/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 27 An urn contains 3 red and 7 blac... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

An urn contains 3 red and 7 black balls. Players \(A\) and \(B\) withdraw balls from the urn consecutively until a red ball is selected. Find the probability that \(A\) selects the red ball. \((A\) draws the first ball, then \(B,\) and so on. There is no replacement of the balls drawn.)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The probability that player A selects the red ball is \(P(A) = \frac{519}{720}\).

Step by step solution

01

Understand the players' turns

Player A draws the first ball, then Player B, and this continues until a red ball is selected. The order of turns will be: - A draws first (1st round) - B draws, then A draws (2nd round) - B draws, A draws, B draws, then A draws (3rd round) and so on.
02

Find the probability of A selecting red ball in the first round

Player A's probability of selecting a red ball in the first round is the ratio of the number of red balls to the total number of balls in the urn. In this case, there are 3 red balls and 10 total balls, so the probability is: \( P(R_1) = \frac{3}{10} \)
03

Find the probability of A selecting red ball in the second round

In the second round, Player B draws a ball first, which must be a black ball. Then, player A draws. The probability of this happening is: \( P(R_2) = \frac{7}{10} \times \frac{3}{9} \)
04

Find the probability of A selecting red ball in the third round

In the third round, the sequence of events is: Player B draws a black ball, Player A draws a black ball, Player B draws a black ball, and finally, Player A draws a red ball. The probability of this happening is: \( P(R_3) = \frac{7}{10} \times \frac{6}{9} \times \frac{5}{8} \times \frac{3}{7} \)
05

Probabilities for further rounds approach zero

Considering that there are only 3 red balls, it's not possible to have further rounds. After the third round, there will be only 2 black balls and 2 red balls left. So there's no chance for another full round without a red ball being picked.
06

Sum the probabilities of all rounds

Now that we have the probabilities of Player A picking a red ball in each round, we can sum them up to get the total probability: \( P(A) = P(R_1) + P(R_2) + P(R_3) \) \( P(A) = \frac{3}{10} + \frac{7}{10} \times \frac{3}{9} + \frac{7}{10} \times \frac{6}{9} \times \frac{5}{8} \times \frac{3}{7} \) Now calculate the sum:
07

Calculate the total probability

\( P(A) = \frac{3}{10} + \frac{7 \times 3}{10 \times 9} + \frac{7 \times 6 \times 5 \times 3}{10 \times 9 \times 8 \times 7} \) Simplify the expression: \( P(A) = \frac{3}{10} + \frac{21}{90} + \frac{135}{720} \) Convert all fractions to the common denominator 720: \( P(A) = \frac{216}{720} + \frac{168}{720} + \frac{135}{720} \) Add the fractions: \( P(A) = \frac{216 + 168 + 135}{720} \) \( P(A) = \frac{519}{720} \) So the probability that player A selects the red ball is: \(P(A) = \frac{519}{720} \)

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Conditional Probability
When we discuss the concept of conditional probability, we're talking about the likelihood of an event occurring given that another event has already taken place. In the context of our exercise, we see conditional probability at play when Player A gets the chance to draw a ball, based on whether or not Player B has already drawn a black ball.

For example, if we want to calculate the probability that Player A will draw a red ball in the second round (denoted as \(P(R_2)\)), we must first acknowledge that Player B did not draw a red ball in their first try. To do this, we multiply the probability of Player B drawing a black ball by the probability of Player A drawing a red ball from the remaining balls. This gives us \( P(R_2) = \frac{7}{10} \times \frac{3}{9} \), where \( \frac{7}{10} \) is the probability of Player B drawing a black ball and \( \frac{3}{9} \) is the conditional probability of Player A drawing a red ball afterward.

Understanding conditional probability helps us systematically approach problems that involve a sequence of dependent events, as one event influences the occurrence of the next.
Probability Without Replacement
Probability without replacement is a key concept that applies to scenarios where each item is not returned to the pool after selection. This affects subsequent probabilities since the composition of the pool changes with each draw. In our exercise, balls are drawn from an urn and not replaced, meaning the total number of balls decreases after each draw.

To illustrate, when Player A draws a ball, there are originally 10 balls in the urn. If the first ball is not red, then for the next round the urn will only have 9 balls (assuming the first was black and not replaced). This is why the probability of drawing a red ball in the second round for Player A is different from the first round:\[ P(R_2) = \frac{7}{10} \times \frac{3}{9} \]. The factor \( \frac{7}{10} \) represents the first draw by Player B and \( \frac{3}{9} \) reflects Player A's draw after a black ball has been eliminated.

This concept allows us to understand the dynamic nature of probabilities in situations where events are interconnected and the chances of future outcomes change as a result of previous actions.
Sequence of Events in Probability
In probability, understanding the sequence of events is crucial, especially when the outcome of one event affects the next. This sequence helps us build complex probability models from simple, sequential steps. The urn problem showcases this beautifully as it involves multiple rounds of drawing balls where each draw affects the subsequent draws.

Our attention is mostly on Player A's chances of drawing a red ball during their turns. We calculate the probability of Player A drawing a red ball in the first round as \( P(R_1) = \frac{3}{10} \), which is straightforward. Yet as we move to subsequent rounds, we have to consider the results of the previous rounds—specifically, the fact that black balls are being removed without replacement.

For example, in the third round's sequence: Player B draws a black ball, Player A draws a black ball, Player B draws another black ball, and finally Player A draws a red ball. The probability is a product of each distinct event: \( P(R_3) = \frac{7}{10} \times \frac{6}{9} \times \frac{5}{8} \times \frac{3}{7} \). By analyzing the sequence step by step, we ensure a clearer understanding and accurate calculation of the compounded probability.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

A certain town with a population of 100,000 has 3 newspapers: I, II, and III. The proportions of townspeople who read these papers are as follows: I: 10 percent I and II: 8 percent I and II and III: 1 percent II: 30 percent I and III: 2 percent III: 5 percent II and III: 4 percent (The list tells us, for instance, that 8000 people read newspapers I and II.) (a) Find the number of people who read only one newspaper. \(\begin{array}{llllllll}\text { (b) How } & \text { many } & \text { people } & \text { read } & \text { at } & \text { least } & \text { two }\end{array}\) newspapers? (c) If I and III are morning papers and III is an evening paper, how many people read at least one morning paper plus an evening paper? \(\begin{array}{lllllll}\text { (d) } & \text { How } & \text { many } & \text { people } & \text { do } & \text { not } & \text { read } & \text { any }\end{array}\) newspapers? (e) How many people read only one morning paper and one evening paper?

Five people, designated as \(A, B, C, D, E,\) are arranged in linear order. Assuming that each possible order is equally likely, what is the probability that (a) there is exactly one person between \(A\) and \(B ?\) (b) there are exactly two people between \(A\) and \(B\) ? (c) there are three people between \(A\) and \(B ?\)

Two cards are randomly selected from an ordinary playing deck. What is the probability that they form a blackjack? That is, what is the probability that one of the cards is an ace and the other one is either a ten, a jack, a queen, or a king?

A small community organization consists of 20 families, of which 4 have one child, 8 have two children, 5 have three children, 2 have four children, and 1 has five children. (a) If one of these families is chosen at random, what is the probability it has \(i\) children, \(i=\) \(1,2,3,4,5 ?\) (b) If one of the children is randomly chosen, what is the probability that child comes from a family having \(i\) children, \(i=1,2,3,4,5 ?\)

In a hand of bridge, find the probability that you have 5 spades and your partner has the remaining \(8 .\)

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Math Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.