If a fair dice is rolled three times, what is the

Question

If a fair dice is rolled three times, what is the probability that the product of the numbers rolled is even?

gmat800 · Answer

Product will be even when atleast one roll gives E...ie either 1E n 2Odds....2E n 1 O...or 3 E

1E 2O=(1/2)*(1*2)*!1/2)*3......coz 3 ways....EOO,OEO,OEE(in 3 throws)...=3/8

2E 1O=3/8 as above

3E=1/8


so prob that prod is E=(3/8)+(3/8)+(1/8)=7/8

did i go wrong.....OA plz!

Paul · Answer

I somehow read that 3 dice were thrown 3 times at first

I got 1/2 Product will be odd whenever we have 1 or 3 odd dice This sums up to (1/2)^3 * 3C1 + (1/2)^3 * 3C3 1/8 * 3 + 1/8 * 1 3/8 + 1/8 = 1/2 Prob of even sum is 1 - 1/2 = 1/2 When you think of it, the choices you have for odd/even dice are: OOE EEO EEE OOO Basically, no calculation is really needed as you have half the chance out of all possibilities to have 1 odd and 3 odd

gmat800 · Answer

I donno i still feel it is 7/8.......prod of the 3 nos is supp to be Even...........i.e. ATLEAST One throw has to show an even number........which is 1- Probability of 3 Odds.....which is again 1/(1/8)=7/8..........

hardworker_indian · Answer

pb that the product is even 
= 1 - pb that the product is odd
= 1 - pb that all the three entries were odd
= 1 - 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2
= 7/8

ywilfred · Answer

Possibilites is EOO
 EEO
 EEE
 OOO
 
P(E) = 1/2
P(O) = 1/2

P(E) and P(O) are independent events.

So P(EOO) = 1/8
 P(EEO) = 1/8
 P(EEE) = 1/8
 P(OOO) = 1/8
 
 All 4 events are not mutually exclusive, so we can just add them up.
 
 P(Product is even) = 1/2

hardworker_indian · Answer

Oops, I forgot that one odd dice could also end up in odd product. Paul's explanation says it all. Ans should be 1/2

rahul · Answer

I don't know if my way of solvingth eproblem is right or wrong .
Please correct me guys .

If 1 of the 3 outcome is even , then obviously the product is even .

first time P(Even) = 3/6 = 1/2
second P(Any) = 6/6 = 1
Third p(Any) = 6 /6 

1/2 * 1* 1 = 1/2

Nitinag · Answer

Rahul - you are mistaken in assuming that even number will be rolled only the first time around.


Now you have rightly assumed that prob. of even number rolling out the first time is 1/2. 
BUT - when the odd number is rolled the first time around - the probability is 1/2...in that case ALSO we may get a even number if an even number is rolled either the second or the third time. So we got to add to the answer you got....

Thus the probability according to your method is
1/2 x 1 x 1 = 1/2 as you calculated plus - 1/2 x 1/2 x 1 (Even second time). plus 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 (even 3rd time but not second time)

Thus the total is - 4/8 plus 2/8 plus 1/8 = 7/8. Hope this helps....

twixt · Answer

P= 1 - Probability to have no even number in the 3 rolls.

No even = 1/2.1/2.1/2=1/8

so P=7/8

Paul · Answer

You also have to substract the probability of "2 even numbers" because when you have 1 odd die, the product will also be odd

crackgmat3 · Answer

7/8 - is the answer.

Anyone would like to explain it.

Paul · Answer

Hmm, basic mistake

How could I assume that odd*even*even (4*2*1 = 6 --> even!) will give an odd?! 7/8 it is.

If a fair dice is rolled three times, what is the

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards