SOLVED EXAMPLES

Q 1. LetE1 and E2 two events such that P(E1) = 4/7 and P(E2) = 1/4. Find (i) P(E1 or E2), if E1 and E2
are mutually exclusive events (ii) P(E1 and E2), if E1 and E2 on independent events.

1.

Q 2. Let E1 and E2 be events such that P(E1)= 0.3, P(E1  E2) = 0.4 and P(E2) = x. Find the value of
x such that (i) E1 and E2 are mutually exclusive (ii) E1 and E2 are independent.

2.

Q 3. If E1 and E2 are two independent events such that P(E1) = 0.35 and P(E1  E2) = 0.60, find
P(E2). [CBSE 2003C]

3.

Q 4. A coin is tossed thrice. Let the event E be 'the first throw results in a Head', and the event P be
‘the last throw results in a tail' Find, whether the events E and F are independent. [CBSE 1997]

4. and

Q 5. An unbiased die is tossed twice. Find the probability of getting a 4, 5 or 6 on the first toss and a
1, 2, 3 or 4 on the second toss.

5.

Q 6. Amit and Nisha appear for an interview for two vacancies in a company, The probability of
Amit's selection is 1/5 and that of Nisha's selection is 1/6. What is the probability that (i) both
of them are selected? (ii) only one of them is selected? (iii) none of them is selected?

6. (i) (ii) (iii)

Q 7. Ramesh appears for an interview for two posts, A and B, for which the selection is
independent. The probability for his selection for Post A is (1/6) and for Post B, it is (1/7). Find
the probability that Ramesh is selected for at least one post. [CBSE 2001]

7.

Q 8. A can solve 90% of the problems given in a book, and B can solve 70%. What is the
probability that at least one of them will solve a problem selected at random from the book?

8.

Q 9. The probability that A hits a target is (1 /3) and the probability that B hits it is (2/5). What is
the probability that the target mill be hit if both A and B shoot at it?

9.

Q 10. A speaks the truth in 60% of the cases, and B in 90% of the cases. In what percentage of cases
are they likely to contradict each other in stating the same fact ? [CBSE 2001]
10. 42%
Q 11. The probabilities of a specific problem being solved independently by A and B are 1/2 and 1/3
respectively. If both try to solve the problem independently, find the probability that
(i) the problem is solved (ii) exactly one of them solves the problem. [CBSE 2011]

11. (i) (ii)

Q 12. A and B appear for an interview for two posts. The probability of A's selection is (1 /3) and
that of B's selection is (2/5). Find the probability that only one of them will be selected.
[CBSE 1997C]

12.

Q 13. Three groups of children contain 3 girls and 1 boy; 2 girls and 2 boys; and 1 girl and 3 hoys.
One child is selected at random from each group. Find the chance that the three children
selected comprise 1 girl and 2 boys. [CBSE 2007]

13.

Q 14. A problem is given to three students whose chances of solving it are 1/3, 2/7 and 3/8. What is
the probability that the problem will be solved?

14.

Q 15. A problem in mathematics is given to three students whose chances of solving it correctly are
1/2, 1/3 and 1/4 respectively. What is the probability that only one of them solves it correctly?
[CBSE 1999C]

15.

Q 16. Three critics review a book. For the three critics, the odds in favour of the book are (5 : 2), (4 :
3) and (3:4) respectively. Find the probability that the majority is in favour of the book.

16.

Q 17. The odds against a man who is 45 years old, living till he is 70 are 7 : 5, and the odds against
his wife who is now 36, living till she is 61 arc 5 : 3. Find the probability that (i) the couple
will be alive 25 years hence (ii) at least one of them will be alive 25 years hence. [CBSE 2007]

17.

Q 18. A, B and C shoot to hit a target. If A hits the target 4 times in 5 trials; B hits it 3 times in 4
trials and C hits it 2 times in 3 trials, what is the probability that the target is hit by at least 2
persons?

18.

Q 19. Two persons A and B throw a coin alternately till one of them gets a 'head' and wins the game
Find their respective probabilities of winning if A starts first.

19.
Q 20. A and B throw a die alternately till one of them gets a 6 and wins the game. Find their
respective probabilities of winning if A starts first. [CBSE 2003]

20.

Q 21. Three persons A, B, C throw a die in succession till one gets a 'six' and wins the game. Find
their respective probabilities of winning.

21.

EXERCISE 1A
Q 1. If P(A) = 1/3 and P(B) = 3/5, find
(i) P(A or B), when A and B are mutually exclusive events
(ii) P(A and B), when A and B are independent events.
Q 2. If A and B are independent events such that P(A) = 0.3 and P(B) = 0.4, find
(i) P(A and B) (ii) P(A or B) (iii) P( and B)
(iv) P(A and ) (v) P( and B).
Q 3. If A and B are two events such that P(A) = 1/4, P(B) = 1/3 and P(A  B) = 1/2, show that A
and B are independent events.
Q 4. Let A and B be events-such that P(A) = 1/2, P(B) = 7/12 and P (not A or not B) = 1/4. State
whether A and B are (i) mutually exclusive (ii) independent.
Q 5. Kamal and Vimal appeared for an interview for two vacancies. The probability of Kamal's
selection is 1/3 and that of Vimal's selection is 1/5. Find the probability that only one of them
will be selected.
Q 6. Arun and Ved appeared for an interview for two vacancies. The probability of Arun's selection
is 1/4 and that of Ved's rejection is 2/3. Find the probability that at least one of them will be
selected.
Q 7. Giver the probability that A can solve a problem is 2/3, and the probability that B can solve the
same problem is 3/5, find the probability that
(i) at least one of A and B will solve the problem (ii) none of the two will solve the problem.
Q 8. A and B appear for an interview for two vacancies in the same post. The probability of A's
selection is 1/6 and that of B's selection is 1/4. Find the probability that (i) both of them are
selected (ii) only one of them, is selected (iii) none is selected (iv) at least one of them is
selected.
Q 9. An article manufactured by a company consists of two parts X and Y. In the process of
manufacture of part X, 8 out of 100 parts may be defective. Similarly 5 out of 100 parts of Y
may be defective. Calculate the probability that the assembled product will not be defective.
Q 10. A town has two fire-extinguishing engines, functioning independently. The probability of
availability of each engine when needed is 0.95. What is the probability that
(i) neither of them is available when needed? (ii) an engine is available when needed?
Q 11. A can hit a target 4 times in 5 shots, B can hit 3 times in shots, and C can hit 2 times in 3 shots.
Calculate the probability that
(i) A, B and C all hit the target
 (ii) B and C hit and A does not hit the target.
Q 12. Let S1 and S2 be two switches and let their probabilities of working be given by P(S1) = 4/5 and
P(S2) = 9/10. Find the probability that the current flows from the terminal A to terminal B
when S1 and S2 are installed in series, shown as follows:

Q 13. A problem is given to three students whose chances of solving it are 1/4, 1/5 and 1/6
respectively. Find the probability that the problem is solved.
Q 14. The probabilities of A, B, C solving a problem are 1/3, 1/4 and 1/6 respectively. Tf all the three
try to solve the problem simultaneously, find the probability that exactly one of them will solve
it.
Q 15. In an examination, Manoj estimates that the probabilities of his receiving grade A in Hindi,
English and mathematics are respectively 0.3, 0.2 and 0.8. Find the probability of his getting
(i) all A grades (ii) no A grade (iii) exactly 2 A grades.
Q 16. A machine operates only when all of its three components function. The probabilities of the
failures of the first, second and third components are 0.14, 0.10 and 0.05 respectively. What is
the probability that the machine will fail? [CBSE 2005C]
Q 17. An anti-aircraft gun can take a maximum of 4 shots at an enemy plane moving away from it.
The probabilities of hitting the plane at the first, second, third and fourth shots are 0.4, 0.3, 0.2
and 0.1 respectively. What is the probability that at least one shot hits the plane?
Q 18. A doctor claims that 60% of the patients examined by him are allergic to dust. What is the
probability that
(i) exactly 3 of his next 4 patients will be allergic to dust?
(ii) none of his next 4 patients will be allergic to dust?
Q 19. Let S1 and S2 be two switches and let their probabilities of working be given by P(S1) = 2/3 and
P(S2) = 3/4. Find the probability that the current flows from terminal A to terminal B, when S1
and S2 are installed in parallel, as shown below:

Q 20. An electric system has three switches S1, S2 and S3 as shown below :

The switches operate independent of one another, and the current will flow from A to B either
when S1 is dosed or when both S2 and S3 are closed. If their probabilities of working be given
by P(S1) = P(S2) = P(S3) = 1/2, find the probability that the current flows from A to B.
Q 21. The probability that a certain team wins is 0.7, that it loses is 0.2 and that it has a tie is 0.1. The
team plays three games. Find the probability that the team wins at least two of the games, but
does not lose any.
Q 22. The probabilities that a student will receive A, B, C and D grades are 0.4, 0.35, 0.15 and 0.1
respectively. Find the probability that a student will receive
(i) a grade other than A (ii) a B or a C grade (iii) at least a B grade (iv) at most a C grade.
Q 23. Neelam has offered physics, chemistry and mathematics in Class XII, She estimates that her
probabilities of receiving a grade A in these courses are 0.2, 0.3 and 0.9 respectively. Find the
probabilities that Neelam receives
(i) all A grades (ii) no A grade (iii) exactly 2 A grades.
Q 24. A die has two faces, each marked '1', three faces, each marked '2', and one face marked '3'. If
the die is rolled once, determine
(i) P(2) (ii) P(not 3) (iii) P(1 or 3).
Q 25. E1 and E2 are two independent events. The probabilities of an error of judgement by a person
regarding E1 and E2 are 0.02 and 0.05 respectively. find the probability that the person will take
the correct derision regarding (i) both the events (ii) only one event.
Q 26. From the employees of a company, 5 persons are elected to represent them in the managing
committee of the company. These are 3 males of ages 30 years, 32 years and 40 years, and 2
females of ages 42 years and 27 years. A person is selected at random from the group to act as
a spokesperson. What is the probability that the spokesperson will be either a male or over 35
years?
Q 27. A clerk was asked to mail three report cards to three students. He addresses three envelopes but
unfortunately pays no attention regarding which report card he puts in which envelope. What is
the probability that exactly one of the students received his or her own card?
Q 28. A coin is tossed. If a head comes up, a die is thrown but if a tail comes up, the coin is tossed
again. Find the probability of obtaining
(i) two tails (ii) a head and the number 6 (iii) ahead and an even number.

ANSWERS (EXERCISE 1A)

1. (i) (ii) 2. (i) 0.12 (ii) 0.58 (iii) 0.28 (iv) 0.18 (v) 0.42

4. (i) No (ii) No 5. 6. 7. (i) (ii) 8. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 9.

10. (i) 0.0025 (ii) 0.095 11. (i) (ii) 12. 13. 14.

15. (i) 0.048 (ii) 0.112 (iii) 0.316 16. 0.2647 17. 0.6976 18. (i) (ii) 19.

20. 21. 0.147 22. (i) 0.6 (ii) 0.50 (iii) 0.75 (iv) 0.25 23. (i) 0.054 (ii) 0.056 (iii) 0.348
 24. (i) (ii) (iii) 25. (i) 0.931 (ii) 0.06826. 27. 28. (i) (ii)

(iii)

SOLVED EXAMPLES
Q 1. For two events A and B, P(A) = 0.5, P(B) = 0.6 and P(A  B) = 0.8. Find (i) P(A/B)
(ii)P(B/A).
1. (i) 0.5, (ii) 0.6
Q 2. Let A and B be events such that

P(A)= P(B)= and P(A  B) = . Find (i) P(A/B) (ii) P(B/A) (iii) P(A  B) (iv)

2. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

Q 3. If A and B are events such that P(A) = 0.4, P(B) = 0.8 and P(B/A) = 0.6, find(i) P(A  B) (ii)
P(A  B) (iii) P(A/B).
3. 0.3
Q 4. If A and B are two events associated with a random experiment such that P(B) = 0.35, P(A or
B) = 0.85 and P(A and B) = 0.15, find P(A). [CBSE 1998C]
4. 0.65
Q 5. A die is rolled. If the outcome is an odd number, what is the probability that it is prime?

5.

Q 6. 12 cards numbered 1 to 12, are placed in a box, mixed up thoroughly and then a card is drawn
at random from the box. If it is known that the number on the card is more than 3, find the
probability that it is an even number. [CBSE 2008]

6.

Q 7. Three fair coins are tossed. Find the probability that the outcomes are all tails if one of the
coins shows a tail.

7.

Q 8. A coin is tossed twice and four possible outcomes are assumed to be equally likely. If A is the
event that 'both head and tail have appeared' and B is the event that 'at most one tail has
appeared', find
(i) P(A) (ii) P(B) (iii) P(A/B) (iv) P(B/A).

8. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 1

Q 9. A die is rolled twice and the sum of the numbers appearing is observed to be 7. What is the
conditional probability that the number 2 has appeared at least once?

9.
Q 10. Two unbiased dice are thrown. Find the probability that the sum is 8 or greater if 4 appears on
the first die.

10.

Q 11. A die is thrown twice and the sum of the numbers appearing is observed to be 8. What is the
conditional probability that the number 5 has appeared at least once? [CBSE 2000, '03]

11.

Q 12. In a class, 40% students study mathematics; 25% study biology and 15% study both
mathematics and biology. One student is selected at random. Find the probability that
(i) he studies mathematics if it is known that he studies biology
(ii) he studies biology if it is known that he studies mathematics.

12. (i) (ii)

Q 13. A ample has 2 children, Find the probability that both are boys if it is known that
(i) one of the children is a boy, and (ii) the elder child is a boy. [CBSE 2008C]

13. (i) (ii)

Q 14. Two numbers are selected at random from the integers 1 through 9. If the sum is even, find the
probability that both the numbers are odd.

14.

Exercise 1B
Q 1. Let A and B be events such that

P(A) = P(B) = and P(A  B) =

Find (i) P(A/B) (ii) P(B/A) (iii) P(A  B) (iv) P( ).

Q 2. Let A and B be events such that

P(A) = , P(B) = and P(A  B) =

Find (i) P n B) (ii) P(A/B) (iii) P(B/A) (iv) P( ).

Q 3. Let A and B be events such that
P(A) = 0.3, P(B) = 0.5 and P(B/A) = 0.4. Find (i) P(A  B) (ii) P(A  B) (iii) P(A/B).
Q 4. Let A and B be events such that

2P(A) = P(B) = , and P(A/B) = .

Find P(A  B).

Q 5. A die is rolled. If the outcome is an even number, what is the probability that it is a number
greater than 2?
Q 6. A pair of fair dice is thrown. Find the probability that the sum is 10 or greater if 5 appears on
the first die.
Q 7. A pair of dice is thrown. If the two numbers appearing on them are different, find the
probability that
(i) the sum of the numbers is 6 (ii) the sum of the numbers is 4 or less.
Q 8. A coin is tossed and then a die is thrown. Find the probability of obtaining a 4, it being given
that 3 head came up.
Q 9. Two coins are tossed. What is the probability of getting 2 heads if it is known that at least one
head comes up?
Q 10. Three coins are tossed. Find the probability that all coins show heads if a( least one of the coins
shows a head.
Q 11. A die is thrown twice and the sum of the numbers appearing is observed to be 8. What is the
conditional probability that the number 5 has appeared at least once? [CBSE 2003C]
Q 12. Two dice were thrown and it is known that the numbers which come up were different. Find
the probability that the sum of the two numbers was 5.
Q 13. The probability that a student selected at random from a class will pass in Hindi is 4/5 and the
probability that he passes in Hindi and English if 1/2. What is the probability that he will pass
in English if it is known that he has passed in Hindi?
Q 14. A coin is tossed and then a die is thrown. Find the probability of obtaining a 6, given that a
head came up.
Q 15. The probability that a certain person will buy a blurt is 0.2, the probability that he will buy a
coat is 0.3 and the probability that he will buy a shirt given that he buys a coat is 0.4. Find the
probability that he will buy both a shirt and a coat.
Q 16. There is a box containing 30 bulbs of which 5 are defective. If 2 bulbs are chosen at random
from the box in succession without replacing the first, what is the probability that both the bubs
are defective?
Q 17. A card is drawn from a well-shuffled deck of 52 cards and without replacing this card, a
second card is drawn. Find the probability that the first card is a club and the second card is a
spade.
Q 18. Two coins are tossed. What is the probability of coming up of two heads if it is known that at
least one head comes up?
Q 19. Two marbles are drawn successively from a box containing 3 black and 4 white marbles. Find
the probability that both the marbles are black, if the first marble is not replaced before the
second drawing.
Q 20. A bag contains 10 white and 15 black balls Two balls are drawn, in succession without
replacement. What is the probability that the first is white and the second is black?
Q 21. An urn contains 5 white and S black balls. Two successive drawings of three balls at a time are
made such that the balls are not replaced before the second draw. Find the probability that the
first draw gives 3 white balls and the second draw gives 3 black balls.
Q 22. A hag contains 17 tickets, numbered from 1 to 17. A ticket is drawn and then another ticket is
drawn without replacing the first one. Find the probability that both the tickets may show even
numbers.
Q 23. Two integers are selected at random from integers 1 through 11. If the sum. is even, find the
probability that both the numbers selected are odd.
Answers

1. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 2. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 3. (i) 0.12

(ii) 0.68 (iii) 0.24

4. 5. 6. 7. (i) (ii) 8. 9.

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 0.12

16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.