Combinations and Probability
Combinations and Probability
DAY 6
256.
In a class of 40 students, 27 like Calculus and 25 like Chemistry. How many like both
Calculus and Chemistry?
A. 10
B. 11
C. 12
D. 13
Solution:
Let x = number of students who like both subjects
27 x + x + 25 x = 40
27 + 5 x = 40
x = 12
257.
A club of 40 executives, 33 like to smoke Marlboro and 20 like to smoke Philip
Morris. How many like both?
A. 10
B. 11
C. 12
D. 13
Solution:
Let x = number of executive who smoke both brand of cigarettes
[33 x] + x + [20 x] = 40
33 + - x = 40
x = 13
258.
A survey of 100 persons revealed that 72 of them had eaten at restaurant P and
that 52 of them had eaten at restaurant Q. Which of the following could not be the
number of persons in the surveyed group who had eaten at both P and Q?
A. 20
B. 22
C. 24
D. 26
Solution:
Let x = number of persons who have eaten in both restaurants
72 + 52 x = 100
X = 24
259.
The probability of ECE board examinees from a certain school to pass the subject
Mathematics is 3/7 and for the subject Communications is 5/7. if none of the
examinees fails in both subject and there are 4 examinees who pass both subjects,
find the number of examinees from that school who took the examinations.
A. 20
B. 25
C. 30
D. 28
Solution:
Let x = number of examinees who took the examination
X=[ 7
X=
x4
+4+[
5
x4
7
8
x4
7
X = 28
260.
In a commercial survey involving 1000 persons in brand preference, 120 were found
to prefer brand x only, 200 prefer brand y only, 150 prefer brand z only, 370 prefer
either brand x or y but not z, 450 prefer brand y or z but not x and 370 prefer either
brand z or x but not y. How many persons have no brand preference, satisfied with
any of the three brands?
A. 280
B. 230
C. 180
D. 130
Solution:
Let x = number of persons who have no brand preference
261.
A toothpaste firm claims that in a survey of 54 people, they were using either
Colgate, Hapee or Close-up brand. The following statistics were found: 6 people
used all three brands, 5 used only Hapee and Close-up, 18 used Hapee or Close-up,
2 used Hapee, 2 used only Hapee and Colgate, 1 used Close-up and Colgate and 20
used only Colgate. Is the survey worth paying for?
A. Neither yes nor no
B. Yes
C. No
D. Either yes or no
Solution:
Note:
The survey is not worth paying for. One error is that according to the said survey,
there are 6 people who used all three brands but only 5 people used the brands
Hapee and Close-up.
262.
How many four-letter words beginning and ending with a vowel without any letter
repeated can be formed from the word "personnel"?
A. 40
B. 480
C. 20
D. 312
Solution:
Given word: PERSONNEL
Number of vowels = [ E and O ]
Number of constants = 5 [P, R, S, N and L ]
263.
Five different mathematics books, 4 different electronics books and 2 different
communications books are to b placed in a shelf with the books of the same subject
together. Find the number of ways in which the books can placed.
A. 292
B. 5760
C. 34560
D. 12870
Solution:
Math
Math
Elec
Elec
Comm.
Comm.
Elec
Comm.
Math
Comm.
Math
Elec
Comm.
Elec
Comm.
Math
Elec
Math
Six Patterns
Number of ways the books in MATH can be arranged = 5!
Number of ways the books in ELEC can be arranged = 4!
Number of ways the books in COMM can be arranged = 2!
Let N = total number of ways
N = [5!] [4!] [2!] [number of patterns]
N = [5!] [4!] [2!] [6]
N = 34,560 ways
264.
The number of ways can 3 nurses and 4 engineers can be seated on a bench with
the nurses seated together is
A.144
B. 258
C. 720
D. 450
Solution:
N
E
E
E
E
N
N
E
E
E
N
N
N
E
E
E
N
N
N
E
E
E
N
N
N
E
E
E
N
N
E
E
E
E
N
Five Patterns
Number of ways the 3 nurses can be arranged = 3!
Number of ways the 4 engineers can be arranged = 4!
Let: n = total number of ways
n = [3!] [4!] [number of patterns]
n = [3!] [4!] [5]
n = 720 ways
265.
If 25 people won prizes in the state lottery (assuming that there are no ties), how
many ways can these 15 people win first, second third, fourth, and fifth prizes?
A. 4,845
B. 116,260
C. 360,360
D. 3,003
Solution:
1st
priz
e
15
2nd
priz
e
14
3rd
priz
e
13
4th
priz
e
12
5th
priz
e
11
266.
How many 4 digit numbers can be formed without repeating any digit from the
following digits: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6?
A. 120
B. 130
C. 140
D. 150
Solution:
1st
digit
5
2nd
digit
4
3rd
digit
3
4th
digit
2
N = 5x4x3x2
N = 120 ways
267.
How many permutations are there if the letters PNRCSE are taken six at a time?
A. 1440
B. 480
C. 720
D. 360
Solution:
N = nPn = n! = 6!
N = 720
268.
In how many ways can 6 distict books be arranged in a bookshelf?
A. 720
B. 120
C. 360
D. 180
Solution:
N = nPn = n! = 6!
N = 720 ways
269.
What is the number of permutations of the letters in the word BANANA?
A. 36
B. 60
C. 52
D. 42
Solution:
Given word: BANANA
Number of As = 3
Number of Ns = 2
N=
n!
6!
=
p!q! 3!2!
N = 60 ways
270.
A PSME unit has 10 ME's, 8 PME's and 6 CPM's. If a committee of 3 members, one
from each group is to be formed, how many such committees can be formed?
A. 2,024
B. 12,144
C. 480
D. 360
Solution:
N = 10 ( 8 ) ( 6 )
N = 480 ways
271.
In how many ways can a PSME Chapter with 15 directors choose a President, a Vice
President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and an Auditor, if no member can hold more than
one position?
A. 360,360
B. 32,760
C. 3,003
D. 3,603,600
Solution:
Pre
s
15
VP
Sec
Trea
s
12
14
13
N=
15 ( 14 ) ( 13 )( 12 ) ( 11 )
Aud
11
N = 360,360
272.
Four different colored flags can be hung in a row to make coded signal. How many
signals can be made if a signal consists of the display of one or more flags?
A. 64
B. 66
C. 68
D. 62
Solution:
N = 2P1 +
N=
4!
( 41 ) !
4!
( 42 ) !
4!
( 43 ) !
4!
( 44 ) !
N = 64 signals
273.
In how many wayscan 4 boys and 4 girls be seated alternately in a row of 8 seats?
A. 1152
B. 2304
C. 576
D. 2204
Solution:
Number of ways the 4 boys can be arranged = 4!
Number of ways the 4 girls can be arranged = 4!
N=
(4 !) (4 !)
N = 576 ways
274.
There are four balls of four different colors. Two balls are taken at a time and
arranged in a definite order. For example, if a white and a red balls are taken, one
definite arrangement is white first, red second, and another arrangement is red first,
white second. How many such arrangements are possible?
A. 24
B. 6
C. 12
D. 36
Solution:
N = 4P2 =
4!
( 42 ) !
N = 12 ways
275.
How many differents ways can 5 boys and 5 girls form a circle with boys and girls
alternate?
A. 28,800
B. 2,880
C. 5,600
D. 14,400
Solution:
276.
There are four balls of different colors. Two balls at a time are taken and arranged
any way. How many such combinations are possible?
A. 36
B. 3
C. 6
D. 12
Solution:
N = 4C 2 =
4!
( 42 ) ! 2 !
N = 6 ways
277.
How many 6-number combinations can be generated from the numbers from 1 to
42 inclusive, without repetition and with no regards to the order of the numbers?
A. 850,668
B. 5,245,786
C. 188,848,296
D. 31,474,716
Solution:
N=
42C6 =
42 !
( 426 ) ! 6 !
N = 5,245,786 ways
278.
Find the total number of combinations of three letters, J, R, T taken 1, 2, 3 at a time.
A. 7
B. 8
C. 9
D. 10
Solution:
N=
-1=
-1
N = 7 ways
279.
In how many ways can you invite one or more of your five friends in a party?
A. 15
B. 31
C. 36
D. 25
Solution:
N=
-1=
-1
N = 31 ways
280.
In how many ways can a committee of three consisting of two chemical engineers
and one mechanical engineer can be formed from four chemical engineers and
three mechanical engineers?
A. 18
B. 64
C. 32
D. None of these
Solution:
Number of ways of selecting a chemical engineer:
4!
N 1 = 4C 2 =
( 42 ) ! 2 !
=6
N2
= 3C 1 =
N = 6 ( 3)
3!
( 31 ) ! 1!
=3
= 18 ways
281.
In Mathematics examination, a student may select 7 problems from a set of 10
problems. In how many ways can he make his choice?
A. 120
B. 530
C. 720
D. 320
Solution:
N=
10C7 =
10!
( 107 ) ! 7 !
N = 120 ways
282.
How many committees can be formed by choosing 4 men from an organization of a
membership of 15 men?
A. 1390
B. 1240
C. 1435
D. 1365
Solution:
N=
15C4 =
15 !
( 154 ) ! 4 !
N = 1,365 comminttees
283.
A semiconductor company will hire 7 men and 4 women. In how many ways can the
company choose from 9 men and 6 women who qualified for the position?
A. 680
B. 540
C. 480
D. 840
Solution:
Number of ways of hiring men:
9!
N 1 = 9C 7 =
( 97 ) ! 7 !
= 36
N2
= 6C 4 =
6!
( 64 ) ! 4 !
N = 36 ( 15 )=540
= 15
ways
284.
There are 13 teams in a tournament. Each team is to play with each other only
once. What is the minimun number of dayss can they all play without any team
playing more than one game in any day?
A. 11
B. 12
C. 13
D. 14
Solution:
Total number of games
N=
13C2 =
13 !
( 132 ) ! 2!
= 78
13
2
= 6.5 = 6 games/day
78
6
= 13 days
285.
There are five main roads between the cities A and B, and four between B and C. In
how many ways can a person drive from A to C and return, going through B on both
trips without driving on the same road twice?
A. 260
B. 240
C. 120
D. 160
Solution:
Number of ways to travel from A to B = 5
Number of ways to travel from B to C = 4
Number of ways to travel from C to B without using the same road to travel from B
to C = 4
Number of ways to travel from B to A without using the same road to travel from A
to B = 4
N = 5 ( 4 )( 3 )( 4 )
= 240 ways
286.
There are 50 tickets in a lottery in which there is a first and second prize. What is
the probability of a man drawing a prize if he owns 5 tickets?
A. 50%
B. 25%
C. 20%
D. 40%
Solution:
P = probability of winning a prize in the lottery
P=
2
50
1
25
( 251 )
P=5
P = 0.20
287.
Roll a pair of dice. What is the probability that the sum of two numbers is 11?
A. 1/36
B. 1/9
C. 1/18
D. 1/20
Solution:
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of trials with a sum of 11 = 2
P=
P=
2
36
1
18
288.
Roll two dice once. What is the probability that the sum is 7?
A. 1/6
B. 1/8
C. 1/4
D. 1/7
Solution:
Total number of trials = 36
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of trials with a sum of 7 = 6
P=
P=
6
36
1
6
289.
In a throw of two dice, the probability of obtaining a total of 10 or 12 is
A. 1/6
B. 1/9
C. 1/12
D. 1/18
Solution:
Total number of trials = 36
Number of trials with a sum of 10 or 12 = 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
P=
P=
4
36
1
9
290.
Determine the probability of drawing either a king or a diamond in a single draw
from a pack of 52 playing cards.
A. 2/13
B. 3/13
C. 4/13
D. 1/13
Solution:
Note: in a pack of 52 playing cards, there are 4 king cards, 13 diamond cards and 1
king and diamond card at the same time.
PK
PD
PD K
PD K
PK +
PD
PD K
PD K
4 13 1 16
+ =
52 52 52 52
PD K
4
13
291.
A card is drawn from a deck of 52 playing cards. Find the probability of drawing a
king or a red card.
A. 0.5835
B. 0.5385
C. 0.3585
D. 0.8535
Solution:
Note: in a pack of 52 playing cards, there are 4 king cards, 26 red cards and 2 king
and red card at the same time.
PK
PR
PR K
PR K
PR K =
PR K =
292.
PK +
PR
4 26 2
+
52 52 52
0.5385
PR K
pr q nr
1
2
Where: p =
P = 3C 3
P=
1
2
1
2
;q=
0
( )( )
1
2
( ) 1
= 1 2
; n = 3; r = 3
3
()
1
8
293.
The probability of getting at least 2 heads when a coin is tossed four times is,
A. 11/16
B. 13/16
C. 1/4
D. 3/8
Solution:
P = nCr
pr q nr
1
2
Where: p =
1
2
1
2
1
2
= 4C 4
p4 h
1
2
1
2
1
2
()
1
2
1
4
( )( )
1
2
()
1
2
( )( )
4
()
1
16
P=
3 h+ p4 h
2 h+ p
p
3 1 1
+ +
8 4 16
P=
11
16
3
8
4!
( 43 ) ! 3!
p4 h
; n = 4; r = 2
4!
( 42 ) ! 2 !
p3 h = 4C3
p3 h =
1
2
( )( )
p2 h = 4C2
p2 h =
;q=
294.
A fair coin is tossed three times. What is the probability of getting either 3 heads or
3 tails?
A. 1/8
B. 3/8
C. 1/4
D. 1/2
Solution:
P = nCr
pr q nr
Where: p =
p3 h = 3C3
p3 h =
1
2
;q=
1
2
; n = 3; r = 3
1
2
1
2
( )( )
( ) 1
= 1 2
1
2
1
2
( ) 1
= 1 2
()
1
8
p3 t
= 3C 3
p3 t
( )( )
()
1
8
P=
p3 h + p3 t
P=
1
4
1 1
+
8 8
295.
The probability of getting a credit in an examination is 1/3. If three students are
selected at random, what is the probability that at least one of them got a credit?
A. 19/27
B. 8/27
C. 2/3
D. 1/3
Solution:
Note:
Probability of getting a credit =
1
3
2
3
Let:
3C 1
1
3
2
3
( )( )
3!
( 31 ) ! 1!
( 274 )
12
27
3C 2
1
3
2
3
( )( )
3!
( 32 ) ! 2!
( 272 )
6
27
P3=
3C 3
1
3
2
3
( )( )
=1
( 271 )
1
27
P1+ P 2+ P3 =
P=
19
27
12 6 1
+ +
27 27 27
296.
There are 3 questions in a test. For each question 1 point is awarded for a correct
answer and none for a wrong answer. If the probability that Janine correctly answers
a question in the test is 2/3, determine the probability that she gets zero in the test.
A. 8/27
B. 4/9
C. 1/30
D. 1/27
Solution:
Note:
The only way that she can get a zero is, if all her 3 answer were wrong.
Let:
p = probability of getting a correct answer
p=
2
3
1
3
P = nCr
P = 3C 3
pr q nr
1
3
2
3
( )( )
( ) 1
= 1 3
()
1
27
297.
In the ECE Board Examinations, the probability that an examinee will pass each
subject is 0.8. What is the probability that an examinee will pass at least 2 subjects
out of the 3 board subjects?
A. 70.9%
B. 80.9%
C. 85.9%
D. 89.6%
Solution:
Notes:
Probability of getting a passing score in each subject is 0.8
Probability of failing in any of the three subjects is 0.2
Let:
3C 2
( 0.8 )2 ( 0.2 )1
3!
( 32 ) !2!
( 0.128 ) = 0.384
P2 = 0.512
P = probability of passing at least two subjects
P = 0.384 + 0.512
P = 0.896
298.
In a multiply choice test, each question is to be answered by selecting 1 out of 5
choices, of which only 1 is right. If there are 10 questions in a test, what is the
probability og getting 6 right of pure guesswork?
A. 10%
B. 6%
C. 0.44%
D. 0.55%
Solution:
Let:
p = probability of getting a correct answer
1
5
p=
4
5
q=
10C6
P=
1
5
4
5
( )( )
10 !
1
=
( 106 ) ! 6 ! 5
4
5
( )( )
P = 0.0055
299.
From a box containing 6 red balls, 8 white balls and 10 blue balls, one ball is drawn
at random.
Determine the probability that it is red or white.
A. 1/3
B. 7/12
C. 5/12
D. 1/4
Solution:
Let:
P = probability of getting a red or white ball from the box
P=
number of d balls
total number of balls
P=
14 7
=
24 12
300.
From a bag containing 4 black balls and 5 white balls, two balls are drawn one at a
time. Find the probability that both balls are white. Assume that the first ball is
returned before the second ball is drawn.
A. 25/81
B. 16/81
C. 5/18
D. 40/81
Solution:
Let:
P 1=
5
9
P 2=
5
9
5 5
P 1 x P2 = x
9 9
P=
25
81
301.
A bag contains 3 white and 5 black balls. If two balls are drawn in succession
without replacement, what is the probability that both balls are black?
A. 5/16
B. 5/28
C. 5/32
D. 5/14
Solution:
Let:
5
8
P 2=
4
7
5 4
P1 x P 2= x
8 7
P=
20 5
=
56 14
302.
An urn contains 4 black balls and 6 white balls. What is the probability of getting 1
black and 1 white ball in two consecutive draws from the urn?
A. 0.24
B. 0.27
C. 0.53
D. 0.04
Solution:
Assume the first draw is black and the second draw is white:
P1=P x P
P 1=
4 6
x
10 9
P 1=
24
90
Assume the first draw is white and the second draw is black:
P2=P x P
P 2=
4 6
x
10 9
P 2=
24
90
Let:
P = probability that one ball is black and the other is white
P=
P1+ P 2=
24 24
+
90 90
P = 0.533
303.
From a bag containing 4 black balls and 5 white balls, two balls are drawn one at a
time. Find the probability that one ball is white and one ball is black. Assume that
the first ball is returned before the sencond ball is drawn.
A. 16/81
B. 25/81
C. 20/18
D. 40/81
Solution:
Assume the first draw is black and the second draw is white:
P1=P x P
4 5
P 1= x
9 9
P 1=
40
81
Assume the first draw is white and the second draw is black
P2=P x P
4 5
P 2= x
9 9
P 2=
40
81
Let:
P = probability that one ball is black and the other is white
P=
P 1 + P 2=
P=
40
81
20 20
+
81 81
304.
A group of 3 people enter a theater after the lights had dimmed. They are shown to
the correnct group of seats by the usher. Each person holds a number stub. What is
the probability that each is in the correct seat according to the numbers in seat and
stub?
A. 1/6
B. 1/4
C. 1/2
D. 1/8
Solution:
Probability that A is correct =
1
3
1
2
1 1
x x1
3 2
P=
1
6
305.
From 20 tickets marked with first 20 numerals, one is drawn at random. What is the
chance that it will be a multiple of 3 or of 7?
A. 1/2
B. 8/15
C. 3/10
D. 2/5
Solution:
Numbers from 1 to 20, which is divisible by 3 = 6 numbers
( 3,6, 9, 12,15, 18 )
( 7,14 )
successful outcomes
total outcomes
P=
8
20
P=
2
5