STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Prepared by: ENGR. CHRISTIAN MADRIGAL PANGANIBAN, M.E.

1. One of the simplest and most efficient measures of central tendency is the mean. It is the value obtained as:
a. as the positional measure of the middlemost value in the distribution
b. summing up the values in the distribution divided by the total number of values
c. by taking the most frequent value in the distribution
d. none of the above.

Ans. b. Mean
Mean => summing up the values in the distribution divided by the total number of values.
Median => as the positional measure of the middlemost value in the distribution.
Mode => the most frequent value in the distribution

2. For the sets of scores 3 , 4 , 5 , 4 , 4 , 6 , 2 , 7 , 1 , 3 , determine the following:

2.1 Arithmetic Mean
a. 3.2 b. 3.5 c. 3.7 d. 3.9

Ans. d. 3.9

Arithmetic Mean =
∑ X' s = 3 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 7 + 1 + 3 = 3.9
n 10
Where: ∑X’s = summation of the values in the distribution
n = total number of values in the distribution

2.2 Median
a. 5 b. 4 c. 3 d. 6

Ans. b. 4

Arranging the data in order (ascending or descending) ;

1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7

4+4
Median = =4
2
2.3 Mode
a. 4 b. 3 c. 5 d. 2

Ans. a. 4
Mode = 4 (by taking the most frequent value in the distribution)

2.4 Mean Deviation

a. -1 b. 0 c. -1 d. -2

Ans. b. 0
Mean Deviation - It is the mean of the distances between each value and the mean. It gives us an idea of how
spread out from the center the set of values is.

Mean Deviation =
∑ ( x − mean )' s = (1 − 3.9) + (2 − 3.9) + 2(3 − 3.9) + 3( 4 − 3.9) + (5 − 3.9) + (6 − 3.9) + (7 − 3.9) = 0
n 10
2.5 Standard Deviation
a. 3.84 b. 4.10 c. 4.76 d. 1.79

Ans. d. 1.79

In statistics and probability theory, standard deviation (represented by the symbol sigma, σ) shows how much
variation or dispersion exists from the average (mean), or expected value. A low standard deviation indicates that the
data points tend to be very close to the mean; high standard deviation indicates that the data points are spread out
over a large range of values.

Using Calculator : σn-1 =1.791957341 => Standard Deviation

 2.6 Variance
a. 3.21 b. 2.65 c. 2.41 d. 2.32

Ans. a. 3.21
2 2 2
Variance = (Standard Deviation) = (σn-1) = (1.791957341) = 3.21

3. Compute the arithmetic Mean of the following set of numbers: 18, 24, 27, 30, 35, 42, 50.
a. 31.82 b. 32.29 c. 30 d. 29.96

Ans. b. 32.29
18 + 24 + 27 + 30 + 35 + 42 + 50
Arithmetic Mean = = 32.29
7
4. Estimate the median of the following set of number: 18 , 24, 27, 30 , 35 , 42 , 50.
a. 31.82 b. 32.29 c. 30 d. 29.96

Ans. c. 30

Median = 30 (the middle most)

Note: the data were arranged already in order (ascending)

5. The method of getting a small part from the population.

a. experiment b. sampling c. data gathering d. inference making

Ans. c. sampling

Sampling = the method of getting a small part from the population

6. A histogram refers to a data representation that:

a. uses bars in representing the frequencies of each class
b. uses connected dots to represent that class marks or frequencies of each interval
c. uses connected dots to plot class boundaries and cumulative frequencies.
d. none of these.

Ans. a. uses bars in representing the frequencies of each class

Sample Histogram (Histogram of Data for Problem # 2)

b. Hollow Histogram
c. Frequency Polygon

7. As a measure of variation, it is computed as the difference between the highest and the lowest value in the distribution.
a. standard deviation b. frequency c. class limits d. range

Ans. d. range

Range = Highest Value – Lowest Value

8. It is a measure of central tendency define as the most frequent score:

 a. range b. mean c. mode d. median

Ans. c. mode

Mode = most frequent value or score in the distribution

9. Find the root mean square of 11, 23, and 35.

a. 25 b. 27 c. 26 d. 24

Ans. c. 25

Root Mean Square (RMS),

In mathematics, the root mean square (abbreviated as RMS or rms), also known as the quadratic mean, is
a statistical measure of the magnitude of a varying quantity. It is especially useful when variates are positive and
negative, e.g., sinusoids. RMS is used in various fields, including electrical engineering; one of the more prominent
uses of RMS is in the field of signal amplifiers.

RMS =
∑ (x 2
)' s
=
112 + 23 2 + 35 2
= 25
n 3

10. Standard deviation of the numbers 1, 4, 7.

a. 3.2 b. 2.47 c. 5.66 d. 3

Ans. d. 3
Using Calculator : σn-1 = 3 => Standard Deviation

11. A poll room has four doors. In how many ways can a voter enter the room through one door and leave the room through a
different door?
a. 8 b. 10 c. 12 d. 14

Ans. c. 12

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF COUNTING OR ENUMERATION (ALSO CALLED AS MULTIPLICATION RULE)

“If some procedure can be performed in n1 different ways, and if, following this procedure, a second procedure can be
performed in n2 different ways, and if, following this second procedure, a third procedure can be performed in n3 different
ways, and so forth; then the number of ways the procedures can be performed in the order indicated is the product
n1xn2xn3 .”

Thus,
Number of ways to enter (first activity or procedure) = 4
Number of ways to leave (second activity or procedure) = 3

Applying the Principle of Enumeration,

Total Number of ways = 4 x 3 = 12 ways

12. How many license plates can be made using two letters for the first two places and any of the numbers 0 through 9 for
the last three?
a. 38,358 b. 35,283 c. 252,000 d. 676,000

Ans. d. 676,000

26 26 10 10 10
choices Choices Choices choices choices
(A to Z) (A to Z) (0 t0 9) (0 to 9) (0 to 9)

LETTERS NUMBERS
Applying the Principle of Enumeration; S

Total number license plates = 26 x 26 x 10 x 10 x 10 = 676,000

13. A PSME unit has 10 ME’s, 8 PME’s and 6 CPM’s. If the committee of 3 members, one from each group is formed, how
may such committee can be formed?
a. 480 b. 320 c. 560 d. 750

Ans. a. 480

Number of choices for first member of committee = 10 (ME’s)

Number of choices for second member of committee = 8 (PME’s)
Number of choices for third member of committee = 6 (CPM’s)

Applying the Principle of Enumeration;

Total numbers of committee can be formed = 10 x 8 x 6 = 480

14. A club has 21 members. In how many ways can a president, a vice president and a secretary be selected from the group
if no member may hold more than one position?
a. 7890 b. 7980 c. 8970 d. 8790

Ans. b. 7980

Number of choices for President = 21

Number of choices for Vice President = 20 (assuming one member was elected as President)
Number of choices for Secretary = 19 (assuming two members were elected as President and Vice President)

Applying the Principle of Enumeration,

Total numbers of ways = 21 x 20 x 19 = 7980 ways

15. In how many ways can a president, a vice president, a secretary and a treasurer be elected from a class with 39 students?
a. 2,654,908 ways b. 1,974,024 ways c. 1,623,172 ways d. 2,481,725 ways

Number of choices for President = 39

Number of choices for Vice President = 38 (assuming one member was elected as President)
Number of choices for Secretary = 37 (assuming two members were elected as President and Vice President)
Number of choices for Treasurer = 36 (assuming three members were elected as President, Vice President and Secretary)

Applying the Principle of Enumeration,

Total number of ways = 39 x 38 x 37 x 36 = 1,974,024 ways

16. How many two digits numbers can be formed from the number 1, 2, 3 & 4 if repetition is not allowed?
a. 8 b.12 c. 16 d. 20
Ans. b. 12
Applying the Principle of Enumeration,
Number of choices for the first digit = 4
Number of choices for the second digit = 3
Thus,
Total number of two digits numbers can be formed = 4 x 3 = 12
n! 4!
By Permutation Formula, n Pr = = = 12
(n − r )! ( 4 − 2)!

17. How many three digit numbers can be formed from the number 1, 2, 3, and 4 if repetition is allowed?
a. 6 b. 12 c. 18 d. 64

Ans. d. 64
Applying the Principle of Enumeration,
Number of choices for the first digit = 4
Number of choices for the second digit = 4
Number of choices for the third digit = 4
Thus,
Total number of two digits numbers can be formed = 4 x 4 x 4 = 64

By Permutation Formula (If repetition is ALLOWED),

 n!
n Pr = => NOT APPLICABLE
(n − r )!
r 3
Use: n Pr = n = 4 = 64

18. How many permutations can be made from the letters a, b, and c taken two at a time?
a. 6 b. 8 c. 18 d. 64

Ans. a. 6
PERMUTATION – is a set of ORDERED arrangement of n distinct things taken r at a time (ORDER IS IMPORTANT)
n!
Formula: n Pr =
(n − r )!

Thus, for prob. #18 a, b, c

n=3;r=2
n! 3!
By Permutation Formula, n Pr = = =6
(n − r )! (3 − 2)!

Or simple use your Scientific Calculator => Look for the nPr key

Input like this, 3P2 result => 6

19. How many permutations can be made from the letters a, b, and c taken three at a time?
a. 3 b. 6 c. 9 d. none of these

Ans. b. 6
Given: a, b, c
n=3;r=3
n! 3! 3! 6
By Permutation Formula, n Pr = = = = =6
(n − r )! (3 − 3)! 0! 1
n! n! n!
Note: When r = n, nPr becomes nPn = = = = n!
(n − n)! (0)! 1

Or simple use your Scientific Calculator => Look for the nPr key

Input like this, 3P3 result => 6

20. How many two digits numbers can be made with the digits 1, 3 and 5 if repetitions are not allowed?
a. 4 b. 6 c. 8 d. 10

Ans. b. 6
Given: 1, 3, 5
n=3;r=2
n! 3! 3! 6
By Permutation Formula, n Pr = = = = =6
(n − r )! (3 − 2)! 1! 1

Or simple use your Scientific Calculator => Look for the nPr key

Input like this, 3P2 result => 6

21. How many two digits numbers can be made with the digits 1, 3 and 5 if repetitions are allowed?
a. 3 b. 6 c. 9 d. 12

Ans. c. 9
Given: 1, 3, 5
n=3;r=2
n!
By Permutation Formula, n Pr = => not applicable
(n − r )!

n Pr = n r
 Use: for repetition is allowed

Thus, n Pr = n r = 3 2 = 9

Or applying the Principle of Enumeration,

Number of choices for the first digit = 3
Number of choices for the second digit = 3
Thus,
Total number of two digits numbers can be formed = 3 x 3 = 9

22. How many three digit even numbers can be formed from the integers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 without repetition?
a. 90 b. 120 c. 764 d. 168

Ans. d. 168
Given: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Where: 2, 4, 6, 8 => even number (total of four choices)

Note: Ones or the units digit determines whether the resulting three-digit number is even or not. If the units
digit is even, the three-digit number is also even number. Thus, start putting or filling up number of choices
from the ones or units digit.

6 choices 7 choices 4 choices

H T O
Where: H is for Hundreds Digit ; T is for Tens Digit ; O is for Ones or Units Digit

Applying the Principle of Enumeration,

Number of choices for the Units digit = 4

Number of choices for the Tens digit = 7
Number of choices for the Hundreds digit = 6

Total number of three-digit even numbers = 4 x 7 x 6 = 168

23. In how many ways can 4 persons be seated in a room where there are 9 seats?
a. 2400 ways b. 3024 ways c. 3940 ways d. 4010 ways

Ans. b. 3024 ways

Given: n = 9 seats ; r = 4 persons
n! 9! 9!
By Permutation Formula, n Pr = = = = 3024
(n − r )! (9 − 4)! 5!

Or simple use your Scientific Calculator => Look for the nPr key

Input like this, 9P4 result => 3024

24. In how many ways can 9 distinct books be arranged in a shelf?

a. 362,880 ways b. 10,080 ways c. 40,320 ways d. 6,720 ways

Ans. a. 362,880 ways

Given: n = 9 books ; r = 9 (to be arranged all in a shelf) => taken 9 at a time
Where n = r
n! n!
By Permutation Formula, nPn = = = n!
(n − n)! (0)!
9!
9P9 = = 9! = 362,880
(9 − 9 )!

Or simple use your Scientific Calculator => Look for the nPr key

Input like this, 9P9 result => 362,880

 PERMUTATIONS WITH REPETITIONS

Frequently we want to know the number of permutations of objects some of which are alike or same. The general formula
follows:

Theorem: The number of permutations of n objects of which n1 are alike, n2 are alike,……..nr are alike is:

݊!
ܲ=
݊ଵ ! ݊ଶ ! … . . ݊௥ !

25. Determine all the possible permutations of the word MISSISSIPPI taking all the letters at the same time.
a. 12, 674 ways b. 27,540 ways c. 34,650 ways d. 57,680 ways

For MISSISSIPPI
n = 11 (total number of letters)
with 4 I’s ; 2 P’s and 4 S’s

11!
Applying the formula: P = = 34,650
4! 2! 4!

26. How many permutations of letters can be formed from the word ENGINEER taken all at one time?
a. 3630 b. 3036 c. 6330 d. 3360

Ans. d. 3360
For ENGINEER
n = 8 (total number of letters)
with 3 E’s ; 2 N’s
8!
Applying the formula: P = = 3360
3! 2!

27. If all the letters are used from the word PHILIPPINES, how many “words” can be formed?
a. 1,108,800 b. 1,801,008 c. 1,180,080 d. 1,081,800

Ans. a. 1,108,800
For PHILIPPINES
n = 11 (total number of letters)
with 3 P’s ; 3 I’s
11!
Applying the formula: P = = 1,108,800
3! 3!

28. How many permutations can be made with the nine letters in the word TENNESSEE?
a. 3460 b. 3260 c. 3780 d. 3820

Ans. c. 3780
For TENNESSEE
n = 9 (total number of letters)
with 4 E’s ; 2 N’s and 2S’s
9!
Applying the formula: P = = 3,780
4! 2! 2!

29. Three copies of Mathematics books, four copies of Machine Design books, and five copies of Thermodynamics books are
covered with covers of different colors for each kind of book. In how many ways can they be placed on a shelf?
a. 10330 ways b. 22170 ways c. 27720 ways d. 32490 ways

Ans. c. 27720 ways

n = 12 (total number of books)
 with 3 Mathematics Books ; 4 Machine Design Books and 5 Thermodynamics Books
12!
Applying the formula: P = = 27,720
3! 4! 5!

30. In how may ways can 3 copies of Carpenter’s Algebra, 5 copies of Leithold’s Calculus and 7 copies of Tan’s
Trigonometry be arranged on a shelf?
a. 120,120 ways b. 240,240 ways c. 360,360 ways d. 480,480 ways

Ans. c. 360,360 ways

n = 15 (total number of books)
with 3 Carpenter’s Algebra ; 5 Leithold’s Calculus and 7 Tan’s Trigonometry
15!
Applying the formula: P = = 360,360
3! 5! 7!

31. Find the number of ways two 10 centavo coins, three 25 centavo coins and five 1 peso coins can be given to 10 children,
if each child gets a coin.
a. 3640 ways b. 2520 ways c. 4830 ways d. 5210 ways

Ans. b. 2520
n = 10 (total number of coins)
with 2 10-centavo coins ; 3 25-centavo coins and 5 1-peso coins
10!
Applying the formula: P = = 2,520
2! 3! 5!

32. In how many ways can 8 students be seated around a circular table?
a. 3960 b. 4800 c. 5040 d. 5210

Ans. c. 5040 ways

CYCLIC PERMUTATION – permutation of n things taken n at a time also known as Circular Permutation

Formula: P = (n − 1)!

thus, for prob. #32

P = (8-1)! = 7! = 5040 ways

33. In how many ways can seven different colored beads be made into a bracelet?
a. 360 ways b. 480 ways c. 540 ways d. 720 ways

Ans. a. 360 ways

P = (n-1)! = (7-1)!/2 = 360 ways

Note: Divided by ‘2’ because the actual scenario can be reversed.

34. In how many ways can 4 Igorots, 6 Badjaos and 5 Tausugs be seated in a row if persons of the same tribe are to be
seated side by side?
a. 15,460,230 b. 12,441,600 c. 10,587,510 d. 9,384,470

Ans. b. 12,441,600
No. of ways = 4! x 6! x 5! x 3! = 12,441,600 ways

Note: 4! is for 4 Igorots

6! is for 6 Badjaos
5! is for 5 Tausugs
3! is for the three groups that will also permute (Igorots, Badjaos, and Tausugs).

35. In how many ways can 3 different calculus books, 6 different algebra books and 4 different geometry books be arranged if
the books of the same subject shall be placed side by side?
a. 622,080 b. 213,450 c. 103,200 d. 328,430

Ans. a. 622,080
No. of ways = 3! x 6! x 4! x 3! = 622,080 ways
 Note: 3! is for 3 Calculus books
6! is for 6 Algebra books
4! is for 5 Geometry books
3! is for the three types of books that will also permute (Calculus, Algebra, and Geometry).

36. Find the number of combinations of the letters a, b, and c taken two at a time?
a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 6

COMBINATION – is a set of arrangement of n distinct things take r at a time WITHOUT REGARD TO ORDER.

Formula: nCr =
n Pr n!
=
r! (n − r )! r!

Thus, for prob. 36

Given: letters a, b, c
n = 3 (total number of letters) ; r = 2 (taken two at a time)
n Pr n! 3!
Applying the formula, nCr = = = =3
r! (n − r )! r! (3 − 2)!2!

Or simple use your Scientific Calculator => Look for the nCr key

Input like this, 3C2 result => 3

37. There are 12 candidates for 3 cadet engineers. How many possible combinations are there?
a. 220 b. 240 c. 200 d. 250

Ans. a. 220
Given: 12 candidates for 3 cadet engineers
n = 12 (total number of candidates) ; r = 3 (taken three at a time for the open positions, )
n Pr n! 12!
Applying the formula, nCr = = = = 220
r! (n − r )! r! (12 − 3)!3!
Or simple use your Scientific Calculator => Look for the nCr key

Input like this, 12C3 result => 220

38. How many line segments are determined by 10 distinct points if a line segment is determined by 2 points?
a. 40 b. 45 c. 50 d. 60

Ans. b. 45
Using Calculator: 10C2 = 45
39. How many triangles are determined by 12 distinct points, no three of which are collinear?
a. 100 b. 110 c. 150 d. 220

Ans. d. 220
Using Calculator: 12C3 = 220

40. How many triangles are determined by the vertices of an octagon?

a. 42 b. 48 c. 56 d. 64

Ans. c. 56
Using Calculator: 8C3 = 56

41. In a licensure examination, an examinee may select 7 problems from a set of 10 questions. In how many ways can he
make his choice?
a. 100 b. 150 c. 50 d. 120

Ans. d. 120
Using Calculator: 10C7 = 120

42. In how many ways can a student answer 6 out of 10 questions if he is required to answer 4 out of the first 5 questions?
a. 20 b. 30 c. 40 d. 50
 Ans. d. 50
Total number of ways = 5C4 x 5C2 = 50

Note: 5C4 => because 4 questions are required to answer out of the first 5 questions
5C2 =>because only 2 questions are required to answer on the last 5 questions in order to answer total of 6
questions out of 10 questions.
5C4 x 5C2=> applying the principle of enumeration (multiplication rule)

43. Ten Nationalist and 8 Liberals will form a committee of 5 composed of 3 Nationalist and 2 Liberals. In how many ways
can the committee be chosen?
a. 3360 b. 3440 c. 4120 d. 4440

Ans. a. 3360
Total number of ways = 10C3 x 8C2 = 3360

44. In how many ways can one select 3 physics books and 5 trigo books from a set of 10 distinct physics books and 8 distinct
trigo books?
a. 6270 b. 6720 c. 7620 d. 7260

Ans. b. 6720
Total number of ways = 10C3 x 8C5 = 6720

45. How many basketball quintets (5 men) can be chosen from a group of 15 players if the captain is one of the five?
a. 1000 b. 1001 c. 1002 d. 1003

Ans. b. 1001
Total number of ways = 14C4 x 1C1 = 1001
Note:
1C1 => because Captain is always one of the five (Captain can also be considered as another group)
14C4 => because out of 15 players, 14 will be taken 4 at a time plus the captain to complete the quintets (5 men)

46. In how many ways can 2 balls be drawn from a box containing 8 red and 5 green balls?
a. 78 b. 84 c. 96 d. 108

Ans. a. 78
Total number of ways = 13C2 = 78

47. In how many ways can 2 balls be drawn from a box containing 8 red and 5 green balls such that one is red and the other
is green?
a. 32 b. 36 c. 40 d. 44

Ans. c. 40
Total number of ways = 8C1 x 5C1 = 40

48. In how many ways can you invite one or more of four friends to a party?
a. 7 b. 12 c. 15 d. 20

Ans. c. 15
No. of ways to invite 1 friend = 4C1 = 4
No. of ways to invite 2 friends = 4C2 = 6
No. of ways to invite 3 friends = 4C3 = 4
No. of ways to invite 4 friends = 4C4 = 1

Total number of ways to invite one or more friends = 4 + 6 + 4 + 1 = 15 ways

Note: ‘AND’ => means ‘MULTIPLY’

‘OR’ => means ‘ADDITION’
n 4
By Formula: No. of ways = 2 -1= 2 -1 = 15 ways

49. In how many ways can you invite one or more of your seven friends in a party?
a. 45 b. 90 c. 108 d. 127
 Ans. d. 127
By Formula: No. of ways = 2n -1= 27 -1 = 127 ways

50. From a box containing 6 red balls, 8 white balls and 10 blue balls, one ball is drawn at random. Determine the probability
that is:

50.1 red
a. 1/4 b. 1/3 c. 1/6 d. 1/2

50.2 not red

a. 4/3 b. 3/4 c. 1/5 d. 1/6

50.3 white
a. 1/6 b. 1/7 c. 1/3 d. 1/8

50.4 red or white

a. 7/13 b. 7/14 c. 7/12 d. 7/9

PROBABILITY – the measure of the likehood of an event to happen

Number of Successful Outcomes
Formula: P =
Total Number of Possible Outcomes

Thus for problem 50,

6R
Given: 8W
10B

6 1
50.1 Pred = = Ans. a. 1/4
24 4

8 10 18 3
50.2 Pnot red = Pwhite + Pblue = + = =
24 24 24 4
1 3
or Pnot red = 1 - Pred = 1 - = Ans. b. 3/4
4 4
8 1
50.3 Pwhite = = Ans. c. 1/3
24 3
1 1 7
50.4 Pred or white = Pred + Pwhite = + = Ans.c. 7/12
4 3 12

51. A bag contains 4 red balls, 3 green balls and 5 blue balls. The probability of not getting a red ball in the first draw is:
a. 2 b. 2/3 c. 1 d. 1/3

Ans. b. 2/3
Given:
4R
3G
5B

3 5 8 2
Pnot red = Pgreen + Pblue = + = =
12 12 12 3
or
4 2
Pnot red = 1 - Pred = 1 - =
12 3
52. Roll a pair of dice one time. What is the probability that the sum of two numbers is 9?
a. 1/36 b. 1/9 c. 1/18 d. 2/9
 Ans. b. 1/9

Note: For every ‘die’, there are 6 possible outcomes (6 faces of a cube)
For a pair of dice, the are 6 x 6 = 36 total number of possible outcomes

Outcomes with SUM of 9: (6, 3) , (3, 6) , (5, 4), (4, 5) => 4 pairs of successful outcomes
4 1
Thus, P = =
36 9

53. In a fair throw of two dice, the probability of obtaining a total of 10 or 12 is:
a. 5/18 b. 1/6 c. 4/9 d. 1/9

Ans. d. 1/9
Outcomes with SUM of 10: (5, 5) , (4, 6) , (6, 4) => 3 pairs of successful outcomes

3 1
Psum 10 = =
36 12

Outcomes with SUM of 12: (6, 6) => 1 pair of successful outcome

1
Psum 12 =
36
Thus,

1 1 1
Psum 10 or sum 12 = Psum 10 + Psum 12 = + =
12 36 9

Note: In probability, “OR” indicates ADDITION => Also know as “mutually exclusive events”
Two or more events are said to be mutually exclusive if it is impossible for more than one of them to happen in a
single trial.

54. In rolling a die, determine the probability of getting an odd or an even number.
a. 1/2 b. 1 c. -1 d. 2

Ans. b. 1
Possible results of a die: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Where: 2, 4, and 6 (even results) ; 1, 3, 5 (odd results)

3 3
Peven = Podd =
6 6
Thus,
3 3
Peven o reven = Peven + Podd = + =1
6 6

55. A card is drawn from an ordinary deck of 52 playing cards, find the probability of getting a diamond card or a spade card.
a. 1/13 b. 2/13 c. 1/4 d. 1/2

Ans. d. 1/2
13 13 1
Pdiamond or spade = Pdiamond + Pspade = + =
52 52 2

56. A card is drawn from an ordinary deck of 52 playing cards, find the probability of getting a red card or a jack.
a. 1/13 b. 2/13 c. 6/13 d. 7/13

Ans. d. 7/13
26 4 − 2 7
Pr ed or jack = Pr ed + Pjack = + =
52 52 13

Note: minus 2 because out of four jacks two are red

57. A card is drawn from an ordinary deck of 52 playing cards, find the probability of getting a queen or a face card.
a. 1/13 b. 2/13 c. 3/13 d. 4/13

Ans. d. 3/13
4 12 − 4 3
Pqueen or face card = Pqueen + Pface card = + =
52 52 13

Note: minus 4 because out of 12 face cards, four are queens

58. In rolling a die, determine the probability of getting an even number or a perfect square.
a. 1/3 b. 2/3 c. 1/4 d. 1/2

Ans. b. 2/3
3 2 −1 2
Peven or perfect square = Peven + Pperfect square = + =
6 6 3
Note: minus 1 because out of two perfect squares (1 & 4), one of them is even

59. An urn contains 5 black balls and 7 white balls. What is the probability of getting 1 black and 1 white ball in two
consecutive draws from the urn?
a. 0.28 b. 0.36 c. 0.53 d. 0.06

Ans. c. 0.53
Given:
5B
7W

In this problem, two cases might happen:

First Case: First ball is black and Second ball is white

5 7 35
Pblack and white = Pblack x Pwhite = x =
12 11 132

Second Case: First ball is white and Second ball is black

7 5 35
Pwhite and black = Pwhite x Pblack = x =
12 11 132
Thus,
35 35
Pfirst case or second case = Pfirst case + Psecond case = + = 0.53
132 132

Note: In probability, “OR” indicates ADDITION, white “AND” indicates MULTIPLICATION.

60. An urn contains 4 black balls and 6 white balls. What is the probability of getting 1 black and 1 white ball in two
consecutive draws from the urn?
a. 0.24 b. 0.27 c. 0.53 d. 0.04

Ans. c. 0.53
Given:
4B
6W

In this problem, two cases might happen (not clearly stated the color of the first ball and the second ball):

First Case: First ball is black and Second ball is white

4 6 4
Pblack and white = Pblack x Pwhite = x =
10 9 15

Second Case: First ball is white and Second ball is black

6 4 4
Pwhite and black = Pwhite x Pblack = x =
10 9 15
 Thus,
4 4
Pfirst case or second case = Pfirst case + Psecond case = + = 0.53
15 15

Note: In probability, “OR” indicates ADDITION, white “AND” indicates MULTIPLICATION.

61. A box contains 3 red balls and 8 green balls. If two balls are drawn in succession without replacement, what is the
probability that that the first ball is red and the second ball is green?
a. 6/55 b. 8/55 c. 11/55 d. 12/55

Ans. d. 12/55
Given:
3R
8G

In this problem, it was clearly stated that first ball is red and the second ball is green

Thus, 3 8 12
Pr ed and green = Pr ed x Pgreen = x =
11 10 55
62. A box contains 3 red balls and 8 green balls. If two balls are drawn in succession without replacement what is the
probability that both are red?
a. 3/55 b. 6/55 c. 9/55 d. 11/55

Ans. a. 3/55
Given:
3R
8G

In this problem, it was clearly stated that both are red (first ball is red and the second ball is also red)

Thus,
3 3 −1 3
Pred and red = Pred x Pred = x =
11 10 55

Note: minus 1 because one red ball is assumed drawn already from the 3 red balls

63. A box contains 6 red balls and 4 blue balls, another box contains 8 red balls and 10 blue balls. If one ball is drawn from
each box, determine the probability that both are red.
a. 2/55 b. 4/15 c. 1/3 d. 2/5

Ans. b. 4/15
Given:
6R 8R
4B 10B

In this problem, it was clearly stated that both are red (first ball drawn from the first box is red and the second ball
drawn from the second box is also red)

Thus,
6 8 4
Pred and red = Pred x Pred = x =
10 18 15

64. A box contains 6 red balls and 4 blue balls, another box contains 8 red balls and 10 blue balls. If one ball is drawn from
each box, determine the probability that both are blue.
a. 1/9 b. 1/3 c. 2/9 d. 5/9
 Ans. c. 2/9
Given:
6R 8R
4B 10B

In this problem, it was clearly stated that both are blue (first ball drawn from the first box is blue and the second ball
drawn from the second box is also blue)

Thus,
4 10 2
Pblue and blue = Pblue x Pblue = x =
10 18 9

65. A box contains 6 red balls and 4 blue balls, another box contains 8 red balls and 10 blue balls. If one ball is drawn from
each box, determine the probability that one is red and the other is blue.
a. 19/45 b. 1/3 c. 23/45 d. 5/9

Ans. c. 23/45
Given:
6R 8R
4B 10B

In this problem, two cases might happen (not clearly stated the color of the first ball and the second ball):

First Case: First ball from the first box is red and Second ball from another box is blue
6 10 1
Pred and blue = Pred x Pblue = x =
10 18 3

Second Case: First ball from the first box is blue and Second ball from another box is red

4 8 8
Pblue and red = Pblue x Pred = x =
10 18 45
Thus,
1 8 23
Pfirst case or second case = Pfirst case + Psecond case = + =
3 45 45

Note: In probability, “OR” indicates ADDITION, white “AND” indicates MULTIPLICATION.

66. A box contains 3 white marbles and 6 green marbles, another urn contains 5 white marbles and 2 green marbles.
Determine the probability that one is green and the other is white.
a. 0.35 b. 0.40 c. 0.52 d. 0.57

Ans. d. 0.57
Given:
3W 5W
6G 2G

In this problem, two cases might happen (not clearly stated the color of the first marble and the second marble):

First Case: First marble from the first box is green and Second ball from another urn is white
6 5 10
Pgreed and white = Pgreen x Pwhite = x =
9 7 21

Second Case: First marble from the first box is white and Second ball from another urn is green

3 2 2
Pwhite and green = Pwhite x Pgreen = x =
9 7 21
Thus,
10 2
Pfirst case or second case = Pfirst case + Psecond case = + = 0.57
21 21
 Note: In probability, “OR” indicates ADDITION, white “AND” indicates MULTIPLICATION.

67. A coin is tossed three times. What is the probability of getting three heads?
a. 1/4 b. 1/8 c. 1/2 d. 1/16

Ans. b. 1/8
BINOMIAL PROBABILITY – probability that an event happens exactly ‘r’ times in ‘n’ trials

Formula: Pb = nCr p r q n − r
where: Pb = binomial probability
p = probability of success
q = probability of failure
for prob. # 67
n = 3 ; r = 3 ; p = 1/2 ; q = 1 – p = 1 – 1/2 = 1/2
3 3-3
Applying the formula: Pb = 3C3(1/2) (1/2) = 1/8

68. A pack of cards contains 52 cards. Three cards are drawn from the pack, each card being returned to the pack before the
next card is drawn. Determine the probability that all will be diamonds.
a. 1/16 b. 1/32 c. 1/64 d. 1/128

Ans. c. 1/64
n = 3 ; r = 3 ; p = 13/52 ; q = 1 – p = 1 – 13/52 = 3/4
3 3-3
Applying the formula: Pb = 3C3(13/52) (3/4) = 1/64

69. What is the probability of getting exactly 3 heads in 5 successive tosses of a coin?
a. 0.3125 b. 0.4812 c. 0.50 d. 0.5423

Ans. a. 0.3125
n = 5 ; r = 3 ; p = 1/2 ; q = 1 – p = 1 – 1/2 = 1/2
3 5-3
Applying the formula: Pb = 5C3(1/2) (1/2) = 0.3125

70. In tossing a die, determine the probability of getting exactly “4” twice in 6 successive trials
a. 0.15 b. 0.20 c. 0.25 d. 0.30

Ans. a. 0.3125
n = 6 ; r = 2 ; p = 1/6 ; q = 1 – p = 1 – 1/6 = 5/6
2 6-2
Applying the formula: Pb = 6C2(1/6) (5/6) = 0.20