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Refer to the following experiment: Urn A contains four white and six black balls. Urn B contains three white and five black balls. A ball is drawn from urn A and then transferred to urn B. A ball is then drawn from urn B. What is the probability that the transferred ball was black given that the second ball drawn was black?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The probability that the transferred ball was black given that the second ball drawn was black is approximately 0.6 or 60%.

Step by step solution

01

Define the events

Let's define the following events: - Event A: a black ball is drawn from urn A - Event B: a black ball is drawn from urn B after the transfer We want to find the probability of event A occurring, given that event B has occurred. Mathematically, this is expressed as P(A|B).
02

Calculate the probabilities of the individual events

First, let's find the probability of drawing a black ball from urn A (event A): P(A) = (number of black balls in urn A) / (total number of balls in urn A) P(A) = 6 / 10 Next, let's find the probability of drawing a black ball from urn B after transferring a black ball from urn A (event B): P(B|A) = (number of black balls in urn B after the transfer) / (total number of balls in urn B after the transfer) P(B|A) = 6 / 9 Note that we added a black ball to urn B from urn A in the event A.
03

Apply the multiplication rule for probabilities

According to the multiplication rule for probabilities, P(A and B) = P(A) * P(B|A). Substitute the values we found in step 2: P(A and B) = (6/10) * (6/9)
04

Calculate the probability of event B

To find the probability of event B (black ball drawn from urn B), we need to consider both possibilities for scenario A, that's when a black ball is drawn from urn A (event A) or when a white ball is drawn from urn A (denoted as A'): P(B) = P(A) * P(B|A) + P(A') * P(B|A') We already calculated P(A) * P(B|A) in step 3. Now let's calculate P(A') * P(B|A'): P(A') = (number of white balls in urn A) / (total number of balls in urn A) P(A') = 4 / 10 P(B|A') = (number of black balls in urn B after transferring the white ball) / (total number of balls in urn B after the transfer) P(B|A') = 5 / 9 Now, let's plug the values into the P(B) equation: P(B) = (6/10) * (6/9) + (4/10) * (5/9)
05

Calculate the conditional probability P(A|B)

Now that we have calculated P(A and B) and P(B), we can find the conditional probability P(A|B) using the formula: P(A|B) = P(A and B) / P(B) Substitute the values we found in steps 3 and 4: P(A|B) = ((6/10) * (6/9)) / ((6/10) * (6/9) + (4/10) * (5/9)) Compute the final probability: P(A|B) ≈ 0.6 So, the probability that the transferred ball was black given that the second ball drawn was black is approximately 0.6 or 60%.

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Key Concepts

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

Understanding Probability Theory
Probability theory is a fundamental aspect of mathematics that deals with the study of random events. The probability of an event is a measure of the likelihood that the event will occur. It is expressed as a number between 0 and 1, where 0 indicates impossibility and 1 indicates certainty.

The exercise provided illustrates the power of probability theory in action. We're given two urns, A and B, with different numbers of white and black balls. We need to calculate the probability of a specific event occurring — drawing a black ball from urn B after transferring a random ball from urn A.

To understand this, let's take it step by step. We first define our events, calculate individual probabilities for each event, and apply the multiplication rule for probabilities to combine them. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Each step in the process requires attention to detail and a thorough understanding of probability theory's principles.
Breaking Down Bayes' Theorem
Bayes' theorem is a powerful tool in probability theory, which allows us to update our probability estimates as new information is provided. It's particularly useful in conditional probability, where we want to calculate the probability of an event, given that another event has occurred.

In our textbook exercise, Bayes' theorem helps us deduce the probability that the ball transferred from urn A is black given that the ball drawn from urn B is black. Symbolically, we're looking for P(A|B), the probability of event A given B. To achieve this, we need both the likelihood of picking a black ball from urn A, P(A), and how probable it is to draw a black ball from urn B after transferring one from urn A, P(B|A).

Through Bayes' theorem, we combine these probabilities and derive a different perspective on the exercise's outcome. This theorem not only demonstrates the interconnectedness of probability events but also teaches us the importance of revising assumptions in the light of additional evidence.
Applying the Multiplication Rule for Probabilities
The multiplication rule for probabilities is a fundamental concept which states that the probability of two independent events both occurring is the product of their individual probabilities. That is, P(A and B) = P(A) * P(B|A) if events A and B are independent.

However, this rule can be extended to sequential events, which is the case in our urn problem. We are dealing with probabilities that are contingent upon previous outcomes. When we talk about P(A and B), we mean the joint probability that both A and B occur, which in our case translates to drawing a black ball from urn A and then a black ball from urn B, accounting for the transfer.

By methodically calculating individual probabilities and applying the multiplication rule, we can piece together a complete picture that represents a complex sequence of events. This can sometimes be counterintuitive because our intuition might not always reflect the subtleties of conditional dependencies.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Propuct Reuasiumr The proprietor of Cunningham's Hardware Store has decided to install floodlights on the premises as a measure against vandalism and theft. If the probability is \(.01\) that a certain brand of floodlight will burn out within a year, find the minimum number of floodlights that must be installed to ensure that the probability that at least one of them will remain functional for the whole year is at least .99999. (Assume that the floodlights operate independently.)

In a home theater system, the probability that the video components need repair within I \(\mathrm{yr}\) is \(.01\), the probability that the electronic components need repair within I yr is \(.005\), and the probability that the audio components need repair within I yr is \(.001\). Assuming that the events are independent, find the probability that a. At least one of these components will need repair within 1 yr. b. Exactly one of these components will need repair within 1 vr.

Five black balls and four white balls are placed in an urn. Two balls are then drawn in succession. What is the probability that the second ball drawn is a white ball if a. The second ball is drawn without replacing the first? b. The first ball is replaced before the second is drawn?

Determine whether the statement is true or false. If it is true, explain why it is true. If it is false, give an example to show why it is false. If \(A\) and \(B\) are mutually exclusive and \(P(B) \neq 0\), then \(P(A \mid B)=0 .\)

In a survey of 1000 eligible voters selected at random, it was found that 80 had a college degree. Additionally, it was found that \(80 \%\) of those who had a college degree voted in the last presidential election, whereas \(55 \%\) of the people who did not have a college degree voted in the last presidential election. Assuming that the poll is representative of all eligible voters, find the probability that an eligible voter selected at random a. Had a college degree and voted in the last presidential election. b. Did not have a college degree and did not vote in the last presidential election. c. Voted in the last presidential election. d. Did not vote in the last presidential election.

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