Probability
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Got a PM to reply on this thread.danjuma wrote:A drawer contains 8 socks and 2 socks are selected at random without replacement. What is the probability that both socks are black?
1. The probability is < 0.2 that the first sock is black.
2. The probability is more than 0.8 that the first sock is white.
Can one use the probability formula for this type of question?
Thank you
Total no. of socks in the drawer = 8
Since we do not how many black socks are there, so let the no. of black socks = B
Similarly, let the no. of white socks = W
(1) Probability of picking a black sock = B/8
Now it is given that B/8 < 0.2 or B < 1.6, which means that either there is 1 black socks or 0 black sock. In either case, probability of picking 2 black socks = 0; SUFFICIENT to answer the question.
(2) Probability of picking a white sock = W/8
So, W/8 > 0.8 or W > 6.4, which implies there can be either 7 or 8 white socks in the drawer. If there are 7 white socks, then there is only 1 black socks and in case there are 8 white socks, then the black sock is 0. So, in either case the required probability is again 0; SUFFICIENT to answer the question.
The correct answer is D.
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- amit2k9
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clean D both the cases black socks = 1 or less.
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No where in the question does it say that the drawer contains ONLY Black and White socks right?
So, the answer should be A, right?
With B, what if there is a blue socks and a yellow socks?
So, the answer should be A, right?
With B, what if there is a blue socks and a yellow socks?
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In that case also we will get P(Two black socks)=0 because if 7 are white and rest one is yellow or pink or whatever color, then from where we will draw black sock. I think you got it....mourinhogmat1 wrote:No where in the question does it say that the drawer contains ONLY Black and White socks right?
So, the answer should be A, right?
With B, what if there is a blue socks and a yellow socks?
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I will go for (D)
Nice explanation.
Nice explanation.
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Yes the correct answer does come out to be D. I made some difficulty in calculating the statement 1 of this question...
Otherwise the whole question was ok....
Otherwise the whole question was ok....
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Difficult for me
but was able to know both options are telling the same so guess would be D
Nice explanations though
but was able to know both options are telling the same so guess would be D
Nice explanations though
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OA is D
why?
if x is the no of black shocks then P(x) as per questions will be x/8*x-1/8 where x >= 2
A. x/8 < 0.2 ie x < 1.6 or x = 0 or 1 , in that case P(x) = 0
B. y/ 8 < 0.8 ie y = 7 or 8 ie x = 1 or 0 , again same
why?
if x is the no of black shocks then P(x) as per questions will be x/8*x-1/8 where x >= 2
A. x/8 < 0.2 ie x < 1.6 or x = 0 or 1 , in that case P(x) = 0
B. y/ 8 < 0.8 ie y = 7 or 8 ie x = 1 or 0 , again same
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D is the Answer.
STATEMENT I:
P(FIRST BLACK) = 1/8
P(TWO BLACKs) = 0
STATEMENT II:
P(FIRST WHITE)=7/8 which implies P(FIRST BLACK) = 1/8 or 0/8
i.e. P(TWO BLACKs) = 0
STATEMENT I:
P(FIRST BLACK) = 1/8
P(TWO BLACKs) = 0
STATEMENT II:
P(FIRST WHITE)=7/8 which implies P(FIRST BLACK) = 1/8 or 0/8
i.e. P(TWO BLACKs) = 0
- jaspreetsra
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A drawer contains 8 socks and 2 socks are selected at random without replacement. What is the probability that both socks are black?
1. The probability is less than 0.2 that the first sock is black.
2. The probability is more than 0.8 that the first sock is white.
Not good at probability Qs.
1. The probability is less than 0.2 that the first sock is black.
2. The probability is more than 0.8 that the first sock is white.
Not good at probability Qs.
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Hi jaspreetsra,
In this types of probability-based DS questions, it's important to be a little cynical. Ask yourself "what was I really told?", be prepared to take lots of little notes (stay organized) and be prepared to go to extremes.
Here, we're told that there are 8 socks and that 2 are selected at random without replacement. We're asked for the probability that they're BOTH BLACK. To start, we do NOT know what color the 8 socks are. Maybe they're all 1 color, maybe they're 2 colors,....maybe they're 8 different colors...
Now, imagine if there are...
NO black socks at all, then the probability is 0%
JUST 1 black sock, then the probability is still 0%
ALL black socks, then the probability is 100%
2 or more black socks will require us to do an actual calculation.
Fact 1: The probability is LESS than .2 (meaning less than 20%) that the first sock is black
Here, we have to focus on pulling that 1st sock.
0/8 = 0
1/8 = .125
2/8 = .25
3/8 = .375
Etc.
Since the probability is LESS than .2, there are only 2 possibilities:
1 black sock....so the probability of pulling 2 black socks is 0%
or
0 black socks...so the probability of pulling 2 black socks is 0%
Under these conditions, the probability is ALWAYS 0%
Fact 1 is SUFFICIENT
Fact 2: The probability is MORE than .8 that the first sock is white.
This is essentially the same information that we had in Fact 1:
6/8 = .75
7/8 = .875
8/8 = 1
This tells us that 7 OR 8 of the socks are white (meaning they are NOT black)
7 white socks --> 0 or 1 BLACK socks --> probability of pulling 2 black socks = 0%
8 white socks --> 0 BLACK socks --> probability of pulling 2 black socks = 0%
Under these conditions, the probability is ALWAYS 0%
Fact 2 is SUFFICIENT
Final Answer: D
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Rich
In this types of probability-based DS questions, it's important to be a little cynical. Ask yourself "what was I really told?", be prepared to take lots of little notes (stay organized) and be prepared to go to extremes.
Here, we're told that there are 8 socks and that 2 are selected at random without replacement. We're asked for the probability that they're BOTH BLACK. To start, we do NOT know what color the 8 socks are. Maybe they're all 1 color, maybe they're 2 colors,....maybe they're 8 different colors...
Now, imagine if there are...
NO black socks at all, then the probability is 0%
JUST 1 black sock, then the probability is still 0%
ALL black socks, then the probability is 100%
2 or more black socks will require us to do an actual calculation.
Fact 1: The probability is LESS than .2 (meaning less than 20%) that the first sock is black
Here, we have to focus on pulling that 1st sock.
0/8 = 0
1/8 = .125
2/8 = .25
3/8 = .375
Etc.
Since the probability is LESS than .2, there are only 2 possibilities:
1 black sock....so the probability of pulling 2 black socks is 0%
or
0 black socks...so the probability of pulling 2 black socks is 0%
Under these conditions, the probability is ALWAYS 0%
Fact 1 is SUFFICIENT
Fact 2: The probability is MORE than .8 that the first sock is white.
This is essentially the same information that we had in Fact 1:
6/8 = .75
7/8 = .875
8/8 = 1
This tells us that 7 OR 8 of the socks are white (meaning they are NOT black)
7 white socks --> 0 or 1 BLACK socks --> probability of pulling 2 black socks = 0%
8 white socks --> 0 BLACK socks --> probability of pulling 2 black socks = 0%
Under these conditions, the probability is ALWAYS 0%
Fact 2 is SUFFICIENT
Final Answer: D
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
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statement 1 - probability of black socks < 0.2 so number of black sock can be 0 or 1
then probability of 2 black socks is always 0 - SUFFICIENT
statement 2 - probability of white socks > 0.8 so number of white sock can be 7 or 8
then black socks can be 1 or 0
so probability of 2 black socks is always 0 - SUFFICIENT
Answer is D
then probability of 2 black socks is always 0 - SUFFICIENT
statement 2 - probability of white socks > 0.8 so number of white sock can be 7 or 8
then black socks can be 1 or 0
so probability of 2 black socks is always 0 - SUFFICIENT
Answer is D
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In DS, Variable approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem.
Remember equal number of variables and equations ensures a solution.
In the original condition, there are 2 variables and 1 equation in w(white)+b(black)=8, thus it is likely that D is the answer. In actual calculation, we get bC1/8C1<0.2==> b/8<0.2==> b<0.2*8=1.6, b=1(because b=integer). Thus the answer is D
If you know our own innovative logics to find the answer, you don't need to actually solve the problem.
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Remember equal number of variables and equations ensures a solution.
In the original condition, there are 2 variables and 1 equation in w(white)+b(black)=8, thus it is likely that D is the answer. In actual calculation, we get bC1/8C1<0.2==> b/8<0.2==> b<0.2*8=1.6, b=1(because b=integer). Thus the answer is D
If you know our own innovative logics to find the answer, you don't need to actually solve the problem.
www.mathrevolution.com
- The one-and-only World's First Variable Approach for DS and IVY Approach for PS that allow anyone to easily solve GMAT math questions.
- The easy-to-use solutions. Math skills are totally irrelevant. Forget conventional ways of solving math questions.
- The most effective time management for GMAT math to date allowing you to solve 37 questions with 10 minutes to spare
- Hitting a score of 45 is very easy and points and 49-51 is also doable.
- Unlimited Access to over 120 free video lessons at https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson
- Our advertising video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_Fki3_2vO8