability of getting not yellow = 1 − P (yellow)
4
=1 −
15
11
=
15
Example 5:
Two dice are thrown, what is the probability of getting the sum
being 8 or the sum being 10?
Solution:
Number of sample points in throwing two dice at a time is
n(S)=36
Let A= {the sum being 8}
5
∴ A= {(6,2), (5,3) , (4,4), (3,5) , (2,6)}; P(A) =
36
B = { the sum being 10}
3
∴ B = {(6,4), (5,5) (4,6)} ; P(B) =
36
A I B = { 0 } ; n(A I B) = 0
∴ The two events are mutually exclusive

∴P(AUB) = P(A) + P(B)

5 3
= +
36 36
16
 8 2
= =
36 9
Example 6 :
Two dice are thrown simultaneously. Find the probability
that the sum being 6 or same number on both dice.
Solution:
n(S) = 36
The total is 6:
5
∴ A = {(5,1) , (4,2), (3,3) , (2,4) , (1,5)}; P(A) =
36
Same number on both dice:
6
∴B = {(1,1) (2,2), (3,3), (4,4), (5,5), (6,6)}; P(B) =
36
1
A I B = {(3,3)} ; P(A B) =
36
Here the events are not mutually exclusive.
∴ P(AUB) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A I B)
5 6 1
= + −
36 36 36
5 + 6 −1
=
36
11 − 1
=
36
10
=
36
5
=
18
Example 7:
Two persons A and B appeared for an interview for a job. The
probability of selection of A is 1/3 and that of B is 1/2. Find the
probability that
(i) both of them will be selected
(ii) only one of them will be selected
(iii) none of them will be selected
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Solution:
1 1
P(A)= , P(B) =
3 2
2 1
P( A ) = and P( B ) =
3 2
Selection or non-selection of any one of the candidate is not
affecting the selection of the other. Therefore A and B are
independent events.
(i) Probability of selecting both A and B
P(A I B) = P(A).P(B)
1 1
= ×
3 2
1
=
6
(ii) Probability of selecting any one of them
= P (selecting A and not selecting B) + P(not selecting A and
selecting B)
_ _ _ _
i.e P (A I B) + P (A I B) = P(A). P(B) + P(A). P(B)
1 1 2 1
= × + ×
3 2 3 2
1 2
= +
6 6
3 1
= =
6 2

(iii) Probability of not selecting both A and B

i.e P( A I B )
= P( A ). P( B )
2 1
= .
3 2
1
=
3

18
Example 8:
There are three T.V programmes A , B and C which can be
received in a city of 2000 families. The following information is
available on the basis of survey.
1200 families listen to Programme A
1100 families listen to Programme B
800 families listen to Programme C
765 families listen to Programme A and B
450 families listen to Programme A and C
400 families listen to Programme B and C
100 families listen to Programme A, B and C
Find the probability that a family selected at random listens atleast
one or more T.V Programmes.
Solution:
Total number of families n(S)= 2000
Let n(A) = 1200
n(B) = 1100
n(C) = 800
n(A I B) = 765
n(A I C) = 450
n(B I C) = 400
n(A I B I C) = 100
Let us first find n(AUBUC).
n(AUBUC) = n(A) + n(B)+ n(C) – n(A I B)–n(A I C)− n(B I C) + n(A I B I C)
= 1200 + 1100 + 800 − 765 − 450 − 400 + 100
n(AUBUC) = 1585
n (AUBUC)
now P(AUBUC) =
n (S)
1585
= = 0.792
2000
Therefore about 79% chance that a family selected at random
listens to one or more T.V. Programmes.
Example 9:
A stockist has 20 items in a lot. Out of which 12 are non-
defective and 8 are defective. A customer selects 3 items from the
19
lot. What is the probability that out of these three items (i) three
items are non-defective (ii) two are non defective and one is
defective
Solution:
(i) Let the event, that all the three items are non-defective, be
denoted by E1. There are 12 non-defective items and out of them 3
can be selected in 12C3 ways ie n(E1)=12C3
Total number of ways in which 3 items can be selected are 20C3
i.e n(S) = 20C3
n (E 1 ) 12C 3
∴ P(E1) = =
n (S) 20C 3
12 × 11 × 10
=
20 × 19 × 18
= 0.193
ii) Let the event, that two items are non-defective and one is
defective be denoted by E2.
Two non-defective items out of 12 can be selected in12C2
ways. One item out of 8 defective can be selected in 8C1 ways.
Thus n(E2) =12C2 . 8C1
n (E 2 ) 12C 2 . 8C1
Then the probability P(E2) = =
n (S) 20C 3
12 × 11 × 8 × 3
=
20 × 19 × 18
= 0.463
Example 10:
A test paper containing 10 problems is given to three
students A,B,C. It is considered that student A can solve 60%
problems, student B can solve 40% problems and student C can
solve 30% problems. Find the probability that the problem chosen
from the test paper will be solved by all the three students.
Solution:
Probability of solving the problem by A = 60%
Probability of solving the problem by B = 40%
Probability of solving the problem by C = 30%

20
Solving the problem by a student is independent of solving the
problem by the other students.
Hence, P(A I B I C) = P(A). P(B). P(C)
60 40 30
= × ×
100 100 100
= 0.6 × 0.4 × 0 .3
= 0.072
Example 11:
From a pack of 52 cards, 2cards are drawn at random. Find
the probability that one is king and the other is queen.
Solution:
From a pack of 52 cards 2 cards are drawn n(S)=52C2
Selection of one king is in 4C1 ways
Selection of one queen is in 4C1 ways
Selection of one king and one queen is in 4C1.4C1 ways
ie n(E) = 4C1.4C1
n (E) 4C1 .4C1
∴ P(E) = =
n (S) 52C 2
52 × 51
= 4×4÷
1× 2
4× 4× 2
=
52 × 51
8
=
663
Example 12:
An urn contains 4 black balls and 6 white balls. If 3 balls
are drawn at random, find the probability that (i) all are black
(ii) all are white
Solution:
Total number of balls = 10
Total number ways of selecting 3 balls = 10C3
(i) Number of ways of drawing 3 black balls = 4C3
4C 3
Probability of drawing 3 black balls =
10C 3
21
 4 × 3 × 2 10 × 9 × 8
= ÷
1× 2 × 3 1 × 2 × 3
4× 3× 2
=
10 × 9 × 8
1
=
30
(ii) Number of ways of drawing 3 white balls = 6C3
6C 3
Probability of drawing 3 white balls =
10C 3
6× 5× 4
=
10 × 9 × 8
1
=
6
Example 13:
A box containing 5 green balls and 3 red colour balls. Find
the probability of selecting 3 green colour balls one by one
(i) without replacement (ii) with replacement

Solution:
(i) Selection without replacement
Selecting 3 balls out of 8 balls = 8C3 ways
i.e n(S) = 8C3
Selecting 3 green balls in 5C3 ways
5C 3 5× 4× 3 5
∴ P(3 green balls) = = =
8C 3 8×7×6 28

(ii) Selection with replacement

When a ball is drawn and replaced before the next draw,
the number of balls in the box remains the same. Also the 3 events
of drawing a green ball in each case is independent. ∴Probability
5
of drawing a green ball in each case is
8
The event of selecting a green ball in the first, second and third
event are same,
22
∴ Probability of drawing
5 5 5 125
3 green balls = × × =
8 8 8 512
Example 14:
A box contains 5 red and 4 white marbles. Two marbles are
drawn successively from the box without replacement and it is
noted that the second one is white. What is the probability that the
first is also white?
Solution:
If w1, w2 are the events ‘ white on the first draw’ , ‘ white on
the second draw’ respectively.
Now we are looking for P(w1/w2)
P(w 1 I w 2 ) P(w 1 ).P( w 2 )
P(w1/w2) = =
P( w 2 ) P( w 2 )
(4 / 9)(3 / 8)
=
(3 / 8)
4
=
9

Example 15:
A bag contains 6 red and 8 black balls. Another bag
contains 7 red and 10 black balls. A bag is selected and a ball is
drawn. Find the probability that it is a red ball.

Solution:
There are two bags
1
∴ probability of selecting a bag =
2
Let A denote the first bag and B denote the second bag.
1
Then P(A) = P(B)=
2
Bag ‘ A’ contains 6 red and 8 black balls.
6
∴ Probability of drawing a red ball is
14
23
Probability of selecting bag A and drawing a red ball from that bag
1 6 3
is P(A). P(R/A) = × =
2 14 14
Similarly probability of selecting bag B and drawing a red ball
1 7 7
from that bag is P(B). P(R/B) = × =
2 17 34
All these are mutually exclusive events
∴ Probability of drawing a red ball either from the bag A or B is
P(R) = P(A) P(R/A) + P(B) P(R/B)
3 7
= +
14 34
17 × 3 + 7 × 7
=
238
51 + 49
=
238
100 50
= =
238 119
Example 16:
If P(A I B) = 0.3, P(A) = 0.6, P(B) = 0.7 Find the value of P(B/A)
and P(A/B)
Solution:
P(A I B)
P(B/A) =
P (A )
0.3
=
0.6
1
=
2
P(A I B)
P(A/B) =
P(B)
0.3
=
0.7
3
=
7
24
Example 17:
In a certain town, males and females form 50 percent of the
population. It is known that 20 percent of the males and 5 percent
of the females are unemployed. A research student studying the
employment situation selects unemployed persons at random.
What is the probability that the person selected is (i) a male
(ii) a female?
Solution:
Out of 50% of the population 20% of the males are
50 20 10
unemployed. i.e × = = 0.10
100 100 100
Out of 50% the population 5% of the females are unemployed.
50 5 25
i.e × = = 0.025
100 100 1000

Based on the above data we can form the table as follows:

Employed Unemployed Total
Males 0.400 0.100 0.50
Females 0.475 0.025 0.50
Total 0.875 0.125 1.00
Let a male chosen be denoted by M and a female chosen be
denoted by F
Let U denotes the number of unemployed persons then
P(M ∩ U) 0.10
(i) P(M/U) = = = 0.80
P(U) 0.125
P(F ∩ U) 0.025
(ii) P(F/U) = = = 0.20
P(U) 0.125
Example 18:
Two sets of candidates are competing for the positions on
the Board of directors of a company. The probabilities that the first
and second sets will win are 0.6 and 0.4 respectively. If the first set
wins, the probability of introducing a new product is 0.8, and the
corresponding probability if the second set wins is 0.3. What is the
probability that the new product will be introduced?

25
Solution:
Let the probabilities of the possible events be:
P(A1) = Probability that the first set wins = 0.6
P(A2) = Probability that the second set wins = 0.4
P(B) = Probability that a new product is introduced
P(B/A1) = Probability that a new product is introduced given
that the first set wins = 0.8
P(B/A2) = Probability that a new product is introduced given
that the second set wins = 0.3
Then the rule of addition gives:
P(new product) = P(first set and new product) + P(second set and
new product)
i.e P(B) = P(A1 B) + P(A2 B)
= P(A1) P(B/A1) + P(A2).P(B/A2)
= 0.6 × 0.8 + 0.4 × 0.3
= 0.60
Example 19:
Three persons A, B and C are being considered for the
appointment as the chairman for a company whose chance of being
selected for the post are in the proportion 4:2:3 respectively. The
probability that A, if selected will introduce democratization in the
company structure is 0.3 the corresponding probabilities for B and
C doing the same are respectively 0.5 and 0.8. What is the
probability that democratization would be introduced in the
company?
Solution:
Let A1 and A2 and A3 denote the events that the persons A, B and
C respectively are selected as chairman and let E be the event of
introducing democratization in the company structure.
Then we are given
4 2 3
P(A1) = P(A2) = P(A3) =
9 9 9
P(E/A1) = 0.3 P(E/A2) = 0.5 P(E/A3) = 0.8

26
The event E can materialize in the following mutually exclusive
ways:
(i) Person A is selected and democratization is introduced
ie A1 I E happens
(ii) Person B is selected and democratization is introduced
ieA2 I E happens
(iii) Person C is selected and democratization is introduced
ie A3 I E happens
Thus E = (A1 I E) U (A2 I E) U(A3 I E) , where these sets are
disjoint
Hence by addition rule of probability we have
P(E) = P(A1 I E) + P(A2 I E) + P(A3 I E)
= P(A1) P(E/A1) + P(A2) P(E/A2) + P(A3) P(E/A3)
4 2 3
= × 0.3 + × 0.5 + × 0.8
9 9 9
46 23
= =
90 45
Example 20:
In a bolt factory machines A1, A2, A3 manufacture
respectively 25%, 35% and 40% of the total output. Of these 5, 4,
and 2 percent are defective bolts. A bolt is drawn at random from
the product and is found to be defective. What is the probability
that it was manufactured by machine A2 ?
Solution:
P(A1 ) = P( that the machine A1 manufacture the bolts) = 25%
= 0.25
Similarly P(A2) = 35% = 0.35 and
P(A3) = 40% = 0.40
Let B be the event that the drawn bolt is defective.
P(B/ A1 ) = P (that the defective bolt from the machine A1 )
= 5 % = 0.05
Similarly, P(B/ A2 ) = 4% = 0.04
And P(B/ A3) = 2% = 0.02

27
We have to find P(A2/ B).
Hence by Bayes’ theorem, we get
P ( A 2 ) P( B / A 2 )
P(A2/ B).=
P ( A 1 ) P ( B / A 1 ) + P ( A 2 ) P ( B / A 2 ) + P ( A 3 ) P( B / A 3 )
(0.35)(0.04)
=
(0.25)(0.05) + (0.35)(0.04) + (0.4)(0.02)
28
=
69
= 0.4058

Example 21:
A company has two plants to manufacture motorbikes.
Plant I manufactures 80 percent of motor bikes, and plant II
manufactures 20 percent. At Plant I 85 out of 100 motorbikes are
rated standard quality or better.
At plant II only 65 out of 100 motorbikes are rated standard quality
or better.
(i) What is the probability that the motorbike, selected at
random came from plant I. if it is known that the motorbike is
of standard quality?
(ii) What is the probability that the motorbike came from plant II
if it is known that the motor bike is of standard quality?

Solution:
Let A1 be the event of drawing a motorbike produced by plant I.
A2 be the event of drawing a motorbike produced by plant II.
B be the event of drawing a standard quality motorbike produced
by plant I or plant II.
Then from the first information, P(A1) = 0.80, P(A2) = 0.20
From the additional information
P(B/A1) = 0.85
P(B/A2) = 0.65
The required values are computed in the following table.
The final answer is shown in last column of the table.

28
Event Prior Conditional Joint Posterior
probability probability probability (revised)
of event B probability
P(Ai) given Ai P(Ai I B) = P(Ai/B) =
P(Ai)P(B/Ai) P(A ∩ B)
P(B/Ai) P(B)
0.68 68
A1 0.80 0.85 0.68 =
0.81 81

0.13 13
A2 0.20 0.65 0.13 =
0.81 81

Total 1.00 P(B) = 0.81 1

Without the additional information, we may be inclined to

say that the standard motor bike is drawn from plant I output, since
P(A1) = 80% is larger than P(A2) =20%
Remark:
The above answer may be verified by actual number of
motorbikes as follows:
Suppose 10,000 motorbikes were produced by the two
plants in a given period, the number of motorbikes produced by
plant I is
10,000 × 80% = 8000
and number of motorbikes produced by plant II is
10000 × 20% = 2000 =2000
The number of standard quality motorbikes produced by plant I is
85
8000 × = 6800
100
And by plant II is
65
2000 × = 1300
100

29
The probability that a standard quality motor bike was produced by
plant I is
6800 6800 68
= =
6800 + 1300 8100 81

And that by plant II is

1300 1300 13
= =
6800 + 1300 8100 81
The process of revising a set of prior probabilities may be
repeated if more information can be obtained. Thus Bayes’
theorem provides a powerful method in improving quality of
probability for aiding the management in decision making under
uncertainty.

Exercise - 1

I. Choose the best answer :

1. Probability is expressed as
(a) ratio (b) percentage
(c) Proportion (d) all the above
2. Probability can take values from
(a) - ∞ to +∞ (b) - ∞ to 1
(c) 0 to +1 (d) –1 to +1
3. Two events are said to be independent if
(a) each out come has equal chance of occurrence
(b) there is the common point in between them
(c) one does not affect the occurrence of the other.
(d) both events have only one point
4. Classical probability is also known as
(a) Statistical probability
(b) A priori probability
(c) Empirical probability
(d) None of the above
5. When a coin and a die are thrown, the number of all possible
cases is
(a) 7 (b) 8 (c)12 (d) 0
30
6. Probability of drawing a spade queen from a well shuffled pack
of cards is
1 1 4
(a) (b) (c) (d) 1
13 52 13
7. Three dice are thrown simultaneously the probability that sum
being 3 is
(a) 0 (b) 1 / 216 (c) 2 / 216 (d) 3 / 216
8. An integer is chosen from 1 to 20. The probability that the
number is divisible by 4 is
1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4 3 2 10
9. The conditional probability of B given A is
P(A ∩ B) P(A ∩ B)
(a) (b)
P(B) P(B)
P(A)
P(AUB) P(AUB)
(c) (d)
P(B) P ( A)
10. P(X) = 0.15, P(Y) = 0.25, P(X I Y) = 0.10 then P(XUY) is
(a) 0.10 (b) 0.20 (c) 0.30 (d) 0.40
11. If P(A) = 0.5, P(B) = 0.3 and the events A and B are
independent then P(A I B) is
(a) 0.8 (b) 0.15 (c) 0.08 (d) 0.015
12. If P(A) = 0.4 P(B) = 0.5 and P(A I B) = 0.2 then P(B/A) is
1 1 4 2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 3 5 5
13. A coin is tossed 6 times. Find the number of points in the
sample space.
(a) 12 (b)16 (c) 32 (d) 64
14. When a single die is thrown the event of getting odd number or
even number are
(a) Mutually exclusive events
(b) Not-mutually exclusive events
(c) Independent event
(d) Dependent event

31
15. The probability of not getting 2, when a die is thrown is
1 2 1 5
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3 3 6 6

II. Fill in the blanks:

16. The probability of a sure event is __________
17. The probability of an impossible event is _________
18. Mathematical probability is also called a ______________
probability.
19. The joint occurrence of two or more events is called
___________
20. If A and B are mutually exclusive events, then P(AUB) = ____
21. If A and B are independent events then P(A I B) = _________
22. If A and B are dependent events then P(A/B) = ___________
23. If A and B are mutually exclusive events P(A I B) =
_________
24. When three coins are tossed the probability of getting 3 heads
is _________
25. When three dice are thrown the probability of sum being 17 is
__________
26. The probability getting the total is 11 when two dice are throws
____________

III Answer the following:

27. Define the following terms:
Event, equally likely events, mutually exclusive events,
exhaustive events, sample space.
28. Define dependent and independent events.
29. Define mathematical probability.
30. Define statistical probability.
31. State the axioms of probability.
32. Explain addition theorem on probability for any two events.
33. State the multiplication theorem on probability.
34. Define conditional probability.
35. State Bayes’ Rule.

32
36. There are 5 items defective in a sample of 30 items. Find the
probability that an item chosen at random from the sample is
(i) defective, (ii) non-defective
37. Four coins are tossed simultaneously what is the probability of
getting (i) 2 heads (ii) 3 heads (iii) atleast 3 heads
38. Two dice are thrown. What is probability of getting (i) the sum
is 10 (ii) atleast 10
39. Three dice are rolled once. What is the chance that the sum of
the face numbers on the dice is (i) exactly 18 (ii) exactly 17
(iii) atmost 17.
40. An integer is chosen from 20 to 30. Find the probability that it
is a prime number.
41. An integer is chosen from 1 to 50. Find the probability that it is
multiple of 5 or multiply of 7
42. From a pack of cards find the probability of drawing a spade
card or a diamond card.
43. Find the probability that a leap year selected at random will
contain 53 Sundays.
44. Find the probability that a non-leap year selected at random
will contain either 53 Sundays or 53 Mondays.
45. If two events A and B are not mutually exclusive and are not
connected with one random experiment P(A)= 1/4, P(B) =2/5
and P(AUB) = 1/2 then find the value of P(B/A)
46. For two independent events A and B for which P(A) = 1/2 and
P(B) = 1/3. Find the probability that one of them occur.
47. For two events A and B, P(A) =1/3 = P( B ), P(B/A) =1/4
find P(A/B)
48. A box contains 4 red pens and 5 black pens. Find the
probability of drawing 3 black pens one by one (i) with
replacement (ii) without replacement
49. An urn contains 5 red and 7 green balls. Another urn contains 6
red and 9 green balls. If a ball is drawn from any one of the two
urns, find the probability that the ball drawn is green.
50. Two cards are drawn at random from a pack of 52 cards. Find
the probability that the cards drawn are (i) a diamond and a
spade (ii) a king and a queen (iii) 2 aces

33
51. A problem in statistics is given to two students A and B. The
probability that A solves the problem is 1/2 and that of B’ s to
solve it is 2/3. Find the probability that the problem is solved.
52. A bag contains 6 white, 4 green and 10 yellow balls. Two balls
are drawn at random. Find the probability that both will be
yellow.
53. In a certain class there are 21 students in subject A, 17 in
subject B and 10 in subject C. Of these 12 attend subjects A
and B, 5 attend subjects B and C, 6 attend subjects A and C.
These include 2 students who attend all the three subjects.
Find the probability that a student studies one subject alone.
54. If P(A) = 0.3, P(B) = 0.2 and P(C) = 0.1 and A,B,C are
independent events, find the probability of occurrence of at
least one of the three events A , B and C
55. The odds that A speaks the truth are 3:2 and the odds that B
speaks the truth 5:3. In what percentage of cases are they
likely to contradict each other on an identical point?
56. The chances of X, Y and Z becoming managers of a certain
company are 4:2:3. The probabilities that bonus scheme will
be introduced if X, Y and Z become managers are 0.3, 0.5 and
0.4 respectively. If the bonus scheme has been introduced
what is the probability that Z is appointed as the manager?
57. A manufacturing firm produces steel pipes in three plants with
daily production volumes of 500, 1000 and 2000 units
respectively. According to past experience, it is known that the
fractions of defective outputs produced by the three plants are
respectively, 0.005, 0.008 and 0.010. If a pipe is selected from
days total production and found to be defective, what is the
probability that it came from the (i) first plant (ii) the second
plant (iii) the third plant?

34
Answers:
I.
1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (b) 5. (c)
6. (b) 7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (b) 10. (c)
11. (b) 12.(a) 13.(d) 14.(a) 15. (d)

II.
16. 1 17. zero 18. priori 19. Compound events
20. P(A) +P(B) 21. P(A). P(B)
P(A ∩ B) 1
22. 23. 0 24.
P(B) 8
3 1
25. 26.
216 18

III

1 5 3 1 5 1 1 1 3 215
36. , 37. ; ; 38. ; 39. , ,
6 6 8 4 16 12 6 216 216 216
2 8 1 2 2
40. 41. 42. 43. 44.
11 25 2 7 7

45. P(A I B) = 3/20 ; P(B/A) = 3/5

1
46. 47. P(A I B) = 1/12 P(A/B)=1/8
2
125 5 71 13 8 1
48. , 49. 50. ; ;
729 42 120 102 663 221
5 9 8
51. 52. 53.
6 38 27
3 3 2 5 19
54. 0.496 55. × + × = = 47.5%
5 8 5 8 40
1 2 4 5 16 40
56. 6/17 57. (a) ; ; (b) ; ;
7 7 7 61 61 61

35
Activity:
We know that, when a coin is tossed, the probability of getting
a head is 0.5 mathematically.
Now do the following experiment.
1. Toss a fair coin 10 times. Record the event that the number
of heads occur in this experiment
2. Toss a fair coin 100 time with the help of your friends
group and record the same event that the number of heads
appearing.
3. Now compare all the three above mentioned and write your
inference.

36