Carcass wrote:
Xavier, Yvonne, and Zelda each try independently to solve a problem. If their individual probabilities for success are 1/4, 1/2 and 5/8, respectively, what is the probability that Xavier and Yvonne, but not Zelda, will solve the problem?
A. 11/8
B. 7/8
C. 9/64
D. 5/64
E. 3/64
P(Z solves the problem) = 1 - P(Z doesn't solve the problem)
So, 5/8 = 1 - P(Z doesn't solve the problem)
So, P(Z doesn't solve the problem) =
3/8The question asks us to find P(Xavier and Yvonne solve problem, but Zelda does not solve problem)
So, we want: P(X solves problem
AND Y solves problem
AND Z does not solve)
= P(X solves problem)
x P(Y solves problem)
x P(Z does not solve)
= 1/4
x 1/2
x 3/8= 3/64
Answer: E