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Bunuel
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Elvin has sent wish lists to both Santa and Mrs. Claus. What is the probability that he will receive gifts from neither of them?

We have:

{Santa only} + {Mrs. Claus only} + {Both} + {Neither} = 1

The question asks to find the probability of {Neither}.

(1) The probability that he will receive gifts from both Santa and Mrs. Claus is \(\frac{1}{4}\).

This implies that {Both} = \(\frac{1}{4}\). Not sufficient.

(2) The probability that he will receive gifts from exactly one of them is three times the probability that he will receive gifts from both.

This implies that {Santa only} + {Mrs. Claus only} = 3*{Both}. Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) Since from (1) {Both} = \(\frac{1}{4}\) and from (2) {Santa only} + {Mrs. Claus only} = 3*{Both}, then {Santa only} + {Mrs. Claus only} = \(\frac{3}{4}\). Thus, we have that \(\frac{3}{4} + \frac{1}{4} + \text{{Neither}} = 1\), which yields {Neither} = 0. Of course, Elvin won't be left without gifts on Christmas! Sufficient.

Answer: C
Hi Bunuel KarishmaB

In the second option, I thought P(exactly one) = P(A∩B’) + P(B∩A’)

Can you please explain why this reasoning is incorrect? Can you also please confirm whether events being independed or not play any role here?

P(Santa only) = P(A ∩ B′) and P(Mrs. Claus only) = P(B ∩ A′). The solution uses the same logic, just with simpler notation.

Getting gifts from Santa and Mrs. Claus are independent events.
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Bunuel
Elvin has sent wish lists to both Santa and Mrs. Claus. What is the probability that he will receive gifts from neither of them?



(1) The probability that he will receive gifts from both Santa and Mrs. Claus is \(\frac{1}{4}\).

(2) The probability that he will receive gifts from exactly one of them is three times the probability that he will receive gifts from both.
What is wrong here Bunuel please help



From 2 statement

P(a)+P(C)=2P(b)

and P(a)+P(b)+P(c)+P(d)=1

4P(b)=1
which gives P(b)=1/4

hence P(a)+P(c)= 3/4 (3 times)

so P(d)=0

It is being inferred from 2nd statement only.
Attachment:
GMAT-Club-Forum-oi4on0ag.png
GMAT-Club-Forum-oi4on0ag.png [ 4.49 KiB | Viewed 873 times ]
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Bunuel
Elvin has sent wish lists to both Santa and Mrs. Claus. What is the probability that he will receive gifts from neither of them?



(1) The probability that he will receive gifts from both Santa and Mrs. Claus is \(\frac{1}{4}\).

(2) The probability that he will receive gifts from exactly one of them is three times the probability that he will receive gifts from both.
What is wrong here Bunuel please help



From 2 statement

P(a)+P(C)=2P(b)

and P(a)+P(b)+P(c)+P(d)=1

4P(b)=1
which gives P(b)=1/4

hence P(a)+P(c)= 3/4 (3 times)

so P(d)=0

It is being inferred from 2nd statement only.
Attachment:
GMAT-Club-Forum-oi4on0ag.png

Where is P(d) there? It should be 4P(b) + P(d) = 1.
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