Bunuel
Mario and Nina each have a bag of marbles, each of which contains 4 blue marbles, 10 red marbles, and 6 white marbles. If Mario and Nina each select one marble from their respective bags, what is the probability that either Mario or Nina select a red marble?
A. 3/4
B. 2/4
C. 1/4
D. 1/8
E. 1/16
The key word here is "either".
we have two ways in which either Mario or Nina can select a red marble.
i.e.
Ether
Mario selects a red marble and Nina selects 0 Red marbles
or Mario select 0 red marbles and Nina selects one Red marble
Now if,
probability of Mario selecting a red marble = PM(R1)
probability of Nina selecting 0 Red marbles = PN(R0)
probability of Mario selecting 0 red marbles = PM(R0)
probability of Nina selecting a red marble = PN(R1)
then, in other words
Probability of getting a red by either Mario or Nina = PM(R1)*PN(R0) + PM(R0)*PN(R1)
EACH bag contains 4 blue marbles, 10 red marbles, and 6 white marbles
Probability of getting a red ball P(R) = [number of red balls] / [total number of balls] = 10/[4+10+6] = 10/20 = 1/2
We know that,
Probability of not getting a red ball P(R') = 1 - Probability of getting a red ball = 1 - P(R) = 1-[1/2] = 1/2
This is true for both Mario and Nina
Hence,
probability of Mario selecting a red marble = PM(R1) = 1/2
probability of Nina selecting 0 Red marbles = PN(R0) = 1/2
probability of Mario selecting 0 red marbles = PM(R0) = 1/2
probability of Nina selecting a red marble = PN(R1) = 1/2
Probability of getting a red by either Mario or Nina = PM(R1)*PN(R0) + PM(R0)*PN(R1) = ([1/2] *[1/2]) + ([1/2] *[1/2]) = 1/4 + 1/4 = 2*[1/4] = 2/4