/*! 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 29 You select a family with three c... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

You select a family with three children. If \(M\) represents a male child and \(F\) a female child, the set of equally likely outcomes for the children's genders is \\{MMM, MMF, MFM, \(M F F, F M M, F M F, F F M, F F F\\}\). Find the probability of selecting a family with exactly two male children.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The probability of selecting a family with exactly two male children is \(\frac{3}{8}\).

Step by step solution

01

Identify Possible Outcomes

Firstly, list down all possible outcomes when a family has three children. According to the problem these are \[\{MMM, MMF, MFM, MFF, FMM, FMF, FFM, FFF\}\]
02

Identify Favorable Outcomes

Next, identify the outcomes where the family has exactly two male children. These are \[\{MMF, MFM, FMM\}\]
03

Compute Probability

Calculate the probability by dividing the number of favorable outcomes by the number of total possible outcomes. The total possible outcomes are 8 and favorable outcomes are 3, so the required probability is \(\frac{3}{8}\)

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.

Combinatorics
Combinatorics is a branch of mathematics that deals with counting, arrangement, and combination of objects. It helps us determine how many ways things can happen. In our exercise, we need to enumerate possible outcomes when considering different cases, like gender combinations in a family of three children.
  • First, we list all possible outcomes of the genders: - Male Male Male (MMM) - Male Male Female (MMF) - Male Female Male (MFM) - Male Female Female (MFF) - Female Male Male (FMM) - Female Male Female (FMF) - Female Female Male (FFM) - Female Female Female (FFF)
Each sequence is unique, and all possible combinations need to be considered. Combinatorics simplifies this process by providing strategies to account for every possibility. With practice, combinatorics becomes easier and helps solve complex probability problems efficiently.
Gender selection
Gender selection in probability exercises refers to determining the likelihood of specific gender combinations in a family or group. It involves identifying all possible gender configuration outcomes. In our exercise, we focused on a family with three children and wanted a group with exactly two male children.
  • We need to count the variations where there are two males: - Male Male Female (MMF) - Male Female Male (MFM) - Female Male Male (FMM)
These are the 'favorable' outcomes for the problem. When conducting gender selection calculations, one should pay close attention to the gender combination criteria. The ability to discern these criteria quickly is key to mastering probability problems.
Mathematical outcomes
Mathematical outcomes in probability are different possibilities that can occur in a given scenario. Understanding these outcomes is crucial in finding solutions to probability problems. Here, we calculated the chances of picking the family configuration with two male children from the total set of possible gender configurations.
  • We identified 8 total possible outcomes (as listed before).
  • We identified 3 favorable outcomes (only those with two male children).
  • We then calculated the probability of our desired outcome: - Probability = (Number of Favorable Outcomes) / (Total Number of Outcomes) - Probability = \(\frac{3}{8}\)
This calculation summarizes how mathematical outcomes effectively lead to the probability of events. By understanding total versus favorable outcomes, probability becomes a clear, intuitive process.

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

Describe a situation in which a business can use expected value.

We return to our box of chocolates. There are 30 chocolates in the box, all identically shaped. Five are filled with coconut, 10 with caramel, and 15 are solid chocolate. You randomly select one piece, eat it, and then select a second piece. Find the probability of selecting a coconut-filled chocolate followed by a caramel-filled chocolate.

A person can order a new car with a choice of six possible colors, with or without air conditioning, with or without automatic transmission, with or without power windows, and with or without a CD player. In how many different ways can a new car be ordered with regard to these options?

A coin is tossed and a die is rolled. Find the probability of getting The probability that South Florida will be hit by a major hurricane (category 4 or 5 ) in any single year is \(\frac{1}{16}\). (Source: National Hurricane Center) a. What is the probability that South Florida will be hit by a major hurricane two years in a row? b. What is the probability that South Florida will be hit by a major hurricane in three consecutive years? c. What is the probability that South Florida will not be hit by a major hurricane in the next ten years? d. What is the probability that South Florida will be hit by a major hurricane at least once in the next ten years?

You are taking a multiple-choice test that has five questions. Each of the questions has three answer choices, with one correct answer per question. If you select one of these three choices for each question and leave nothing blank, in how many ways can you answer the questions?

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.