Last visit was: 08 May 2026, 03:04 It is currently 08 May 2026, 03:04
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
User avatar
broall
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Oct 2016
Last visit: 07 Apr 2021
Posts: 1,132
Own Kudos:
7,393
 [11]
Given Kudos: 65
Status:Long way to go!
Location: Viet Nam
Posts: 1,132
Kudos: 7,393
 [11]
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books 11 Dec 2016, 05:39
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
10
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
00:00
Start Timer
Pause Timer
Resume Timer
Show Answer
Hide
Show
History
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

25% (medium)

Question Stats:

79% (01:50) correct 21% (02:33) wrong based on 236 sessions

History

Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books. Jane takes one randomly, then Anna takes one book randomly. Finally, John takes one of remaining on the table. What is the probability that Jane and Anna take mathematics books and John takes literature books?

A. 18/91
B. 15/91
C. 7/45
D. 8/15
E. 45/91
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
B
User avatar
vitaliyGMAT
User avatar
Joined: 13 Oct 2016
Last visit: 26 Jul 2017
Posts: 297
Own Kudos:
895
 [3]
Given Kudos: 40
GPA: 3.98
Posts: 297
Kudos: 895
 [3]
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books 11 Dec 2016, 09:09
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi

Thanks for posting new questions.

\(P(math)*P(math)|math*P(lit)|math,math = \frac{10}{15} * \frac{9}{14} * \frac{5}{13} = \frac{15}{91}\)

Answer B.
User avatar
Abhishek009
User avatar
Board of Directors
Joined: 11 Jun 2011
Last visit: 17 Dec 2025
Posts: 5,902
Own Kudos:
5,462
 [1]
Given Kudos: 463
Status:QA & VA Forum Moderator
Location: India
GPA: 3.5
WE:Business Development (Commercial Banking)
Posts: 5,902
Kudos: 5,462
 [1]
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books 11 Dec 2016, 12:13
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
nguyendinhtuong
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books. Jane takes one randomly, then Anna takes one book randomly. Finally, John takes one of remaining on the table. What is the probability that Jane and Anna take mathematics books and John takes literature books?

A. 18/91
B. 15/91
C. 7/45
D. 8/15
E. 45/91
Show more

Probability that Jane takes out a mathematics book = \(\frac{10}{15}\)
Probability that Anna takes out a mathematics book = \(\frac{9}{14}\)
Probability that John takes out a mathematics book = \(\frac{5}{13}\)

So, the probability that Jane and Anna take mathematics books and John takes literature books is \(\frac{10}{15}\)*\(\frac{9}{14}\)*\(\frac{5}{13}\) = \(\frac{15}{91}\)

Hence, answer will be (B)
User avatar
ScottTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Last visit: 07 May 2026
Posts: 22,326
Own Kudos:
26,573
 [1]
Given Kudos: 302
Status:Founder & CEO
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Location: United States (CA)
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 22,326
Kudos: 26,573
 [1]
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books 13 Dec 2016, 17:46
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
nguyendinhtuong
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books. Jane takes one randomly, then Anna takes one book randomly. Finally, John takes one of remaining on the table. What is the probability that Jane and Anna take mathematics books and John takes literature books?

A. 18/91
B. 15/91
C. 7/45
D. 8/15
E. 45/91
Show more

We are given that there are 10 math and 5 literature books. We need to determine the probability of Jane selecting a math book, then Anna selecting a math book, and then John selecting a literature book.

Since there are 15 total books and 10 math books, the probability of Jane selecting a math book is 10/15 = 2/3. Since there are now 14 books left, of which 9 are math books, the probability of Anna selecting a math book is 9/14. Finally, since there are 13 books left, of which 5 are literature books, the probability of John selecting a literature book is 5/13.

Thus, the final probability is: 2/3 x 9/14 x 5/13 = 1 x 3/7 x 5/13 = 15/91.

Answer: B
avatar
Alarin101
avatar
Joined: 09 Feb 2017
Last visit: 26 Jan 2020
Posts: 3
Own Kudos:
2
 [1]
Given Kudos: 42
Posts: 3
Kudos: 2
 [1]
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books 14 Apr 2017, 12:59
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I can't get the same answer using the Combinatorial approach, could anyone please show me how to use it to get the right answer?
avatar
joondez
avatar
Joined: 01 Nov 2016
Last visit: 06 Mar 2019
Posts: 39
Own Kudos:
71
Given Kudos: 70
Concentration: Technology, Operations
Posts: 39
Kudos: 71
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books 16 Apr 2017, 11:00
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Alarin101
I can't get the same answer using the Combinatorial approach, could anyone please show me how to use it to get the right answer?
Show more

I don't think you can use combinatorial approach, because order matters in this question. They are very specific than Jane goes first, and then Ana, and then John.
User avatar
MBAHOUSE
User avatar
MBA House Admissions Consultant
Joined: 26 May 2022
Last visit: 23 Apr 2024
Posts: 337
Own Kudos:
99
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 337
Kudos: 99
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books 18 Oct 2022, 10:59
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books. Jane takes one randomly, then Anna takes one book randomly. Finally, John takes one of remaining on the table. What is the probability that Jane and Anna take mathematics books and John takes literature books?

A. 18/91
B. 15/91
C. 7/45
D. 8/15
E. 45/91
Attachments

57CC904A-3BAA-4480-9F32-718BDBC93FA5.jpeg
57CC904A-3BAA-4480-9F32-718BDBC93FA5.jpeg [ 536.67 KiB | Viewed 1910 times ]

User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 39,030
Own Kudos:
1,123
Posts: 39,030
Kudos: 1,123
On the table, there are 10 mathematics books and 5 literature books 20 Feb 2025, 01:04
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Bunuel
Math Expert
110185 posts
Krunaal
Tuck School Moderator
852 posts