Probability 15

BASIC CONCEPTS – A FLOW CHART

Probability 419
 MORE POINTS TO REMEMBER
 Equally likely outcomes: The outcomes of a random experiment are said to be equally
likely outcomes, when each outcome is as likely to occur as the other.

For example, when a coin is tossed, both outcomes H and T are equally likely to appear. Thus
H and T are equally likely outcomes. Similarly, when we throw a die then the outcomes, 1,
2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are equally likely.
 Favourable outcomes: The outcomes which ensure the occurrence of an event are called
favourable outcome of that event.

For example, suppose experiment is throwing a die and event is getting even number, then
favourable outcomes are 2, 4 and 6.
 Odds in favour or against of occurrence of event: If E and Er are complementary events,
then the ratio P(E) : P( Er ) is called as odds in favour of occurrence of event E while the ratio
P( Er ) : P(E) is called as odds against the occurrence of event E.

For example, suppose experiment is throwing a pair of die and event E is getting doublet.
6
P ( E) 36 6 1
Then, odds in favour of occurrence of E = = = =
r
P ( E) 30 30 5
36
30
P (Er ) 36 30
Odds against occurrence of E = = = =5
P ( E) 6 6
36
 Playing cards: The details of playing card having 52 cards are as:

10.

Fig. 15.1

Multiple Choice Questions [1 mark]

Choose and write the correct option in the following questions.
1. If an event cannot occur, then its probability is [NCERT Exemplar]
3 1
(a) 1 (b) (c) (d) 0
4 2
2. Which of the following cannot be the probability of an event? [NCERT Exemplar]
1 17
(a) (b) 0.1 (c) 3% (d)
3 16

420 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 3. An event is very unlikely to happen. Its probability is closest to
(a) 0.0001 (b) 0.001 (c) 0.01 (d) 0.1
4. Which of the following cannot be the probability of an event?
1 1
(a) (b) 0 (c) – (d) 0.8
4 2
5. The probability expressed as a percentage of a particular occurrence can never be
(a) less than 100 (b) less than 0
(c) greater than 1 (d) anything but a whole number
6. If P(A) denotes the probability of an event A, then  [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) P(A) < 0 (b) P(A) > 1 (c) 0 ≤ P(A) ≤ 1 (d) –1 ≤ P(A) ≤ 1
7. The probability that a non leap year selected at random will contain 53 sunday's is
 [NCERT Exemplar]
1 2 3 5
(a) (b) (c) (d)
7 7 7 7
8. When a die is thrown once, the probability of getting an odd number less than 3 is
1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d) 0
6 3 2
9. A die is thrown once, the probability of getting a prime number is
2 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3 3 2 6
10. The probability of getting a bad egg in a lot of 400 is 0.035. The number of bad eggs in the lot
is
(a) 7 (b) 14 (c) 21 (d) 28
11. The probability that a number selected at random from the numbers 1, 2, 3 ... 15 is a multiple
of 4 is
4 2 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
15 15 5 3
12. A coin is tossed 1000 times and 640 times a ‘head’ occurs. The empirical probability of
occurrence of a head in this case is
(a) 0.6 (b) 0.64 (c) 0.36 (d) 0.064
13. A card is selected from a deck of 52 cards. The probability of its being a face card is
3 1 3 2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
26 2 13 13
14. Two coins are tossed simultaneously. The probability of getting atmost one head is
1 1 3
(a) (b) (c) (d) 1
4 2 4
15. If the probability of an event is p, the probability of its complementary event will be
 [NCERT Exemplar]
1
(a) p – 1 (b) 1 – p (c) 1 – (d) p
p
16. A card is selected from a deck of 52 cards. The probability of being a red face card is
 [NCERT Exemplar]
3 3 2 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
26 13 13 2

Probability 421
 17. A card is drawn from a deck of 52 cards. The event E is that card is not an ace of hearts. The
number of outcomes favourable to E is [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) 4 (b) 13 (c) 48 (d) 51
18. A girl calculates that the probability of her winning the first prize in a lottery is 0.08. If 6,000
tickets are sold, how many tickets has she bought? [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) 40 (b) 240 (c) 480 (d) 750
19. A bag contains three green marbles, four blue marbles and two orange marbles. If a marble is
picked at random, then the probability that it is not an orange marble is
7 2 4
(a) (b) (c) (d) none of these
9 9 9
20. If a number x is chosen from the numbers 1, 2, 3 and a number y is selected from the numbers
1, 4, 9. Then P(xy < 9) is
3 4 1 5
(a) (b) (c) (d)
9 9 9 9
Answers
1. (d) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (b) 6. (c)
7. (a) 8. (a) 9. (c) 10. (b) 11. (c) 12. (b)
13. (c) 14. (c) 15. (b) 16. (a) 17. (d) 18. (c)
19. (a) 20. (d)

Fill in the Blanks [1 mark]

Complete the following statements with appropriate word(s) in the blank space(s).
1. Probability of an event E + Probability of the event ‘not E’= ______________ .
2. The probability of an event that cannot happen is ______________ . Such an event is called
______________ .
3. The probability of an event that is certain to happen is ______________ . Such an event is called
______________ .
4. The sum of the probabilities of all the elementary events of an experiment is ______________.
5. The probability of an event is greater than or equal to ______________ and less than or equal to
______________ .
6. The events which have equal chances to occur or no one is preferred over the other are called
______________.
7. When sum of probability of two events is 1, the events are called ______________ .
8. On a single roll of a die, the probability of getting a number 8 is ______________.
9. On a single roll of a die, the probability of getting a number less than 7 is______________ .
10. Someone is asked to mark a number from 1 to 100. The probability that it is a prime is
______________ .
11. A single letter is selected random from the word Probability, the probability it is a vowel
is______________ .
12. If I toss a coin 3 times and get head each time then the probability of getting head in next toss is
______________ .
13. Total number of red face card in a pack of cards is ______________ .

422 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 14. The outcomes which ensure the occurrence of an event are called ______________ outcomes.
15. Probability of an event cannot be ______________ .

Answers
1. 1 2. 0, impossible event 3. 1, sure or certain event 4 1
5. 0, 1 6. equally likely events 7. complementary events 8. zero
1 4 1
9. one 10. 11. 12. 13. 6 14. favourable
4 11 2
15. negative

Very Short Answer Questions [1 mark]

1. Two coins are tossed simultaneously. Find the probability of getting exactly one head.
Sol. Possible outcomes are {HH, HT, TH, TT}
2 1
P (exactly one head) =
=
4 2
2. From a well shuffled pack of cards, a card is drawn at random. Find the probability of getting
a black queen.
Sol. Number of black queens in a pack of cards = 2
2 1
\ P (black queen) = =
52 26
3. If P (E) = 0.05, what is the probability of ‘not E’ ? [NCERT]
Sol. As we know that,
P (E) + P (not E) = 1
P (not E) = 1 – P (E) = 1 – 0.05 = 0.95
4. What is the probability of getting no head when two coins are tossed simultaneously?
Sol. Favourable outcome is TT;
1
\ P (no head) =
4
5. In a single throw of a pair of dice, what is the probability of getting the sum a perfect square?
Sol. Total outcomes = 36
Favourable outcomes are {(1, 3), (3, 1), (2, 2), (3, 6), (6, 3), (4, 5), (5, 4)}
7
\
Required probability =
36
6. Someone is asked to choose a number from 1 to 100. What is the probability of it being a prime
number?
Sol. Total prime numbers between 1 to 100 = 25
25 1
\ P (prime number) = =
100 4
7. Cards marked with number 3, 4, 5, ....., 50 are placed in a box and mixed thoroughly. A card
is drawn at random from the box. Find the probability that the selected card bears a perfect
square number.  [CBSE Delhi 2016]
Sol. Possible outcomes are 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, i.e., 6.
6 1
\
P (perfect square number) = or
48 8

Probability 423
 8. A card is drawn at random from a well shuffled pack of 52 playing cards. Find the probability
of getting neither a red card nor a queen. [CBSE (AI) 2016]
Sol. Number of possible outcomes = 52
Number of red cards and queens = 28
Number of favourable outcomes = 52 – 28 = 24
24 6

P (getting neither a red card nor a queen) = =
52 13
9. 20 tickets, on which numbers 1 to 20 are written, are mixed thoroughly and then a ticket is
drawn at random out of them. Find the probability that the number on the drawn ticket is a
multiple of 3 or 7.  [CBSE (F) 2016]
Sol. n(S) = 20, multiples of 3 or 7, A: {3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 7, 14}, n(A) = 8
8 2
\
Required probability = or
20 5
10. A number is chosen at random from the numbers −3,−2,−1,0,1,2,3. What will be the
probability that square of this number is less than or equal to 1 ? [CBSE Delhi 2017]
Sol. Favourable outcomes are –1, 0, 1 = 3
Total outcomes = 7
3
\
Required probability =
7

Short Answer Questions-I [2 marks]

1. Two dice are thrown at the same time and the product of numbers appearing on them is noted.
Find the probability that the product is a prime number. [NCERT Exemplar]
Sol. Product of the number on the dice is prime number, i.e., 2, 3, 5.
The possible ways are (1, 2), (2, 1), (1, 3), (3, 1), (5, 1), (1, 5).
So, number of possible ways = 6
6 1
\ Required probability = =
36 6
2. Find the probability that a number selected from the numbers 1 to 25 is not a prime number
when each of the given numbers is equally likely to be selected.
Sol. Total prime numbers from 1 to 25 = 9.
\ Non-prime numbers from 1 to 25 = 25–9 = 16
16
⇒ P (non-prime number) =
25
3. One card is drawn at random from a pack of 52 cards. Find the probability that the card drawn
is an ace and black.
Sol. Number of black aces in a pack of cards = 2
2 1
\ P (an ace and black card) = =
52 26
4. A bag contains lemon flavoured candies only. Malini takes out one candy without looking into
the bag. What is the probability that she takes out
(i) an orange flavoured candy? (ii) a lemon flavoured candy? [NCERT]
Sol.(i) As the bag contains only lemon flavoured candies. So, the event related to the experiment
of taking out an orange flavoured candy is an impossible event. So, its probability is 0.
(ii) As the bag contains only lemon flavoured candies. So, the event related to the experiment
of taking out lemon flavoured candies is sure event. So, its probability is 1.
5. 12 defective pens are accidentally mixed with 132 good ones. It is not possible to just look
at a pen and tell whether or not it is defective. One pen is taken out at random from this lot.
Determine the probability that the pen taken out is a good one. [NCERT]

424 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 Sol. Here, total number of pens = 132 + 12 = 144
\
Total number of elementary outcomes = 144
Now, favourable number of elementary events =132
132 11
\
Probability that a pen taken out is good one = = .
144 12
6. A child has a die whose six faces show the letters as given below:
A B C A A B
The die is thrown once. What is the probability of getting (i) A? (ii) B? [CBSE 2019 (30/5/1)]
Sol. The total number of elementary events associated with random experiment of throwing a die is 6.
(i) Let E be the event of getting a letter A.
\
Favourable number of elementary events = 3
3 1
\ P(E) = =
6 2
(ii) Let E be the event of getting a letter B.
\
Favourable number of elementary events = 2
2 1
\
P(E) = =
6 3
7. A card is drawn at random from a pack of 52 playing cards. Find the probability that the card
drawn is neither a red card nor a black king.
Sol. Let E be the event ‘card drawn is neither a red card nor a black king’
The number of outcomes favourable to the event E = 24 (26 red cards and 2 black kings are not
there, so 52 – 28 = 24)
24 6
\ P(E) = =
52 13
8. Rahim tosses two different coins simultaneously. Find the probability of getting at least one
tail.  [CBSE Delhi 2014]
Sol. The sample space is {HH, HT, TH, TT}
Total number of outcomes = 4
Outcomes for getting at least one tail is {HT, TH, TT}
Number of favourable outcomes =3
Number of favourableoutcomes 3
\
Probability of getting at least one tail = =
Total number ofoutcomes 4
9. Subhash enjoys walking every morning. As it is very cold outside, he usually take his sweaters
when he goes out for walking. He has 3 red sweaters, 7 black sweaters and 10 white sweaters.
One day, while he was about to take his sweater from the cupboard, the power goes off.
(i) If he picks one sweater at random, how likely is it that he will get a white sweater?
(ii) If he picks one sweater at random, how likely is it that he will get either red or black
sweater?
Sol. We have,
Total possible outcomes = 3 + 7 + 10 = 20 sweaters
(i) Total number of white sweater = 10
10 1
∴ Probability that he will get a white sweater =
=
20 2
(ii) Total number of favourable outcomes i.e., either red or black sweater = 3 + 7 = 10
10 1
∴ Probability that he will get either a red or black sweater = =
20 2

Probability 425
Short Answer Questions-II [3 marks]
1. Harpreet tosses two different coins simultaneously (say, one is of ™1 and other of ™2). What is
the probability that she gets at least one head?
Sol. When two coins are tossed simultaneously, the possible outcomes are (H, H), (H, T), (T, H), (T, T)
which are all equally likely. Here (H, H) means head up on the first coin (say on ™ 1) and head
up on the second coin (™ 2). Similarly (H, T) means head up on the first coin and tail up on the
second coin and so on.
The outcomes favourable to the event E, ‘at least one head’ are (H, H), (H, T) and (T, H).
So, the number of outcomes favourable to E is 3.
3
Therefore, P(E) =
4
3
i.e., the probability that Harpreet gets at least one head is .
4
2. A game consists of tossing a one-rupee coin 3 times and noting the outcome each time. Ramesh
wins the game if all the tosses give the same result (i.e. three heads or three tails) and loses
otherwise. Find the probability of Ramesh losing the game. [CBSE (F) 2016, Delhi 2017 (C)]
OR
A game consists of tossing a coin 3 times and noting the outcome each time. If getting the same
result in all the tosses is a success, find the probability of losing the game.
 [CBSE 2019 (30/1/2)]
Sol. The outcomes associated with this experiment are given by HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH,
THT, HTT, TTT.
\ Total number of possible outcomes = 8

Now, Ramesh will lose the game if he gets HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT.

\ Favourable number of events = 6

6 3
\ =
Probability that he lose the game =
8 4
OR

Solution is similar as above and answer remains same.
3. Three unbiased coins are tossed together. Find the probability of getting: [CBSE (AI) 2016]
(i) all heads. (ii) exactly two heads. (iii) exactly one head.
(iv) at least two heads. (v) at least two tails.
Sol. Elementary events associated to random experiment of tossing three coins are HHH, HHT,
HTH, THH, HTT, THT, TTH, TTT.
\ Total number of elementary events =8
(i) The event ‘‘getting all heads’’ is said to occur, if the elementary event HHH occurs,
i.e.favourable number of elementary events = 1
1
Hence, required probability =
8
(ii) The event ‘‘getting two heads’’ will occur, if one of the elementary events HHT, THH, HTH
occurs i.e.; favourable number of elementary events = 3
3
Hence, required probability =
8
(iii) The event of “getting one head”, when three coins are tossed together, occurs if one of

the elementary events HTT, THT, TTH, occurs i.e.; favourable number of elementary
events = 3

426 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 3
Hence, required probability = .
8
(iv) If any of the elementary events HHH, HHT, HTH, and THH is an outcome, then we say
that the event ‘‘getting at least two heads’’ occurs i.e.; favourable number of elementary
events = 4
4 1
Hence, required probability = = .
8 2
4 1
(v) Similar as (iv) P (getting at least two tails) = =
8 2
4. A die is thrown once. Find the probability of getting:
(i) a prime number. (ii) a number lying between 2 and 6.
(iii) an odd number.  [NCERT, CBSE 2019 (30/1/2)]
Sol. We have, the total number of possible outcomes associated with the random experiment of
throwing a die is 6 (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
(i) Let E denotes the event of getting a prime number.
So, favourable number of outcomes = 3 (i.e., 2, 3, 5)
3 1
\ P(E) = =
6 2
(ii) Let E be the event of getting a number lying between 2 and 6.
\
Favourable number of elementary events (outcomes) = 3 (i.e., 3, 4, 5)
3 1
\ P(E) = =
6 2
(iii) Let E be the event of getting an odd number.

\
Favourable number of elementary events = 3 (i.e., 1, 3, 5)
3 1
\ P(E) = =
6 2
5. Suppose we throw a die once. (i) What is the probability of getting a number greater than 4?
(ii) What is the probability of getting a number less than or equal to 4?
Sol.
(i) Here, let E be the event ‘getting a number greater than 4’. The number of possible outcomes
are six : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and the outcomes favourable to E are 5 and 6. Therefore, the
number of outcomes favourable to E is 2. So,
2 1
P(E) = P (number greater than 4) = =
6 3
(ii) Let F be the event ‘getting a number less than or equal to 4’.
Number of possible outcomes = 6
Outcomes favourable to the event F are 1, 2, 3, 4.
So, the number of outcomes favourable to F is 4.
4 2
Therefore, P(F) = =
6 3
6. Five cards—the ten, jack, queen, king and ace of diamonds, are well-shuffled with their face
downwards. One card is then picked up at random.
(i) What is the probability that the card is the queen ?
(ii) If the queen is drawn and put aside, what is the probability that the second card picked
up is (a) an ace? (b) a queen? [NCERT]
Sol. Here, the total number of possible outcomes = 5.
(i) Since, there is only one queen
\
Favourable number of elementary events = 1
1
\
Probability of getting the card of queen =
5

Probability 427
 (ii) Now, the total number of possible outcomes = 4.

(a) Since, there is only one ace
\ Favourable number of elementary events = 1
1
\ Probability of getting an ace card =
4
(b)  Since, there is no queen (as queen is put aside)
\ Favourable number of elementary events = 0
0
\ Probability of getting a queen = = 0.
4
7. A box contains 5 red marbles, 8 white marbles and 4 green marbles. One marble is taken out
of the box at random. What is the probability that the marble taken out will be (i) red ? (ii) not
green?
Sol. Here, total number of marbles = 17
\
Total number of possible outcomes = 17
(i) Since, there are 5 red marbles in the box.
\
Favourable number of elementary events = 5
5
\
Probability of getting red marble =
17
(ii) Since, there are 5+8=13 marbles which are not green in the box.

\
Favourable number of elementary events = 13
13
\
Probability of not getting a green marble =
17
8. A bag contains 5 red, 8 white and 7 black balls. A ball is drawn at random from the bag. Find
the probability that the drawn ball is:
(i) red or white. (ii) not black. (iii) neither white nor black.
Sol. Total number of balls = 5 + 8 + 7 = 20
5+8 13
(i) P (red or white ball) = =
20 20
7 13
(ii) P (not black ball) = 1 – P (black ball) = 1 –
=
20 20
5 1
(iii) P (neither white nor black ball) = P (red ball) =
= .
20 4
9. It is given that in a group of 3 students, the probability of 2 students not having the same
birthday is 0.992. What is the probability that the 2 students have the same birthday?
 [NCERT]
Sol. Let E be the event of having the same birthday.
Therefore, Er is the event of not having the same birthday.
i.e., P ( Er ) = 0.992 (Given)
Now, we have
P(E) + P( Er ) = 1 ⇒ P(E) = 1 – P( Er ) = 1 – 0.992 = 0.008.
10. 1000 tickets of a lottery were sold and there are 5 prizes on these tickets. If Saket has purchased
one lottery ticket, what is the probability of winning a prize ?
Sol. Out of 1000 lottery tickets, one ticket can be chosen in 1000 ways.
\ Total number of elementary events = 1000
It is given that there are 5 prizes on these 1000 tickets.
Therefore, number of ways of selecting a prize ticket = 5

428 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 5 1
Hence, P (winning a prize) = = .
1000 200
11. In a single throw of a pair of different dice, what is the probability of getting (i) a prime
number on each dice ? (ii) a total of 9 or 11 ? [CBSE Delhi 2016]
Sol. Total outcomes = 36
(i) Favourable outcomes are (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 5) (3, 2) (3,3) (3, 5) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 5) i.e., 9.
9 1
P (a prime number on each die) = or
36 4
(ii) Favourable outcomes are (3, 6) (4, 5) (5, 4) (6, 3) (5, 6) (6, 5) i.e., 6 outcomes

6 1

P (a total of 9 or 11) = or
36 6
12. Two different dice are thrown together. Find the probability that the numbers obtained
(i) have a sum less than 7 (ii) have a product less than 16 (iii) is a doublet of
odd numbers [CBSE Delhi 2017]
Sol. Total number of outcomes = 36
(i) Favourable outcomes are (1, 1,) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (3, 1) (3, 2)
(3, 3) (4, 1) (4, 2) (5, 1) i.e., 15.
15 5
∴ P (sum less than 7) = or
36 12
(ii) Favourable outcomes are (1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6) (2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5)
(2, 6) (3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (6, 1) (6, 2) i.e., 25.
25
∴ P (product less than 16) =
36
(iii) Favourable outcomes are

(1, 1) (3, 3) (5, 5) i.e., 3.
3 1
∴ P (doublet of odd number) = or
36 12

Long Answer Questions [5 marks]

1. One card is drawn from a well-shuffled deck of 52 cards. Find the probability of getting:
(i) a king of red colour. (ii) a face card. (iii) a red face card.
(iv) the jack of hearts. (v) a spade. (vi) the queen of diamonds.
 [NCERT]
Sol. Here, total number of possible outcomes = 52
(i) As we know that there are two suits of red card, i.e., diamond and heart and each suit
contains one king.
\
Favourable number of outcomes = 2
2 1
\
=
Probability of getting a king of red colour =
52 26
(ii) As we know that kings, queens and jacks are called face cards i.e., there are 12 face cards.

\
Favourable number of elementary events = 12
12 3
\ Probability of getting a face card = =
52 13
(iii) As we know there are two suits of red cards, i.e., diamond and heart and each suit contains

3 face cards.
\
Favourable number of elementary events = 2 × 3 = 6
6 3
\
Probability of getting red face card = =
52 26

Probability 429
 (iv) Since, there is only one jack of hearts.

\
Favourable number of elementary events = 1
1
\ Probability of getting the jack of heart = .
52
(v) Since, there are 13 cards of spade.
\
Favourable number of elementary events = 13
13 1
\
Probability of getting a spade = = .
52 4
(vi) Since, there is only one queen of diamonds.

\
Favourable number of outcomes (elementary events) = 1
1
\
Probability of getting a queen of diamond = .
52
2. One card is drawn from a pack of 52 cards, each of the 52 cards being equally likely to be
drawn. Find the probability that the card drawn is:
(i) an ace. (ii) red. (iii) either red or king. (iv) red and a king.
(v) a face card. (vi) a red face card. (vii) ‘2’ of spades. (viii) ‘10’ of a black suit.
Sol. Out of 52 cards, one card can be drawn in 52 ways.
So, total number of elementary events = 52
(i) There are four ace cards in a pack of 52 cards.
\
Favourable number of elementary events = 4
4 1
Hence, required probability = = .
52 13
(ii) There are 26 red cards in a pack of 52 cards. Therefore favourable number of elementary
events = 26
26 1
Hence, required probability = = .
52 2
(iii) There are 26 red cards, including two red kings, in a pack of 52 playing cards. Also, there

are 4 kings, two red and two black. Therefore, card drawn will be a red card or a king if it
is any one of 28 cards (26 red cards and 2 black kings).
\
Favourable number of elementary events = 28
28 7
Hence, required probability = = .
52 13
(iv) A card drawn will be red as well as king, if it is a red king. There are 2 red kings in a pack

of 52 playing cards.
\
Favourable number of elementary events = 2
2 1
Hence, required probability = = .
52 26
(v) In a deck of 52 cards kings, queens, and jacks are called face cards. Thus, there are 12 face
cards. Favourable number of elementary events = 12
12 3
Hence, required probability = = .
52 13
(vi) There are 6 red face cards 3 each from diamonds and hearts. Favourable number of
elementary events = 6.
6 3
Hence, required probability = = .
52 26

430 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 (vii) There is only one ‘2’ of spades.

\
Favourable number of elementary events = 1
1
Hence, required probability = .
52
(viii) There are two suits of black cards viz. spades and clubs. Each suit contains one card bearing

number 10.
\
Favourable number of elementary events = 2
2 1
Hence, required probability = = .
52 26
3. A game of chance consists of spinning an arrow which comes to rest pointing
at one of the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (see Fig. 15.2), and these are
equally likely outcomes. What is the probability that it will point at:
(i) 8 ? (ii) an odd number? (iii) a number greater than 2?
(iv) a number less than 9?  [NCERT]
Sol. Here, total number of elementary events (possible outcomes) = 8
(i) We have only one ‘8’ on the spining plant. Fig. 15.2
\
Favourable number of outcomes = 1
1
Hence, the probability that arrow points at 8 = .
8
(ii) We have four odd points (i.e.,1, 3, 5 and 7)

\
Favourable number of outcomes = 4
4 1
Hence, probability that arrow points at an odd number = = .
8 2
(iii) We have 6 numbers greater than 2, i.e., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Therefore, favourable number of outcomes = 6
6 3
Probability that arrow points at a number greater than 2 = = .
8 4
(iv) We have 8 numbers less than 9, i.e, 1, 2, 3, ... 8.

\
Favourable number of outcomes = 8
8
Hence, probability that arrow points at a number less than 9 = = 1.
8
4. Two dice, one blue and one grey, are thrown at the same time. Write down all the possible
outcomes. What is the probability that the sum of the two numbers appearing on the top of the
dice is:
(i) 8? (ii) 13? (iii) less than or equal to 12?
Sol. When the blue die shows ‘1’, the
grey die could show any one of the
numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The same is
true when the blue die shows ‘2’, ‘3’,
‘4’, ‘5’ or ‘6’. The possible outcomes
of the experiment are listed in the
table below; the first number in each
ordered pair is the number appearing
on the blue die and the second
number is that on the grey die.
So, the number of possible outcomes
= 6 × 6 = 36.
(i) The outcomes favourable to the event ‘the sum of the two numbers is 8’ denoted by
E, are :

Probability 431
 (2, 6), (3, 5), (4, 4), (5, 3), (6, 2) (see figure) i.e.; 5
5
Hence, P(E) =
36
(ii) As you can see from figure, there is no outcome favourable to the event F, ‘the sum of two
numbers is 13’.
0
So, P(F) = =0
36
(iii) As you can see from figure, all the outcomes are favourable to the event G, ‘sum of two
numbers ≤ 12’.
36
So, P(G) = = 1.
36
5. A bag contains cards numbered from 1 to 49. A card is drawn from the bag at random, after
mixing the cards throughly. Find the probability that the number on the drawn card is:
 [CBSE Delhi 2014]
(i) an odd number. (ii) a multiple of 5. (iii) a perfect square. (iv) an even prime number.
OR
Cards marked with numbers 5 to 50 (one number on one card) are placed in a box and mixed

throughly. One card is drawn at random from the box. Find the probability that the number
on the card taken out is 
(i) a prime number less than 10 (ii) a number which is a perfect square.
 [CBSE 2019 (30/5/1)]
Sol. Total number of cards = 49
\
Total number of outcomes = 49
(i) Odd number
Favourable outcomes : 1
 , 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39,
41, 43, 45, 47, 49 i.e., 25
No. of favourable outcomes 25
Probability (E) = =
Total number of outcomes 49
(ii) A multiple of 5

Favourable outcomes : 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 i.e., 9
No. of favourable outcomes 9
Probability (E) = =
Total number of outcomes 49
(iii) A perfect square

Favourable outcomes : 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49 i.e.; 7
No. of favourable outcomes 7 1
Probability (E) = = =
Total number of outcomes 49 7
(iv) An even prime number

Favourable outcome : 2 i.e., 1
No. of favourable outcomes 1
Probability (E) = =
Total number of outcomes 49
OR
Similar solution as above only values are changed.
1 5
Ans. (i) (ii)
23 46
6. All the black face cards are removed from a pack of 52 playing cards. The remaining cards are
well shuffled and then a card is drawn at random. Find the probability of getting a:
(i) face card. (ii) red card. (iii) black card. (iv) king. [CBSE Delhi 2014]

432 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 Sol. Cards remaining after removing black face cards = red cards + black cards excluding face cards
Total number of possible outcomes = 26 + 20 = 46
(i) Face card
Favourable outcomes : 6 red face cards (king, queen and jack of diamond and heart suits)
No. of favourable outcomes 6 3
Probability (E) = = =
Total number of outcomes 46 23
(ii) Red card

No. of favourable outcomes : 26 (13–13 cards of heart and diamond suits)
Number of favourable outcomes 26 13
Probability (E) = = =
Total number of outcomes 46 23
(iii) Black card

No. of favourable outcomes : 20 (10–10 cards of club and spade suits)
Number of favourable outcomes 20 10
Probability (E) = = =
Total number of outcomes 46 23
(iv) King

No. of favourable outcomes : 2 (king of heart and diamond suits)
Number of favourable outcomes 2 1
Probability (E) = = =
Total number of outcomes 46 23
7. Cards numbered from 11 to 60 are kept in a box. If a card is drawn at random from the box,
find the probability that the number on the drawn card is: [CBSE Delhi 2014]
(i) an odd number. (ii) a perfect square number. (iii) divisible by 5.
(iv) a prime number less than 20.
Sol. No. of possible outcomes = 60 – 11 + 1 = 50.
(i) An odd number
Favourable outcomes : 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45,
47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 i.e., 25
Number of favourable outcomes 25 1
Probability (E) = = =
Total number of outcomes 50 2
(ii) A perfect square number

Favourable outcomes : 16, 25, 36, 49 i.e., 4
Number of favourable outcomes 4 2
Probability (E) = = =
Total number of outcomes 50 25
(iii) Divisible by 5

Favourable outcomes : 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 i.e., 10
Number of favourable outcomes 10 1
Probability (E) = = =
Total number of outcomes 50 5

(iv) A prime number less than 20

Favourable outcomes : 11, 13, 17, 19 i.e., 4
Number of favourable outcomes 4 2
Probability (E) = = =
Total number of outcomes 50 25
8. A number x is selected at random from the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4. Another number y is selected
at random from the numbers 1, 4, 9 and 16. Find the probability that product of x and y is less
than 16.  [CBSE (AI) 2016]
Sol. x can be any one of 1, 2, 3 or 4 and y can be any one of 1, 4, 9 or 16

Probability 433
 Total number of cases of product of x and y = 16
Product less than 16 = (1×1, 1×4, 1×9, 2×1, 2×4, 3×1, 3×4, 4×1)
Number of cases, where product is less than 16 = 8
8 1
\ Required probability = or
16 2
a
9. In Fig. 15.3, shown a disc on which a player spins an arrow twice. The function is formed,
b
where ‘a’ is the number of sector on which arrow stops on the first spin and ‘b’ is the number
of the sector in which the arrow stops on second spin. On each spin, each sector has equal
a
chance of selection by the arrow. Find the probability that the fraction > 1.
b
 [CBSE (F) 2016]
Sol. For a/b > 1, when a = 1, b can not take any value,
a = 2, b can take 1 value,
a = 3, b can take 2 values,
a = 4, b can take 3 values,
a = 5, b can take 4 values,
a = 6, b can take 5 values. Fig. 15.3

Total possible outcomes = 36

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 15 5
\ P( a/b > 1) = = or
36 36 12
10. Two different dice are thrown together. Find the probability that the numbers obtained have
(i) even sum (ii) even product. [CBSE (AI) 2017]
Sol. Total number of outcomes = 36 [(1, 1), (1, 2) ... (6, 6)]
Number of outcomes when sum is even = 18 [(1, 1), (1, 3) ...(6, 6)]
Number of outcomes when product is even = 27 [(1, 2), (1, 4) ... (6, 6)]
18 1
(i) P (even sum) = =
36 2
27 3
(ii) P (even product) = =
36 4
11. Reshma and Ritam are two friends studying in same class 10 of different school in Delhi. In
order to complete their holidays project work on historical monuments they decide to visit
Redfort. For this they decided to toss coin. If heads appear they decide to visit otherwise not.
For Redfort they toss coin separately and result of both was head. Redfort remains close on
Monday. So none of them visited Redfort. Now to decide day of visit from remaining days of
week, each of them throw a die. On the basis of outcome they went to Redfort.
(i) What is the probability of visiting Redfort on Monday?
(ii) What is the probability of not visiting Redfort on Monday?
(iii) What is the probability of visiting Redfort on same day of week?
(iv) What is the probability of visiting Redfort on different day of week?
(v) What is the probability of visiting Redfort on consecutive day of week?
Sol. Since the Redfort remains close on Monday, therefore only six days in a week to visit the Redfort.
(i) ∴ Probability of visiting Redfort on Monday = 0
(Since on Monday Redfort is closed)
(ii) Probability of not visiting Redfort on Monday = 1
(Since on Mondey Redfort is closed)
6 1
(iii) Probability of visiting Redfort on same day = =
36 6

434 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 1 5
=
(iv) Probability of visiting Redfort on different day = 1 –
6 6
(v) Favourable outcomes for consecutive day except Monday in a week are
{(Tue, Wed), (Wed, Thu), (Thu, Fri), (Fri, Sat), (Sat, Sun)}
and each pair has two choices i.e., if on first day Reshma goes and second day Ritam goes
or if on first day Ritam goes then second day Reshma goes.
Hence, total number of favourable outcomes = 10
and total number of possible outcomes = 36
10
∴ Required probability =
36

HOTS [Higher Order Thinking Skills]

1. A die is thrown twice. What is the probability that
(i) 5 will not come up either time? (ii) 5 will come up at least once?
Sol. (i) Favourable outcomes are
[(1, 1), (1, 2), (1, 3), (1, 4), (1, 6), (2, 1), (2, 2), (2, 3), (2, 4), (2, 6), (3, 1), (3, 2), (3, 3), (3, 4),
(3, 6), (4, 1), (4, 2), (4, 3), (4, 4), (4, 6), (6, 1), (6, 2), (6, 3), (6, 4), (6, 6)] i.e.; 25
Total outcomes = 36
25
\
Required probability =
36
(ii) Probability that 5 will come atleast once = 1 – P (5 will not come up either time)

25 11
   = 1 – =
36 36
2. Find the probability that in a leap year there will be 53 Tuesdays. [CBSE (F) 2017]
Sol. Leap year = 366 days = (52×7+2) days = 52 weeks and 2 days.
Thus, a leap year always has 52 Tuesdays.
The remaining 2 days can be:
(i) Sunday and Monday (ii) Monday and Tuesday (iii) Tuesday and Wednesday
(iv) Wednesday and Thursday (v) Thursday and Friday (vi) Friday and Saturday
(vii) Saturday and Sunday
Out of these 7 cases, we have Tuesdays in two cases.
2
\ P(53 Tuesdays) = .
7
3. A bag contains 5 red balls and some blue balls. If the probability of drawing a blue ball from
the bag is thrice that of a red ball, find the number of blue balls in the bag.
Sol. Let there be x blue balls in the bag.
\
Total number of balls in the bag = (5 + x)
x
Now, P1 = Probability of drawing a blue ball =
+
5 x
5
P2 = Probability of drawing a red ball =
+
5 x
We are given that,
x 5
P1 = 3 × P2 ⇒ = 3×
5+x 5+x
⇒
x(5 + x) = 15(5 + x) ⇒ x = 15
Hence, there are 15 blue balls in the bag.

Probability 435
 4. Apoorv throws two dice once and computes the product of the numbers appearing on the dice.
Peehu throws one die and squares the number that appears on it. Who has the better chance
of getting the number 36? Why? [NCERT Exemplar]
Sol. Apoorv throws two dice once.
So, total number of outcomes, n(S) = 36.
Number of outcomes for getting product 36,
n(E1) = 1 [(6 × 6)]
n (E1) 1
\
Probability for Apoorv getting the number 36 = =
n (S) 36
Also, Peehu throw one die.
So, total number of outcomes n(S) = 6
Number of outcomes for getting square of a number as 36.
n(E2) = 1 ( 62 = 36)
n (E2) 1 6
\ Probability for Peehu getting the number 36 =
= =
n (S) 6 36
Hence, Peehu has better chance of getting the number 36.

PROFICIENCY EXERCISE
QQ Objective Type Questions: [1 mark each]
1. Choose and write the correct option in each of the following questions.
(i) One card is drawn from a well shuffled deck of 52 cards. The probability that it is black
queen is
1 1 1 2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
26 13 52 13
(ii) Which of the following can be probability of an event?
(a) 2 (b) –1 (c) 0.3 (d) 1.12

(iii) A die is thrown once. The probability of getting an even number is

1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3 6 4 2
(iv) The probability of throwing a number greater than 2 with a fair die is
1 2 1 3
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3 3 4 5
(v) The probability of getting exactly one head in tossing a pair of coins is
1 1
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) (d)
3 2
2. Fill in the blanks.
(i) The probability of getting a spade card from a well shuffled deck of 52 cards is ________ .
(ii) Total number of events in throwing ten coins simultaneously is ___________ .
(iii) Three coins are tossed simultaneously the probability of getting all heads is ___________.
(iv) The letters of the word "SOCIETY" are placed at random. The probability of getting a
vowel is ___________.
(v) Probability of a sure event is ______________.

436 Xam idea Mathematics–X

QQ Very Short Answer Questions: [1 mark each]
3. A card is drawn from a deck of 52 cards. The event E is defined as ‘card is not a face card’. What
will be the number of outcomes favourable to E?
4. In a single throw of a die, what is the probability of getting a prime number?
5. A number is chosen from the numbers 1 to 50. What is the probability that the selected number
is multiple of 5?
6. The probability of getting a bad egg in a lot of 400 is 0.035. What is the number of bad eggs in
the lot?
7. A number x is chosen at random from the numbers –3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3. What is the probability
that |x|< 2?
8. A bag contains 3 black marbles, 5 red marbles and 6 white marbles. If a marble is picked at
random, then what is the probability that it is not a white marble?
9. Avni and Arushi draws one ball each from a bag containing 2 red and 3 green balls. Avni draws a
red ball first which is not put back. What is the probability that Arushi who draws next also gets
a red ball?
10. A letter of English alphabet is chosen at random. What is the probability that it is a letter of the
word ‘MATHEMATICS’?
11. The probability of selecting a rotten apple randomly from a heap of 900 apples is 0·18. What is
the number of rotten apples in the heap? [CBSE (AI) 2017]
12. A bag contains 3 red and 5 black balls. A ball is drawn at random from the bag. What is the
probability that the drawn ball is not red? [CBSE Delhi 2017 (C)]
QQ Short Answer Questions–I: [2 marks each]
13. Two different dice are tossed together. Find the probability:
(i) of getting a doublet
(ii) of getting a sum 10, of the numbers on the two dice. [CBSE 2018 (30/1)]
14. An integer is chosen at random between 1 and 100. Find the probability that it is:
(i) divisible by 8. (ii) not divisible by 8.  [CBSE 2018 (30/1)]
15. The probability of selecting a blue marble at random from a jar that contains only blue, black
1
and green marbles is . The probability of selecting a black marble at random from the same
5
1
jar is . If the jar contains 11 green marbles, find the total number of marbles in the jar.
4
 [CBSE 2019 (30/2/1)]
16. A die is thrown once. Find the probability of getting (i) a composite number, (ii) a prime
number.  [CBSE 2019 (30/3/1)]
17. Cards numbered 7 to 40 were put in a box. Poonam selects a card at random. What is the
probability that Poonam selects a card which is a multiple of 7?  [CBSE 2019 (30/3/1)]
18. A bag contains 15 balls, out of which some are white and the others are black. If the probability
2
of drawing a black ball at random from the bag is , then find how many white balls are there
3
in the bag.  [CBSE 2019 (30/4/2)]
19. A card is drawn at random from a pack of 52 playing cards. Find the probability of drawing a
card which is neither a spade nor a king.  [CBSE 2019 (30/4/2)]
20. Three different coins are tossed simultaneously. Find the probability of getting exactly one
head.  [CBSE 2019 (30/4/3)]

Probability 437
 21. A die is thrown once. Find the probability of getting (a) a prime number (b) an odd number.
 [CBSE 2019 (30/4/3)]
22. A pair of dice is thrown once. Find the probability of getting (i) even number on each die (ii) a
total of 9.  [CBSE 2019 (C) (30/1/1)]
23. A bag contains some balls of which x are white, 2x are black and 3x are red. A ball is selected at
random. What is the probability that it is (i) not red (ii) white  [CBSE 2019 (C) (30/1/1)]
24. A bag contains 6 white balls numbered 1 to 6 and 4 red balls numbered 7 to 10. Find the
probability of getting a:
(a) red ball with even number on it.
(b) an odd number ball.
25. A card is drawn at random from a well-shuffled pack of 52 playing cards. Find the probability of
getting a red face card.
26. Two coins are tossed simultaneously. What is the probability of getting at least one head?
27. What is the probability of getting atmost one tail when two coins are tossed simultaneously?
28. A letter of English alphabet is chosen at random. Determine the probability that the letter is a
consonant.
29. If P(E) = 0.75, what is the probability of ‘not E’?
30. If probability of success is 63%, what is the probability of failure?
31. There are 30 cards of same size in a bag on which the numbers 1 to 30 are written. One card is
taken out of the bag at random. Find the probability that the number on the selected card is not
divisible by 3.
In a simultaneous throw of a pair of dice, find the probability of getting:
32. a doublet of even numbers.
33. an even number on one and a multiple of 3 on the other.
34. neither 9 nor 11 as the sum of the numbers on the faces.
35. A number is selected at random from first 50 natural numbers. Find the probability that it is a
multiple of 3 and 4.
36. Two different dice are rolled simultaneously. Find the probability that the sum of numbers
appearing on the two dice is 10.  [CBSE (F) 2014]
37. Two different dice are tossed together. Find the probability:
(i) that the number on each die is even.
(ii) that the sum of numbers appearing on the two dice is 5.  [CBSE (AI) 2014]
QQ Short Answer Questions–II: [3 marks each]
38. Two dice are thrown simultaneously. Find the probability of getting the sum [NCERT Exemplar]
(i) 9.
(ii) 1.
(iii) a prime number.
39. Two dice are thrown at the same time. Determine the probability that the difference of the
numbers on the two dice is:  [NCERT Exemplar]
(i) 0.
(ii) 2.
40. Two different dice are thrown together. Find the probability that the product of the numbers
appeared is less than 18.  [CBSE (F) 2017]

438 Xam idea Mathematics–X

41. A die has its six faces marked 0, 1, 1, 1, 6, 6. Two such dice are thrown together and the total score
is recorded.  [NCERT Exemplar]
(i) How many different scores are possible?
(ii) What is the probability of getting a total of 7?
42. A bag contains white, black and red balls only. A ball is drawn at random from the bag. The
3 2
probability of getting a white ball is and that of a black ball is . Find the probability of
10 5
getting a red ball. If the bag contains 20 black balls, then find the total number of balls in the bag.
43. A die is thrown twice. What is the probability that:
(i) 3 will not come up either time?
(ii) 3 will come up at least once?
44. A bag contains 8 red, 7 orange and 9 green balls. A ball is drawn at random from the bag. Find
the probability that the drawn ball is:
(i) orange or green.
(ii) not orange.
(iii) neither green nor red.
45. A card is drawn at random from a pack of 52 playing cards. Find the probability that the card
drawn is neither a black card nor a king.
46. All the jacks, queens and kings are removed from a deck of 52 playing cards and then well
shuffled. Then one card is drawn at random. If an ace is given a value 1, find the probability that
the card has a value:
(i) 5.
(ii) less than 5.
(iii) greater than 5.
47. A bag contains cards which are numbered from 2 to 90. A card is drawn at random from the bag.
Find the probability that it bears:
(i) a two digit number.
(ii) a number which is a perfect square.
48. A carton of 24 bulbs contain 6 defective bulbs. One bulb is drawn at random. What is the
probability that the bulb is not defective? If the bulb selected is defective and it is not replaced
and a second bulb is selected at random from the rest, what is the probability that the second
bulb is defective?  [NCERT Exemplar]
49. A child’s game has 8 triangles of which 3 are blue and rest are red, and 10 squares of which 6 are
blue and rest are red. One piece is lost at random. Find the probability that it is a: [NCERT Exemplar]
(i) triangle.
(ii) square.
(iii) square of blue colour.
(iv) triangle of red colour.
50. Box a contains 25 slips of which 19 are marked ™1 and other are marked ™5 each. Box b contains
50 slips of which 45 are marked ™1 each and others are marked ™13 each. Slips of both the boxes
are poured into a third box and reshuffled. A slip is drawn at random. What is the probability
that it is marked other than ™1?  [NCERT Exemplar]

Probability 439
 51. A lot of 60 bulbs contain 12 defective ones. One bulb is drawn at random from the lot. What is the
probability that this bulb is defective? Suppose the bulb drawn in first attempt is defective and is
not replaced. Now, one bulb is drawn at random from the rest. What is the probability that this
bulb is not defective?
52. Rajani and Kanika are friends. What is the probability that both will have:
(i) different birthdays?
(ii) the same birthday? (ignoring a leap year)
QQ Long Answer Questions: [5 marks each]
53. The King, Queen and Jack of clubs are removed from a pack of 52 cards and then the remaining
cards are well shuffled. A card is selected from the remaining cards. Find the probability of
getting a card [CBSE 2018 (C) 30/1]
(i) of spade
(ii) of black king
(iii) of club
(iv) of jacks

54. The probability of selecting a green marble at random from a jar that contains only green, white
1
and yellow marbles is . The probability of selecting a white marble at random from the same
4
1
jar is . If this jar contains 10 yellow marbles, what is the total number of marbles in the jar?
3
55. Red queens and black jacks are removed from a pack of 52 playing cards. A card is drawn at
random from the remaining cards, after reshuffling them. Find the probability that the drawn
card is:  [CBSE (AI) 2014]
(i) a king.
(ii) of red colour.
(iii) a face card.
(iv) a queen.
56. Cards numbered 1 to 30 are put in a bag. A card is drawn at random from this bag. Find the
probability that the number on the drawn card is:
(i) not divisible by 3.
(ii) a prime number greater than 7.
(iii) not a perfect square number.  [CBSE (F) 2014]
57. A dice is rolled twice. Find the probability that:
(i) 5 will not come up either time.
(ii) 5 will come up exactly one time.  [CBSE (F) 2014]
58. A box contains 90 discs which are numbered from 1 to 90. If one disc is drawn at random from
the box, find the probability that it bears (i) a two-digit number, (ii) a number divisible by 5.
[CBSE (F) 2017]

440 Xam idea Mathematics–X

 Answers
1. (i) (a) (ii) (c) (iii) (d) (iv) (b) (v) (d)

1 1 3
2. (i) (ii) 1024 (iii) (iv) (v) 1
4 8 7
1 1 3 4
3. 40 4. 2 5. 5 6. 14 7. 7 8.
7
1 4 5 1 1
9. 10. 11. 162 12. 13. (i) (ii)
4 13 8 6 12
6 43 1 1 5
14. (i) (ii) 15. 20 marbles 16. (i) (ii) 17.
49 49 3 2 34
9 3 1 1
18. Number of white balls=5 19. 20. 21. (i) (ii)
13 8 2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1
22. (i) (ii) 23. (i) (ii) 24. (a) 5 (b)
4 9 2 6 2

3 3 3 21
25. 26 26. 27. 28. 26 29. 0.25 30. 37%
4 4

2 1 11 5 2 1
31. 32. 33. 34. 6 35. 36.
3 12 36 25 12
1 1 1 5
37. (i) (ii) 38. (i) (ii) 0 (iii) 12
4 9 9
1 2 13 1 3
39. (i) (ii) 40. 41. (i) 6 (ii) 42. , 50 balls
6 9 18 3 10
25 11 2 17 7 7
43. (i) , (ii) 44. (i) (ii) (iii) 45.
36 36 3 24 24 13
1 2 1 81 8
46. (i) (ii) (iii) 47. (i) (ii)
10 5 2 89 89
3 5 4 5 1 5
48. P (not defective) = , P (2nd bulb defective) = 49. (i) (ii) 9 (iii) (iv)
4 23 9 3 18

11 1 48 364 1 3 1 10 3
50. 75 51. , 52. (i) (ii) 53. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
5 59 365 365 49 49 49 49

1 1 1
54. 24 55. (i) (ii) (iii) 1 (iv) 56. (i) 2 (ii) 1 (iii) 5
12 2 6 24 3 5 6
25
57. (i) (ii) 5 58. (i) 9 (ii) 1
36 18 10 5

Probability 441
 SELF-ASSESSMENT TEST
Time allowed: 1 hour Max. marks: 40

Section A
1. Choose and write the correct option in the following questions. (4 × 1 = 4)
(i) Which of the following can be the probability of an event?
18 8
(a) – 0.04 (b) 1.004 (c) (d)
23 7
(ii) A card is selected at random from a well shuffled deck of 52 playing cards. The probability
of its being a face card is
3 4 6 9
(a) (b) (c) (d)
13 13 13 13

(iii) A bag contains 3 red balls, 5 white balls and 7 black balls. What is the probability that a ball
drawn from the bag at random will be neither red nor black?
1 1 7 8
(a) (b) (c) (d)
5 3 15 15

(iv) When a die is thrown, the probability of getting an even number less than 4 is
1 1 1
(a) (b) 0 (c) (d)
4 2 6
2. Fill in the blanks.  (3 × 1 = 3)
(i) The probability of an event that is certain to happen is _______________ and such an event
is called _______________ .
(ii) If the probability of an event is P, the probability of its complementary event will be
_______________ .
(iii) The probability of an impossible event is _______________ .

3. Solve the following questions. (3 × 1 = 3)

(i) In a game, a number is chosen at random from the set 1, 2, 3, ...28, 29, 30. What is the
probability that the number chosen is a product of exactly two different prime numbers?
(ii) What is the probability that an ordinary year has 53 Sundays?
(iii) The probability of getting a bad egg from a lot of 400 eggs is 0.035. What is the number of
bad eggs?

Section B
QQ Solve the following questions. (3 × 2 = 6)
4. Two different dice are rolled simultaneously. Find the probability that the sum of numbers
appearing on the two dice is 10.
5. Two dice are thrown at the same time. Find the probability of getting:
(i) same number on both dice.
(ii) different numbers on both dice.
6. A coin is tossed 2 times. List the possible outcomes. Find the probability of getting:
(i) at least one head. (ii) atmost one head.

442 Xam idea Mathematics–X

QQ Solve the following questions. (3 × 3 = 9)
7. The king, queen and jack of clubs are removed from a deck of 52 cards. The remaining cards
are mixed together and then a card is drawn at random from it. Find the probability of getting
(i) a face card (ii) a card of heart
(iii) a card of clubs
(iv) a queen of diamond
8. A bag contains 15 white and some black balls. If the probability of drawing a black ball from the
bag is thrice that of drawing a white ball, find the number of black balls in the bag.
9. A box contains 20 cards numbered from 1 to 20. A card is drawn at random from the box. Find
the probability that the number on the drawn card is
(i) divisible by 2 or 3. (ii) a prime number.

QQ Solve the following questions. (3 × 5 = 15)

10. Five cards–the ten, jack, queen, king and ace of diamonds, are well shuffled with their faces
downwards. One card is then picked up at random.
(a) What is the probability that the drawn card is the queen?
(b) If the queen is drawn and put aside and a second card is drawn, find the probability that
the second card is (i) an ace (ii) a queen.
11. Cards, on which numbers 1, 2, 3, .........., 100 are written (one number on one card and no
number is repeated) are put in a bag and are mixed thoroughly. A card is drawn at random from
the bag. Find the probability that card taken out has
(i) an even number
(ii) a number which is a multiple of 13
(iii) a perfect square number
(iv) a prime number less than 20
OR

Peter throws two different dice together and finds the product of the two numbers obtained.
Rina throws a die and squares the number obtained. Who has the better chance to get the
number 25?
12. A game of chance consists of spinning an arrow on a circular board, divided into 8 equal
parts, which comes to rest pointing at one of the numbers 1, 2, 3, ..., 8 (Fig. 15.4), which are
equally likely outcomes. What is the probability that the arrow will point at (i) an odd number?
(ii) a number greater than 3? (iii) a number less than 9?

Fig. 15.4

Probability 443
 Answers
1. (i) (c) (ii) (a) (iii) (b) (iv) (d)
2. (i) 1, sure event (ii) 1 – P (iii) zero
7 1
3. (i) (ii) (iii) 14
30 7
1 1 5 3 3
4. 5. (i) (ii) 6. {HH, HT, TH, TT}; (i) (ii)
12 6 6 4 4
9 13 10 1 13 2
7. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 8. 45 9. (i) (ii)
49 49 49 49 20 5
1 1
10. (a) (b) (i) (ii) 0
5 4
1 7 1 2
11. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) OR Rina has a better chance
2 100 10 25
1 5
12. (i) (ii) (iii) 1
2 8
zzz

444 Xam idea Mathematics–X