Carcass wrote:
A box contains 10 red balls and 30 blue balls. Balls will be pulled out of the box and then put back. It will stop when 2 blue balls have been pulled out of the box. What is the probability of getting at least 1 red ball before stopping?
A. 1/2
B. 2/3
C. 9/16
D. 3/4
E. 7/16
We want P(at least 1 red ball before stopping)
When it comes to probability questions involving
at least, it's best to try using the
complement.
That is, P(Event A happening) = 1 - P(Event A
not happening)
So, here we get: P(at least 1 red ball before stopping) = 1 -
P(NO red balls before stopping)In other words, P(at least 1 red ball before stopping) = 1 -
P(blue balls only)P(blue balls only)P(blue balls only) = P(1st ball is blue
AND 2nd ball is blue)
= P(1st ball is blue)
x P(2nd ball is blue)
= 30/40
x 30/40
= 3/4
x 3/4
=
9/16So, P(at least 1 red ball before stopping) = 1 -
9/16= 7/16
Answer: E
Cheers,
Brent