PROBABILITY

EXAMPLES 
CONTENTS Ex.1 Two dice are thrown at a time. Find the
probability of the following -
 Mathematical Definition of
(i) these numbers shown are equal;
Probability (ii) the difference of numbers shown is 1.
Sol. The sample space in a throw of two dice
MATHEMATICAL DEFINITION OF
s = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} ×{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.
PROBABILITY
total no. of cases n (s) = 6 × 6 = 36.
Let there are n exhaustive, mutually exclusive and
equally likely cases for an event A and m of those (i) Here E1 = the event of showing equal number
are favourable to it, then probability of happening on both dice
of the event A is defined by the ratio m/n which is
= {(1, 1) (2, 2) (3, 3) (4, 4) (5, 5) (6, 6) }
denoted by P(A). Thus
 n (E1 ) = 6
m
P(A) =
n n (E 1 ) 6 1
 P (E1) =  
No. of favourable cases to A n (s) 36 6
=
No. of exhaustive cases to A (ii) Here E2 = the event of showing numbers whose
Note : It is obvious that 0 m n. If an event A is difference is 1.
certain to happen, then m = n thus P (A) = 1. = {(1, 2) (2, 1) (2, 3) (3, 2) (3, 4) (4, 3)
(4, 5) (5, 4) (5, 6) (6, 5)}
If A is impossible to happen then m = 0 and so
P (A) = 0. Hence we conclude that n (E 2 ) 10 5
 n (E2) = 10 p (E2) =  
0  P (A)  1 n (s) 36 18

Further, if A denotes negative of A i.e. Ex.2 Three coins are tossed together -
event that A doesn’t happen, then for above (i) Find the probability of getting exactly two
cases m, n ; we shall have heads,
nm m (ii) Find the probability of getting at least two tails.
P (A ) =  1 = 1– P (A)
n n Sol. The sample space in tossing three coins
  P (A) + P ( A ) = 1 S = (H, T) × (H, T) × (H, T)
Playing Cards :  Total no. of cases n (s) = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8
(i) Total : 52 (26 red, 26 black) (i) Here E1 = the event of getting exactly two
heads
(ii) Four suits : Heart, Diamond, Spade, Club - 13 cards
each = {HHT, HTH, THH}
(iii) Court Cards : 12 (4 Kings, 4 queens, 4 jacks) n (E 1 ) 3
n (E1) = 3 P (E1) = 
(iv) Honour Cards:16 (4 aces, 4 kings, 4 queens, 4 jacks) n (s) 8
 (ii) E2 = {HTT, THT, TTH, TTT}  0.3 + q = 1
n (E2) = 4,   q = 1 – 0.3
 q = 0.7
n (E 2 ) 4 1
 P(E2) =  
n (s ) 8 2 Ex.7 Two coins are tossed simulataneously. Find the
probability of getting
Ex.3 Find the probability of throwing (a) 3, (b) an
even number with an ordinary six faced die. (i) two heads

Sol.(a) There are 6 possible ways in which the die can (ii) at least one head
fall and there is only one way of throwing 3. (iii) no head
 The required probability Sol. Let H denotes head and T denotes tail.
Number of favourable outcomes 1  On tossing two coins simultaneously, all
= =
Total number of possible outcomes 6 the possible outcomes are

(b) Total number of outcomes of throwing a (i) The probability of getting two heads = P(HH)
die = 6. Event of occurence of two heads 1
= =
Number of outcomes of falling even number Total number of possible outcomes 4
i.e. 2, 4, 6 = 3.
(ii) The probability of getting at least one head
3 1 = P(HT or TH or HH)
The required probability = =
6 2
Event of occurence of at least one head 3
= =
Ex.4 A card is drawn at random from a well-shuffled Total number of possible outcomes 4
pack of 52 cards. Find the probability that the
card drawn is neither a red card nor a queen. (iii) The probability of getting no head = P(TT)
Sol. There are 26 red cards (including 2 red queens) Event of occurence of no head 1
= =
and 2 more queens are there. Thus, we have to Total number of possible outcomes 4
set aside 28 cards.
Ex.8 On tossing three coins at a time, find -
And, we have to draw 1 card out of the
remaining (52 – 28) = 24 cards. (i) All possible outcomes.

24 6 (ii) events of occurence of 3 heads, 2 heads, 1 head

 Required probability = = . and 0 head.
52 13
(iii) probabilty of getting 3 heads, 2 heads, 1 head
Ex.5 Find the probability of getting a number less
and no head.
than 5 in a single throw of a die.
Sol. Let H denotes head and T denotes tail. On
Sol. There are 4 numbers which are less than 5, i.e.
tossing three coins at a time,
1, 2, 3 and 4.
(i) All possible outcomes = {HHH, HHT, HTH,
Number of such favourable outcomes = 4.
THH, HTT, THT, TTH, TTT}. These are the
 The number marked on all the faces of a 8 possible outcomes.
die are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 (ii) An event of occurence of 3 heads
 Total number of possible outcomes = 6 = (HHH) = 1
4 2 An event of occurence of 2 heads
 P(a number less than 5) = =
6 3
= {HHT, HTH, THH} = 3
Ex.6 If the probability of winning a game is 0.3,
An event of occurence of 1 head
what is the probability of lossing it ?
= {HTT, THT, TTH} = 3
Sol. Probability of winning a game = 0.3.
An event of occurence of O head = {TTT} =1
Probability of losing it = q (say).
 (iii) Now, probability of getting 3 heads = P (HHH) (i) If one ball is drawn at random, what is the
probability that it will be a white ball ?
Event of occurence of 3 heads 1
= = (ii) If 6 more white balls are put in the bag, the
Total number of possible outcomes 8
probability of drawing a white ball will double
Simultaneously, probability of getting 2 heads than that in (i). Find x.
= P(HHT or THH or HTH) Sol. Random drawing of balls ensures equally likely
outcomes
Event of occurence of 2 heads 3
= = Total number of balls = 12
Total number of possible outcomes 8

Probability of getting one head  Total number of possible outcomes = 12

= P (HTT or THT or TTH) Number of white balls = x

(i) Out of total 12 outcomes, favourable outcomes = x
Event of occurence of 1 head 3
= =
Total number of possible outcomes 8 Number of favourable outcomes
P(White ball) =
Total number of possible outcomes
Probability of getting no head = P (TTT)
Event of occurence of no head 1 x
= = =
Total number of possible outcomes 12
8
(ii) If 6 more white balls are put in the bag, then
Ex.9 One card is drawn from a well-shiffled deck of
52 cards. Find the probability of drawing: Total number of white balls = x + 6
(i) an ace Total number of balls in the bag
(ii) ‘2’ of spades = 12 + 6 = 18
(iii) ‘10’ of black suit Number of favourable outcomes
P(White ball) =
Sol.(i) There are 4 aces in deck. Total number of possible outcomes

 Number of such favourable outcomes = 4 x6

=
12  6
 Total number of cards in deck = 52.
According to the question,
 Total number of possible outcomes = 52.
Probability of drawing white ball in second
4 1 case
 P(an ace) = = .
52 13
= 2 × probability drawing of white ball in first
(ii) Number of ‘2’ of spades = 1 case
Number of favourable outcomes = 1 x6 x x6 x
 =2    =
Total number of possible outcomes = 52 18  12  18 6
1  6x + 36 – 18x
 P(‘2’ of spades) =
52
  12x = 36
(iii) There are 2 ‘10’ of black suits (i.e. spade and
club)  x=3
Hence, number of white balls = 3
 Number of favourable outcomes = 2
Ex.11 What is the probability that a leap year,
Total number of possible outcomes = 52
selected at random will contain 53 Sundays ?
2 1
 P(‘10’ of a black suit) = = Sol. Number of days in a leap year = 366 days
52 26
Now, 366 days = 52 weeks and 2 days
Ex.10 A bag contains 12 balls out of which x are
white, The remaining two days can be
 (i) Sunday and Monday (iv) If any of the elementary events HHH, HHT,
HTH and THH is an outcome, then we say that
(ii) Monday and Tuesday
the event "Getting at least two heads" occurs.
(iii) Tuesday and Wednesday
Favourable number of elementary events = 4
(iv) Wednesday and Thursday
4 1
(v) Thursday and Friday Hence, required probability =  .
8 2
(vi) Friday and Saturday Ex.13 17 Cards numbered 1, 2, 3 ... 17 are put in a
(vii) Saturday and Sunday box and mixed thoroughly. One person draws a
card from the box. Find the probability that the
For the leap year to contain 53 Sundays, last number on the card is
two days are either Sunday and Monday or
Saturday and Sunday. (i) Odd
 Number of such favourable outcomes = 2 (ii) A prime
Total number of possible outcomes = 7 (iii) Divisible by 3

2 (iv) Divisible by 3 and 2 both.

 P(a leap year contains 53 sundays) =
7 Sol. Out of 17 cards, in the box, one card can be
drawn in 17 ways.
Ex.12 Three unbiased coins are tossed together. Find
the probability of getting :  Total number of elementary events = 17.
(i) All heads, (ii) Two heads (i) There 9 odd numbered cards, namely, 1, 3, 5, 7,
(iii) One head (iv) At least two heads. 9, 11, 13, 15, 17. Out of these 9 cards one card
can be drawn in 9 ways.
Sol. Elementary events associated to random
experiment of tossing three coins are Favourable number of elementary events = 9.

HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, HTT, THT, TTH, TTT 9

Hence, required probability = .
17
 Total number of elementary events = 8.
(ii) There are 7 prime numbered cards, namely, 2,
(i) The event "Getting all heads" is said to occur, if 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17. Out of these 7 cards one card
the elementary event HHH occurs i.e. HHH is can be chosen in 7 ways.
an outcome. Therefore,
 Favourable number of elementary events = 7.
Favourable number of elementary events = 1
7
1 Hence, P (Getting a prime number) = .
Hence, required probability = 17
8
(iii) Let A denote the event of getting a card bearing
(ii) The event "Getting two heads" will occur, if a number divisible by 3. Clearly, event A
one of the elementary events HHT, THH, HTH occurs if we get a card bearing one of the
occurs. numbers 3, 6, 9, 12, 15.
Favourable number of elementary events = 3 Favourable number of elementary events = 5.
3 Hence, P (Getting a card bearing a number
Hence, required probability =
8 5
divisible by 3) = .
(iii) The events of getting one head, when three 17
coins are tossed together, occurs if one of the (iv) If a number is divisible by both 3 and 2, then it
elementary events HTT, THT, TTH happens. is a multiple of 6. In cards bearing number 1, 2,
Favourable number of elementary events = 3 3 ..., 17 there are only 2 cards which bear a
number divisible by 3 and 2 both i.e. by 6.
3 These cards bear numbers 6 and 12
Hence, required probability =
8
Favourable number of elementary events = 2
 Hence, P (Getting a card bearing a number will fall out when the bank is turned upside
2 down, what is the probability that the coin
divisible by 3 and 2) = .
17 (i) will be a 50 p coin ?
Ex.14 A bag contains 5 red balls, 8 white balls, 4 (ii) will not be a Rs. 5 coin ?
green balls and 7 black balls. If one ball is
drawn at random, find the probability that it is Sol. Number of 50 Rs coins = 100

(i) Black (ii) Red (iii) Not green. Number of 1 Rs coins = 50

Sol. Total number of balls in the bag Number of 2 Rs coins = 20

= 5 + 8 + 4 + 7 = 24 Number of 5 Rs coins = 10

Total number of elementary events = 24

(i) There are 7 black balls in the bag.
Favourable number of elementary events = 7
7
Hence, P (Getting a black ball) = .
24
(ii) There are 5 red balls in the bag.
Favourable number of elementary events = 5
(i) The number of favourable outcomes of 50 p
5
Hence, P (Getting a red ball) = coin to fall = 100
24
Total number of coins = 100 + 50 + 20 + 10 = 180
(iii) There are 5 + 8 + 7 = 20 balls which are not
green. Total number of possible outcomes = 180
Favourable number of elementary events = 20 Number of favourable outcomes
P=
Total number of possible outcomes
20 5
Hence, P (No getting a green ball) = 
24 6 100 5
P (50 p) = =
Ex.15 Find the probability that a number selected at 180 9
random from the numbers 1 to 25 is not a prime (ii) Number of favourable outcomes of 5 Rs coin to
number when each of the given number is not fall = 180 – 10 = 170
equally likely to be selected.
Number of favourable outcomes
Sol. Total number (1, 2, 3, 4, ... 25) = 25. P=
Total number of outcomes
Out of 25 numbers prime numbers = 2, 3, 5, 7,
11, 13, 17, 19, 23. 170 17
P (not Rs. 5) = =
180 18
So, remaining not a prime number are 25 – 9 = 16
Ex.17 (i) A lot of 20 bulbs contain 4 defective ones.
Total number of possible outcomes = 25
One bulb is drawn at random from the lot.
and number of favourable outcomes = 16 What is the probability that this bulb is
defective ?
Number of favourable outcomes
P=
Total number of possible outcomes (ii) Suppose the bulb drawn in (i) is not defective
and is not replaced. Now one bulb is drawn at
16 random from the rest. What is the probability
P (not a prime) =
25 that this bulb is not defective ?
Ex.16 A piggy bank contains hundred 50 p coins, fifty Sol. (i) The total number of bulbs = 20
Re 1 coins, twenty Rs 2 coins and ten Rs 5 Total number of possible outcomes = 20
coins. If it is equally likely that one of the coins
 Number of favourable outcomes of defective Number of favourable outcomes
bulbs = 4 P=
Total number of possible outcomes
Number of favourable outcomes 1
P= P (8) =
Total number of possible outcomes 8
(ii) In the game the number of odd number
1, 3, 5, 7 = 4
Number of favourable outcomes of odd
number = 4
4 1
P = (odd number) = 
8 2
(iii) Numbers greater than 2 = 6
Number of favourable outcomes of greater
4 1 than 2 = 6
P (defective bulb) = 
20 5
6 3
(ii) The bulb drawn is not defective P = (greater than 2) = 
8 4
Total number of bulbs without replacement = 19
(iv) Number less than 9 = 8
Number of defective bulbs = 4
Number of favourable outcome of less
Number of non defective bulbs = 19 – 4 = 15 than 9 = 8
Number of favourable outcomes of non 8
defective bulbs = 15 P (less than 9) = =1
8
Total number of possible outcomes = 19
Ex.19 It is given that in a group of 3 students, the
Number of favourable outcomes probability of 2 students not having the same
P=
Total number of possible outcomes birthday is 0.992. What is the probability that
the 2 students have the same birthday ?
15
P (non defective) = Sol. Probability of 2 students from a group of 3
19 students not having the same birthday = 0.992
Ex.18 A game of chance consists of spinning an Probability of 2 students from a group of 3
arrow which comes to rest pointing at one of students having the same birthday
the number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (see fig), and
these are equally likely outcomes. What is the [ p + q = 1] = 1 – 0.992 = 0.008
probability that it will point at
Ex.20 A card is drawn at random from a well-shuffled
pack of 52 cards. Find the probability that the
8 1 card drawn is neither a red card nor a queen.
7 2
6 3 Sol. Number of red cards including 2 red
5 4 queens = 26
Number of black queens = 2
(i) 8
Therefore, number of red cards including 2 red
(ii) an odd number ? queens and 2 black queens = 26 + 2 = 28
(iii) a number greater than 2 ? Number of cards neither a red card nor a queen
(iv) a number less than 9 ? = 52 – 28 = 24
Sol. Total number of possible outcomes in the Number of favourable outcomes
game = 8 P=
Total number of possible outcomes
(i) Number of rest of arrow on 8 = 1
24 6
Number of favourable outcomes of 8 = 1 P (neither a red nor a queen card) = 
52 13
Ex.21 A card is drawn from a well-shuffled deck of
playing cards. Find the probability of drawing
 (i) a face card (ii) a red face card. (ii) Number of favourable outcomes of sum (3) is
(1, 2), (2, 1) = 2
Sol. Random drawing of cards ensures equally
likely outcomes 2
P (sum, 3) =
(i) Number of face cards (King, queen and Jack of 36
each suits) = 3 × 4 = 12 (iii) Favourable outcomes of sum (4) are
Total number of cards in a deck = 52 {2, 2), (1, 3), (3, 1)}
 Total number of possible outcomes = 52 Number of favourable outcomes of sum
Number of favourable outcomes (4) = 3
P=
Total number of possible outcomes
3
P (sum, 4) =
12 3 36
P (drawing a face card) = 
52 13 (iv) Favourable outcomes of sum (5) are
(ii) Number of red face cards 2 × 3 = 6 {(1, 4), (4, 1), (2, 3), (3, 2)}
Number of favourable outcomes of drawing red Number of favourable outcomes of sum
face card = 6
(5) = 4
Number of favourable outcomes
P= 4
Total number of possible outcomes P (sum, 5) =
36
6 3
P (drawing of red face card) =  (v) Favourable outcomes of sum (6) are
52 26
{(1, 5), (5, 1), (2, 4), (4, 2), (3, 3)}
Ex.22 Two dice are thrown simultaneously. Fill up
the table for number of events of sum on two Number of favourable outcomes of sum
dice. (6) = 5
Events: 'sum on 2 5
Probability P (sum, 6) =
dice'
36
1 (vi) Favourable outcomes of sum (7) are
2
36
{(1, 6), (6, 1), (2, 5), (5, 2), (3, 4), (4, 3)}
3
4 Number of favourable outcomes of sum
5 (7) = 6
6
6
7 P (sum, 7) =
36
5
8 (vii) Favourable outcomes of sum (8) are
36
9 {(2, 6), (6, 2), (3, 5), (5, 3), (4, 4)}
10 Number of favourable outcomes of sum
11
(8) = 5
1
12 5
36 P (sum, 8) =
36
Sol. Total number of possible outcomes = 6 × 6 = 36
(viii) Favourable outcomes of sum (9) are
(i) Number of favourable outcomes of sum
{(3, 6), (6, 3), (4, 5), (5, 4)}
(2) = (1,1) = 1
Number of favourable outcomes of sum
Number of favourable outcomes
P= 4
Total number of possible outcomes (9) = 4 ; P (sum, 9) =
36
1
 P (sum, 2) =
36
(ix) Favourable outcomes of sum (10) are Ex.23 Two customers Abbas and Shehla are visiting a
{(4, 6), (6, 4), (5, 5)} particular shop in the same week (Tuesday to
Saturday). Each is equally likely to visit the
Number of favourable outcomes of sum
shop on any one day as on another. What is the
3 probability that both will visit the shop on
(10) = 3 ; P (sum, 10) =
36 (i) the same day
(x) Favourable outcomes of sum (11) are
(ii) different days
{(6, 5), (5, 6)}
(iii) consecutive days ?
Number of favourable outcomes of sum
Sol. Two customers Abbas and Shehla visiting a
2 shop Tuesday to Saturday.
(11) = 2 ; P (sum, 11) =
36
Total possible ways of visiting shop by them
(xi) Favourable outcomes of sum (12) are (6, 6)
=5×5
Number of favourable outcomes of sum
= 25
1
(12) = 1 ; P (sum, 12) = (i) They can visit the shop on all week days
36
Tuesday to Saturday.
Events: 'sum on 2
Probability Favourable outcomes of visiting shop by them
dice'
on the same day = 5
1
2
36 Number of favourable outcomes
Probability =
Total number of possible outcomes
2
3
36 P (visiting shop same day)
3 5 1
4 = 
36 25 5

4 (ii) Favourable outcomes of visiting shop on the

5 different days by them
36
= 25 – 5
5
6 = 20 days
36

6 Number of favourable outcomes

7 P=
36 Total number of possible outcomes

5 P (visiting shop different days)

8
36 20 4
= 
4 25 5
9
36 (iii) Favourable outcomes of visiting shop by them
3
on consecutive days are
10
36 Abbas T W Th F
Shehla W Th F S
2
11 Shehla T W Th F
36
Abbas W Th F S
1
12 Total favourable outcomes = 4 + 4 = 8 days
36
Number of favourable outcomes = 8
 P (visiting shop on consecutive days) x6 x
 = 2 
Number of favourable outcomes 18  12 
=
Total number of possible outcomes x6 x
 =
8 18 6
=
25  6x + 36 = 18 x
Ex.24 A box contains 12 balls out of which x are    12x = 36
black.
 x=3
(i) If one ball is drawn at random from the box,
what is the probability that it will be a black ball Hence, number of black balls = 3
? Ex.25 A box contains 20 balls bearing numbers, 1, 2,
(ii) If 6 more white balls are put in the bag, the 3, 4, ... 20. A ball is drawn at random from the
probability of drawing a black ball will double box. What is the probability that the number on
than that in (i). Find x. the balls is

Sol. Random drawing of balls ensures equally likely (i) An odd number
outcomes (ii) Divisible by 2 or 3
Total number of balls = 12 (iii) Prime number
 Total number of possible outcomes = 12 (iv) Not divisible by 10
Number of black balls = x Sol. Total number of possible outcomes = 20
(i) Out of total 12 outcomes, favourable outcomes = x Number of favourable outcomes
Probability =
P (black ball) Total number of possible outcomes

Number of favourable outcomes (i) Number of odds out of first 20 numbers = 10

=
Total number of possible outcomes Favourable outcomes by odd = 10
x Favourable outcomes of odd
= P(odds) =
12 Total number of possible outcomes
(ii) If 6 more black balls are put in the bag, then
10
=
Total number of black balls = x + 6 20
Total number of balls in the bag = 12 + 6 = 18 1
=
Number of favourable outcomes 2
P (black ball) =
Total number of possible outcomes (ii) The numbers divisible by 2 or 3 are 2, 3, 4,
6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20.
x6
= Favourable outcomes of numbers divisible by
12  6
2 or 3 = 13
According to the question,
P (numbers divisible by 2 or 3)
Probability of drawing black ball in second
case Favourable outcomes of divisible by 2 or 3
=
Total number of possible outcomes
= 2 × Probability drawing of black ball in first
case 13
=
20
(iii) Prime numbers out of first 20 numbers are 2, 3,
5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19
Favourable outcomes of primes = 8
P(primes)
Favourable outcomes of primes
=
Total number of possible outcomes

8 2
= 
20 5
(iv) Numbers not divisible by 10 are 1, 2, ... 9, 11, ...19
Favourable outcomes of not divisible by 10
= 18
P(not divisible by 10)
Favourable outcomes of not divisible by 10
=
Total number of possible outcomes

18 9
= 
20 10
 EXERCISE # 1
Q.10 A bag contains 6 black, 7 red and 2 white balls.
A.Very Short Answer Type Questions A ball is drawn from the bag at random. Find
the probability that the ball drawn is -
Q.1 A card is drawn from a pack of 52 cards. What
(i) Red
is the probability of getting an ace ?
(ii) Black or white
Q.2 When a card is drawn from a pack of 52 cards. (iii) Not black
Find the probability that it may be either a king
or a queen. Q.11 Two coins are tossed simultaneously. Find the
probability of getting -
Q.3 One card is drawn from a pack of 52 cards. (i) two tails
Find the probability that the card drawn is red (ii) at least one tail
or king. (iii) no tail

B. Short Answer Type Questions Q.12 On tossing three coins simultaneously, find the
probability of getting -
Q.4 The king, queen and jack of clubs are removed (i) 3 tails
from a deck of 52 playing cards and then well (ii) 2 tails
shuffled. One card is selected from the (iii) No tail
remaining cards. Find the probability of getting (iv) 2 heads and 1 tail
(i) a heart (ii) a king
(v) at least one head
(iii) a club (iv) the ‘10’ of hearts

Q.5 If a coin is tossed two times, what is the Q.13 17 cards numbered 1, 2, 3, ...., 16, 17 are put in
probability of getting ‘head’ at least once ? a box and mixed throughly. One person drawn
a card from the box. Find the probability that
Q.6 A number is chosen at random among the first the number on the card is -
100 natural numbers. Find the probability that
(i) odd
the number chosen being a multiple of 5.
(ii) a prime
Q.7 From a set of 17 cards, numbered 1, 2, ..., 17, (iii) divisible by 3
one is drawn. What is the probability that is (iv) not divisible by 3 and 2 both
number is multiple of 3 or 7 ?
D. Fill in the Blanks Type Question
C. Long Answer Type Questions
Q.14 Fill in the blanks with appropriate correct
Q.8 There are 5 green, 6 black and 7 white balls in
answer-
a bag. A ball it drawn at random from the bag.
(i) A pair of fair dice is thrown and one die
Find the probability that it may be -
shows a four. The probability that the other
(i) a white ball
die shown 5 is .........
(ii) either a green or a black ball
(iii) not a black ball (ii) Probability of a sure event is .........
(iii) Probability of an impossible event is .......
Q.9 A bag contains 4 red and 8 blue marbles. A (iv) The probability of an event (other than sure
marble is drawn at random. What is the and impossible event) lies between ......
probability of drawing (v) A die is rolled once. The probability of
(i) a red marble ? getting a prime number is ........
(ii) a blue marble ?
Q.15 Complete the statement : Q.17 A card is drawn at random from a pack of
(a) Probability of event A + Probability of 52 cards. Find the probability that the card
event 'not A' ......... drawn is
(b) Probability of a 'sure' event is ......... (i) A black king
(c) Probability of an 'impossible' event is ....... (ii) Either a black card or a king
(d) Sum of the probabilities of each outcome (iii) Black and a king
in an experiment is ......... (iv) A jack, queen or a king
(e) Probability of an outcome/ event is greater (v) Neither a heart nor a king
than or equal to ......... and less than or (vi) Spade or an ace
equal to ....... (vii) Neither an ace nor a king.

Q.16 In a simultaneous throw of a pair of dice, find

the probability of getting
(i) 8 as the sum
(ii) A doublet
(iii) A doublet of prime numbers
(iv) A doublet of odd numbers
(v) A sum greater than 9
(vi) An even number on first
(vii)An even number on one and a multiple of
3 on the other
(viii) Neither 9 nor 11 as the sum of the
numbers on the faces
(ix) A sum less than 6
(x) A sum less than 7
(xi) A sum more than 7
 ANSWER KEY

A. VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE :

1 2 7
1. 2. 3.
13 13 13

B. SHORT ANSWER TYPE :

13 3 10 1
4. (i) , (ii) (iii) (iv)
49 49 49 49

3 1 7
5. 6. 7.
4 5 17

C. LONG ANSWER TYPE :

7 11 2
8. (i) (ii) (iii)
18 18 3

1 2 7 8 3 1 3 1
9. (i) (ii) 10. (i) (ii) (iii) 11. (i) (ii) (iii)
3 3 15 15 5 4 4 4

1 3 1 3 7 9 7 5 15
12. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) 13. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
8 8 8 8 8 17 17 17 17

D. FILL IN THE BLANKS TYPE :

1 1
14. (i) (ii) 1 (iii) 0 (iv) 0 and 1 (v)
36 2

15. (a) 1 (b) 1 (c) 0 (d) 1 (e) 0, 1

16. (i) 5/36 (ii) 1/6 (iii) 1/12 (iv) 1/12 (v) 1/6 (vi) 1/2 (vii) 11/36 (viii) 5/6 (ix) 5/18
(x) 5/12 (xi) 5/12
17. (i) 1/26 (ii) 7/13 (iii) 1/26 (iv) 3/13 (v) 9/13 (vi) 9/13 (vii) 11/13
 EXERCISE # 2
Q.1 What is the probability of an impossible Q.10 A coin is tossed twice. What are the possible
event? outcomes ?

Q.2 What is the probability of sure event ? Q.11 A die is thrown twice. What is the number of
possible outcomes ?
Q.3 What is a sample space ?
Q.12 Two dice are thrown once. What is the
Q.4 What is an elementary event ? number of possible outcomes ?

Q.5 What is a compound event ? 4

Q.13 If the probability of winning a game is ,
9
Q.6 What is a complementary event ? what is the probability of its losing ?

Q.7 What are equally likely events ? Q.14 If P(E) = 0.07, what is P( E ) ?

Q.8 State whether the following statements are Q.15 If a die is thrown once, then what is the
true or false : probability of getting
(i) if the probability of an event is 1, then it (i) an even number ?
is an impossible event (ii) a prime number less than 5 ?
(ii) if the probability of an event is 0, then it (iii) a number between 3 and 5 ?
is a sure event. (iv) a number divisible by 3 ?
(iii) the sum of the probabilities of all the
elementary events of an experiment is 1. Q.16 A bag contains 4 blue balls and 3 red balls. A
(iv) the probability of an event is greater than ball is drawn at random from the bag.
or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1. What is the probability that the ball drawn is.
(v) the probability of an event E + the (i) blue ?
probability of the event "not E" = 1. (ii) not blue ball
(vi) the probability of an event can be (iii) red ?
negative (iv) green ?
(vii) the probability of an event can be greater
than 1. Q.17 A box contains 11 cards numbered 1, 2, 3, …
, 11 and are mixed thoroughly. A card is
Q.9 Which of the following experiments have drawn at random from the box. What is the
equally likely outcomes ? probability that the number on the card is
(i) A coin is tossed. It shows head or tail. (i) odd ?
(ii) A driver attempts to start a car. The car (ii) even ?
starts or does not start. (iii) prime ?
(iii) A player attempts to shoot a basket ball. (iv) divisible by 3 ?
He/she shoots or misses the shot.
(vi) A die is thrown. It shows up any of the
six numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Q.18 A card is drawn from a well shuffled pack of Q.20 Two coins are tossed simultaneously. What is
52 playing cards. What is the probability of the probability of getting two tails ?
getting ?
(i) a king ? Q.21 Two dice are thrown simultaneously. What is
(ii) not a king ? the probability of getting sum of the
(iii) a red queen ? numbers 2 ?
(iv) a face card ?
(v) a black face card ?
(vi) a black card ?

Q.19 Rashmi has a die whose six faces show the

letters as given below :
A B C D A C
She throws the die once. What is the
probability of getting.
(i) A ? (ii) B ?
 ANSWER KEY

1. 0 2. 1
8. (i) False (ii) False (iii) True (iv) True (v) True (vi) False (vii) False
9. The experiments (i) and (iv) have equally likely outcomes.
10. If H and T denote head and tail respectively, then possible outcomes are HH, HT, TH, TT
11. 36 12. 36 13. 5/9 14. 0.93
1 1 1 1 4 3 3
15. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 16. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 0
2 3 6 3 7 7 7
6 5 5 3 1 12 1 3 3 1
17. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 18. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi)
11 11 11 11 13 13 26 13 26 2
1 1 1 1
19. (i) (ii) 20. 21.
3 6 4 36