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Probability and Tree Diagrams
Probability and Tree Diagrams
Probability and Tree Diagrams
In plain English this says that if two events are independent then to find the probability of them both happening we multiply the
individual probabilities together.
The equation may be used in the following way. Suppose John and Bill take their driving tests on the same day. The probability
that John will pass is 0.6 and the probability that Bill will pass is 0.3.Find the probability that
a)Both pass
b)Neither pass
OR
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Because either the first OR the second can happen, we add the two probabilities 0.42+0.12=0.54
d)At least one passes mean that both can pass OR exactly one can pass
ie 0.18+0.54=0.72
Example: A bag contains 4 red balls and 7 green balls. Two balls are taken out one at a time and put to one side. Find the
probability that
b)One is red
To start we have 4 red balls out of 11, so the probability of picking a red ball is Now we take the ball and put it aside.
There are only 3 red balls and 7 red balls out of 10. The probability of the second ball being red is and the probability of the
second ball being green is This labels the top half of the probability tree as shown.
The probability of the first ball being green is Then this ball is put aside and there are now 4 red balls and 6 green balls
out of 10, so the probability of the second ball being red is and the probability of the second ball being green is This
labels the bottom half of the probability tree.
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The first ball can be green and the second ball can be red =
Since we can have either the first OR the second way round we add these two answers:
C)At least one is read mean both can be red, OR exactly one can be red, so we add the answers to a) and b)
d)Both have the same colour if they are both red OR if they are both green
The probability of the first one being green and second one being green is
d) If they are different colours, they cannot be the same colour so we find 1 minus the answer to d) =
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