Bunuel wrote:
A container contains 4 red marbles and 8 blue marbles. A second container contains 6 red marbles and x blue marbles. One marble is drawn from each of the two containers. If the probability of drawing a pair of marbles of the same color is 1/2, what is the value of x?
A. 0
B. 4
C. 6
D. 10
E. 12
We can PLUG IN THE ANSWERS, which represent the value of x.
The probability of drawling 2 of the same color = P(both marbles are red) or P(both marbles are blue) = P(RR) + P(BB).
When the correct answer is plugged in, we get:
\(P(RR) + P(BB) = \frac{1}{2}\)
B: 4 --> 1st container = 4 red and 8 blue, 2nd container = 6 red and 4 blue
\(P(RR) + P(BB) = (\frac{4}{12} * \frac{6}{10}) + (\frac{8}{12} * \frac{4}{10}) = \frac{3}{15} + \frac{4}{15} = \frac{7}{15}\)
Here, the resulting probability is less than \(\frac{1}{2}\)and thus is TOO SMALL.
D: 10 --> 1st container = 4 red and 8 blue, 2nd container = 6 red and 10 blue
\(P(RR) + P(BB) = (\frac{4}{12} * \frac{6}{16} + (\frac{8}{12} * \frac{4}{16}) = \frac{3}{24} + \frac{10}{24} = \frac{13}{24}\)
Here, the resulting probability is greater than \(\frac{1}{2}\) and thus is TOO BIG.
Since B yields a result that is TOO SMALL, while D yields a result that is TOO BIG, the correct answer must between B and D.
C: 6 --> 1st container = 4 red and 8 blue, 2nd container = 6 red and 6 blue
\(P(RR) + P(BB) = (\frac{4}{12} * \frac{6}{12}) + (\frac{8}{12} * \frac{6}{12}) = \frac{1}{6} + \frac{2}{6} = \frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2}\)
Success!