3 Basics of Probability
3 Basics of Probability
Descriptive Inferential
Probability
Statistics Statistics
Introduction to Probability
Sample Scenarios
1. Consider the experiment of tossing a die. If we are interested in the number that
shows on the top face, the sample space would be:
2. Consider the experiment of tossing a die. If we are interested on whether the number
is even or odd, the sample space would be:
Sample Scenarios
4. An experiment consists of flipping a coin. If a head occurs, the coin is flipped a second
time. If a tail occurs, a die is tossed.
Second outcome Sample point
H {HH}
First outcome
H
T {HT}
1 {T1}
2 {T2}
T 3 {T3}
4 {T4}
5 {T5}
6 {T6}
Introduction to Probability
Sample Scenarios
5. Suppose that three items are selected at random from a manufacturing process. Each
item is inspected and classified defective, D, or non-defective, N
third sample
item point
second D {DDD}
first item
item D N {DDN}
D {DND}
D N N {DNN}
D {NDD}
D
N N {NDN}
N D {NND}
N {NNN}
Introduction to Probability
Event
A subset of a sample space
For any given experiment we may be interested in the occurrence of certain events
rather than in the outcome of a specific element in the sample space.
6. We are interested in the event A that the outcome when a die is tossed is divisible by 3.
Introduction to Probability
Event
A subset of a sample space
For any given experiment we may be interested in the occurrence of certain events
rather than in the outcome of a specific element in the sample space.
7. Suppose that three items are selected at random from a manufacturing process. Each
item is inspected and classified defective, D, or non-defective, N (with reference to
example 5). If we are interested in the event B that the number of defectives is
greater than 1:
Introduction to Probability
Complement of an Event
A subset of all elements of the sample space that are not in event A
8. We are interested in the event A that the outcome when a die is tossed is divisible by
3 (with reference to 6)
Introduction to Probability
Complement of an Event
A subset of all elements of the sample space that are not in event A
9. Suppose that three items are selected at random from a manufacturing process. Each
item is inspected and classified defective, D, or non-defective, N (with reference to
example 5). If we are interested in the event B that the number of defectives is
greater than 1: (with reference to 7)
Introduction to Probability
Intersection
The intersection of two events A and B, denoted by the symbol A B, is the event
containing all elements that are common to A and B
Mutually Exclusive
Two events A and B are mutually exclusive or disjoint if the intersection between
them is null (A B = ), that is, if A and B have no elements in common
Union
The union of the two events A and B, denoted by the symbol A B, is the event
containing all the elements that belong to A or B or both.
Introduction to Probability
Theorem 2.1
• If an operation can be performed in n1 ways, and if for each of these a second
operation can be performed in n2 ways, then the two operations can be performed
together in n1n2 ways.
10. How many sample points are in the sample space when a pair of dice is thrown once?
Theorem 2.1
11. A developer of a new subdivision offers prospective home buyers a choice of Tudor,
rustic, colonial, and traditional exterior styling in ranch, two-story, and split-level floor
plans. In how many different ways can a buyer order one of these homes?
Counting Sample Points
Theorem 2.2
• If an operation can be performed in n1 ways, and if for each of these a second
operation can be performed in n2 ways, and for each of the first two a third operation
can be performed in n3 ways, and so forth, then the two operations can be performed
together in n1n2 n3,…nk ways.
12. How many lunches consisting of a soup, sandwich, dessert, and a drink are possible if
we can select 4 soups, 3 kinds of sandwiches, 5 desserts, and 4 drinks?
- soup
- sandwiches
- desserts
- drinks
Counting Sample Points
Theorem 2.2
• If an operation can be performed in n1 ways, and if for each of these a second
operation can be performed in n2 ways, and for each of the first two a third operation
can be performed in n3 ways, and so forth, then the two operations can be performed
together in n1n2 n3,…nk ways.
13. How many even three-digit numbers can be formed from the digits 1, 2, 5, 6, and 9 if
each digit can be used only once?
- ones
- tens
- hundreds
Counting Sample Points
Permutation
It is an arrangement of all or part of a set of objects
14. Consider the three letters a, b, and c. The possible permutations are abc, acb, bac,
bca, cab, and cba.
In other words it has 6 distinct arrangements
- First letter
- Second letter
- Third letter
Counting Sample Points
Theorem 2.3
• The number of permutation of n distinct objects is n!
15. Consider the four letters a, b, c and d. The number of possible permutations is:
16. Given the four letters a, b, c and d. Consider the number of permutations that are
possible by taking the four letters two at a time.
These would be ab, ac, ad, ba, bc, bd, ca, cb, cd, da, db, dc
- First letter
- Second letter
Counting Sample Points
Theorem 2.4
• The number of permutation of n distinct objects taken r at a time is
17. Two lottery tickets are drawn from 20 for a first and a second prize. Find the number
of sample points in space S.
Counting Sample Points
Theorem 2.4
• The number of permutation of n distinct objects taken r at a time is
18. How many ways can a local chapter of the American Chemical Society schedule 3
speakers for 3 different meetings if they are all available on any of 5 possible dates?
- First speaker
- Second speaker
- Third speaker
Counting Sample Points
Theorem 2.5
• The number of permutation of n distinct objects arranged in a circle is (n – 1)!
Theorem 2.6
• The number of distinct permutation of n things of which n1 are of one kind, n2 of a
second kind,… nk of a kth kind is
19. How many different ways can 3 red, 4 yellow, and 2 blue bulbs be arranged in a string
of Christmas tree lights with 9 sockets?
Counting Sample Points
Theorem 2.7
• The number of ways of partitioning a set of n objects into r cells with n1 elements in
the first cell, n2 elements in the second, and so forth, is
where
20. In how many ways can 7 scientists be assigned to one triple and two double hotel
rooms?
- Triple room
- Double room
- Double room
Counting Sample Points
Theorem 2.8
• The number of combinations of n distinct objects taken r at a time is
Counting Sample Points
21. From 4 chemists and 3 physicists, find the number of committees that can be formed
consisting of 2 chemists and 1 physicist.
4. (a) How many distinct permutations can be made from the letters of the word
columns?
(b) How many of these permutations start with the letter m?
Counting Sample Points
9. How many distinct permutations can be made from the letters of the word infinity?
Counting Sample Points
11. Nine people are going on a skiing trip in 3 cars that hold 2, 4, and 5 passengers,
respectively. In how many ways is it possible to transport the 9 people to the ski
lodge, using all cars?
12. How many ways are there to select 3 candidates from 8 equally qualified recent
graduates for openings in an accounting firm?
Probability of an Event
1. A coin is tossed twice. What is the probability that at least one head occurs?
If the coin is balanced, each of the outcomes in the sample space is equally likely to occur.
Therefore, the weight of each outcome is:
Probability of an Event
1. A coin is tossed twice. What is the probability that at least one head occurs?
2. A die is loaded in such a way that an even number is twice as likely to occur as an odd
number. If E is the event that a number less than 4 occurs on a single toss of the die,
find P(E).
3. From example 2, let A be the event that an even number turns up and let B be the
event that a number divisible by 3 occurs. Find P(AB) and P(AB).
Probability of an Event
Theorem 2.9
• If an experiment can result in any one of N different equally likely outcomes, and if
exactly n of these outcomes correspond to event A, then the probability of event A is
Theorem 2.9
• If an experiment can result in any one of N different equally likely outcomes, and if
exactly n of these outcomes correspond to event A, then the probability of event A is
5. In a poker hand consisting of 5 cards, find the probability of holding 2 aces and 3 jacks
Probability of an Event
Theorem 2.9
• If an experiment can result in any one of N different equally likely outcomes, and if
exactly n of these outcomes correspond to event A, then the probability of event A is
5. In a poker hand consisting of 5 cards, find the probability of holding 2 aces and 3 jacks
Probability of an Event
P(O) = 2P(E)
P(1) = P(3) = P(5) = x, and P(2) = P(4) = P(6) = 2x
P(O) + P(E) = 1
P(1) + P(3) + P(5) + P(2) + P(4) + P(6) = 1
x + x + x + 2x + 2x + 2x = 1
9x = 1
1
𝑥=
9
Probability of an Event
𝑃 𝐴 =𝑃 1 +𝑃 2 +𝑃 3 𝑃 𝐵 = 𝑃 1 + 𝑃 3 + 𝑃(5)
1 2 1 1 1 1
𝑃 𝐴 = + + 𝑃 𝐵 = + +
9 9 9 9 9 9
4 3 1
𝑃 𝐴 = 𝑃 𝐵 = =
9 9 3
Probability of an Event
Theorem 2.10
• If A and B are any two events, then
Corollary 1
• If A and B are mutually exclusive, then
Corollary 2
• If A1, A2, A3, … An are mutually exclusive, then
Additive Rules
Theorem 2.10
• If A and B are any two events, then
Corollary 3
• If A1, A2, A3, … An is a partition of a sample space S, then
Additive Rules
Theorem 2.11
• For three events A, B, and C,
Additive Rules
6. The probability that Paula passes mathematics is 2/3, and the probability that she
passes English is 4/9. If the probability of passing both courses is 1/4, what is the
probability that Paula will pass at least one of these courses?
Additive Rules
7. What is the probability of getting a total of 7 or 11 when a pair of dice are tossed?
Events A and B are mutually exclusive since a total of 7 or 11 cannot both occur on the
same toss
Additive Rules
8. If the probabilities are, respectively, 0.09, 0.15, 0,21, and 0.23 that a person
purchasing a new automobile will choose the color green, white, red or blue, what is
the probability that a given buyer will purchase a new automobile that comes in one
of those colors?
Additive Rules
Theorem 2.12
• If A and A’ are complementary events, then
Theorem 2.12
• If A and A’ are complementary events, then
10. A box contains 500 envelops of which 75 contain $100 in cash, 150 contain $25, and
275 contain $10. An envelop may be purchased for $25. Find the probability that the
first envelop purchased contains less than $100.
Additive Rules
11. The probability that an American industry will locate in Munich is 0.7, the probability
that it will locate in Brussels is 0.4, and the probability that it will locate in either
Munich or Brussels is 0.8. What is the probability that the industry will locate in
a. Both cities?
b. Neither city?
Additive Rules
The probability of an event B occurring when it is known that some event A has
occurred
if P(A) > 0
Conditional Probability
13. Suppose that our sample space S is the population of adults in a small town who have
completed the requirements for a college degree. We shall categorize them according
to sex and employment status:
One of these individuals is to be selected at random for a tour throughout the country to
publicize the advantages of establishing new industries in the town. Find the probability
that an employed male is selected.
13. Suppose that our sample space S is the population of adults in a small town who have
completed the requirements for a college degree. We shall categorize them according
to sex and employment status:
One of these individuals is to be selected at random for a tour throughout the country to
publicize the advantages of establishing new industries in the town. Find the probability
that an employed male is selected.
Conditional Probability
14. The probability that a regularly scheduled flight departs on time is P(D) = 0.83; the
probability that it arrives on time is P(A) = 0.82; and the probability that it departs and
arrives on time is P(D A) = 0.78. Find the probability that a plane
a. arrives on time given that it departed on time
b. departs on time given that it arrived on time
c. arrives on time given that it departed late
Conditional Probability
14. The probability that a regularly scheduled flight departs on time is P(D) = 0.83; the
probability that it arrives on time is P(A) = 0.82; and the probability that it departs and
arrives on time is P(D A) = 0.78. Find the probability that a plane
a. arrives on time given that it departed on time
b. departs on time given that it arrived on time
c. arrives on time given that it departed late
Conditional Probability
15. from example 2 - A die is loaded in such a way that an even number is twice as likely
to occur as an odd number. Let B be the event of getting a perfect square, and A be
the event of getting a number greater than 3. Find the probability of getting a perfect
square given that the number is greater than 3.
Conditional Probability
15. from example 2 - A die is loaded in such a way that an even number is twice as likely
to occur as an odd number. Let B be the event of getting a perfect square, and A be
the event of getting a number greater than 3. Find the probability of getting a perfect
square given that the number is greater than 3.
Conditional Probability
16. 2 cards are drawn in succession from an ordinary deck with replacement.
Theorem 2.13
• If in an experiment the events A and B can both occur, then
17. A fuse box contains 20 fuses, of which 5 are defective. If 2 fuses are selected at
random and removed from the box in succession without replacing the first, what is
the probability that both fuses are defective?
18. One bag contains 4 white balls and 3 black balls, and a second bag contains 3 white
balls and 5 black balls. One ball is drawn from the first bag and placed unseen in the
second bag. What is the probability that a ball now drawn from the second bag is
black?
Multiplicative Rules
Theorem 2.14
• Two events A and B are independent if and only if
19. A small town has one fire engine and one ambulance available for emergencies. The
probability that a fire engine is available when needed is 0.98, and the probability
that the ambulance is available when called is 0.92. In an event of an injury resulting
from a burning building, find the probability that both the ambulance and the fire
engine will be available.
Multiplicative Rules
Theorem 2.15
• If in an experiment, the events A1, A2, A3,…Ak can occur, then
20. Three cards are drawn in succession, without replacement, from an ordinary deck of
playing cards. Find the probability that the event A1 A2 A3 occurs, where A1 is the
event that the first card is a red ace, A2 is the event that the second card is a 10 or
jack, and A3 is the event that the third card is greater than 3 but less than 7.
= 0.00145
Multiplicative Rules
21. In a certain plant, three machines, B1, B2, and B3, make 30%, 45%, and 25%,
respectively, of the products. It is known from past experience that 2%, 3%, and 2% of
the products made by each machine, respectively, are defective. Now suppose that a
finished product is randomly selected, what is the probability that it is defective?
21. In a certain plant, three machines, B1, B2, and B3, make 30%, 45%, and 25%,
respectively, of the products. It is known from past experience that 2%, 3%, and 2% of
the products made by each machine, respectively, are defective. Now, suppose that a
finished product is randomly selected. What is the probability that it is defective?
22. from example 21 - if a product were chosen at random and found to be defective,
what is the probability that it was made by machine B3?
Multiplicative Rules
If a person is picked at random from this group, find the probability that
(a) the person is a male, given that the person has a secondary education;
(b) the person does not have a college degree, given that the person is a female.
Multiplicative Rules
28. A truth serum has the property that 90% of the guilty suspects are properly judged
while, of course, 10% of guilty suspects are improperly found innocent. On the other
hand, innocent suspects are misjudged 1% of the time. If the suspect was selected
from a group of suspects of which only 5% have ever committed a crime, and the
serum indicates that he is guilty, what is the probability that he is innocent?