Probability

Expert replies

karthikpandian19: Legendary Member; Posts: 1665; Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:04 pmFollowed by: 70 members; Thanked: 165 times

by karthikpandian19 » Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:55 pm

Andy and Bob play a game in which a computer randomly selects two real numbers between 0 and 10. Andy's score is the sum of the numbers and Bob's score is one more than the product of the numbers. If the person with the higher score wins the game, what is the probability that Bob wins?

A. 18%
B. 19%
C. 68%
D. 82%
E. 90%

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:55 pm

user123321: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 385; Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:02 pmFollowed by: 6 members; Thanked: 62 times

by user123321 » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:23 pm

let x and y numbers you will get when they start playing
Bob's equation is xy+1
Andy's equation is x+y
and 0<x<10,0<y<10

From question Bob wins if only his sum is greater than Andy's
=> xy+1>x+y
=> xy-x-y+1>0
=> (x-1)(y-1)>0
=>x-1>0,y-1>0 (or) x-1<0,y-1<0

consider x-1>0,y-1>0 & we know from question 0<x<10,0<y<10
so x,y have values from 2 to 10 to have above equations to be satisfied
=> we have 1<x<10, 1<y<10
9 intervals*9 intervals = 81 of total possible possibilities
(here i am not getting how to express this

because x,y are real numbers)

consider x-1<0,y-1<0 & we know from question 0<x<10,0<y<10
so x,y have just one value 0<x<1,0<y<1 => we have 1 interval*1 interval= 1 of total possibilities

So on the whole we have 81+1 = 82 possibilities

And total number of possibilities are 10 intervals*10 intervals= 100

should be 82% IMO

this problem looks weirdly good one. OA please?

user123321

Just started my preparation

Want to do it right the first time.

Like this post

rijul007: Legendary Member; Posts: 588; Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:42 amFollowed by: 9 members; Location: New Delhi, India; Thanked: 130 times; GMAT Score:720

by rijul007 » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:27 pm

Total no of ways computer can select two nos = 11C2 = 55

Case 1: one of the numbers selected is 0
0,1 = No1 wins
0,2-10 = Andy wins

Case 2 : one fo the nos is 1
1,2 = No1 wins
1+n = 1*n + 1
No one wins

Case 3: one of the nos is 2
2,3
2+3 = 5
2*3 + 1 = 7
Bob wins
SAme for rest of the selections

No of selections in which Bob can win:
2,3-10 (8 pairs)
3,4-10(7pairs)
4,5-10(6pairs)
.
.
.

=> 8+7+..1 = 8(2+7)/2 = 36

Prob = 36/55 *100 = 65

Option C is the closest
So IMO:C

Like this post

rijul007: Legendary Member; Posts: 588; Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:42 amFollowed by: 9 members; Location: New Delhi, India; Thanked: 130 times; GMAT Score:720

by rijul007 » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:31 pm

Crap.. i didnt notice between 0 and 10

Like this post

rijul007: Legendary Member; Posts: 588; Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:42 amFollowed by: 9 members; Location: New Delhi, India; Thanked: 130 times; GMAT Score:720

by rijul007 » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:37 pm

user123321 wrote:let x and y numbers you will get when they start playing
Bob's equation is xy+1
Andy's equation is x+y
and 0<x<10,0<y<10

From question Bob wins if only his sum is greater than Andy's
=> xy+1>x+y
=> xy-x-y+1>0
=> (x-1)(y-1)>0
=>x-1>0,y-1>0 (or) x-1<0,y-1<0

consider x-1>0,y-1>0 & we know from question 0<x<10,0<y<10
so x,y have values from 2 to 10 to have above equations to be satisfied
=> we have 1<x<10, 1<y<10
9 intervals*9 intervals = 81 of total possible possibilities
(here i am not getting how to express this because x,y are real numbers)

consider x-1<0,y-1<0 & we know from question 0<x<10,0<y<10
so x,y have just one value 0<x<1,0<y<1 => we have 1 interval*1 interval= 1 of total possibilities

So on the whole we have 81+1 = 82 possibilities

And total number of possibilities are 10 intervals*10 intervals= 100

should be 82% IMO

this problem looks weirdly good one. OA please?

user123321

9*9 will get you total no of arrangements
while computer is just selecting two nos
3,5 is the same as 5,3

Like this post

user123321: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 385; Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:02 pmFollowed by: 6 members; Thanked: 62 times

by user123321 » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:52 pm

here i am not getting how to express that.

hmm...in other words i will try to explain
(x-1)(y-1)>0
x>1,y>1
so we have the product (x-1)(y-1) value ranging from 0 to 81 => 81 intervals

//ly x<1,y<1
so we have the product (x-1)(y-1) value ranging from 0 to 1=> 1 interval

but from given 0<x<10,0<y<10
so we have the product xy value ranging from 0 to 100 => 100 intervals

so probability = (81+1)/100 = 82%
but i am not so sure whether it is propoer or not.

user123321

Just started my preparation

Want to do it right the first time.

Like this post

GMATGuruNY: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 15539; Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 13060 times; GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:54 am

karthikpandian19 wrote:Andy and Bob play a game in which a computer randomly selects two real numbers between 0 and 10. Andy's score is the sum of the numbers and Bob's score is one more than the product of the numbers. If the person with the higher score wins the game, what is the probability that Bob wins?

A. 18%
B. 19%
C. 68%
D. 82%
E. 90%

Let the two numbers = x and y.

P(Bob wins) = 1 - P(Adam wins).
(*Please see the disclaimer below.)

P(Adam wins):
Adam wins when x + y > xy + 1:
y-1 > xy - x
y-1 > x(y-1)
x(y-1) - (y-1) < 0
(y-1)(x-1) < 0.

The inequality is valid when y<1 and x>1 (yielding negative*positive) or y>1 and x<1 (yielding positive*negative).

Since the total range is from 0 to 10:
P(x<1 and y>1) = 1/10 * 9/10 = 9/100.
P(x>1 and y<1) = 9/10 * 1/10 = 9/100.
Since Adam wins in either case, we add the fractions:
P(Adam wins) = 9/100 + 9/100 = 18/100.

Thus, P(Bob wins) = 1 - 18/100 = 82/100.

The correct answer is D.

Disclaimer:
If either number = 1, the result will be a draw, since the sum will be equal to one more than the product:
x + 1 = x(1) + 1.
Since there are an infinite number of real numbers between 0 and 10, P(1) is infinitely small.
Thus, the solution above ignores this probability.

Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

Like this post

user123321: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 385; Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:02 pmFollowed by: 6 members; Thanked: 62 times

by user123321 » Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:34 am

Nice explanation Mitch.

user123321

Just started my preparation

Want to do it right the first time.

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

559 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review