Given: The probability that a random ball take from the bag is blue < 2/5
What the probability of taking a blue ball? 12/(12+y) (desired outcome/total possibilities)
So, from the inputs given, 12/(12+y) < 2/5 ==> 12+y > 30 ==> y > 18. Since the question is asking for least number of yellow balls, the answer has to 19.
Good question. Thanks for posting.