If the probability is 0.54 that stock A will increase in value during the next month and the probability is 0.68 that stock B will increase in value during the next month, what is the greatest possible value for the probability that neither of these 2 events will occur?
A) 0.22
B) 0.32
C) 0.37
D) 0.46
E) 0.63
Ans: B;
Can someone help me solve this ?
GMAT Prep Exam Pack 1 Test - Probability Question
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We want to make it AS HARD AS POSSIBLE for A and/or B to occur.s777 wrote:If the probability is 0.54 that stock A will increase in value during the next month and the probability is 0.68 that stock B will increase in value during the next month, what is the greatest possible value for the probability that neither of these 2 events will occur?
A) 0.22
B) 0.32
C) 0.37
D) 0.46
E) 0.63
Strategy:
Make one of the probabilities DEPENDENT on the other.
In other words, make it so that one of the events can't happen UNLESS the other event happens.
Let's rephrase the problem so that one of the probabilities is more clearly dependent on the other.
Since the non-dependent event does NOT require the other event -- making it EASIER for the non-dependent event to happen -- the non-dependent event must have the GREATER of the two probabilities.
Let B = John buys a lottery ticket.
P(B) = 0.68.
Let A = John wins the lottery.
P(A) = 0.54.
Here, the probability of A is clearly dependent on the probability of B: John can win the lottery only if he first buys a ticket.
Question rephrased:
If John DOESN'T buy a lottery ticket, then NEITHER event (buying a ticket, winning the lottery) occurs.If the probability that John wins the lottery is 0.54, and the probability that John buys a lottery ticket is 0.68, what is the greatest possible value for the probability that neither of these two events will occur?
A. 0.22
B. 0.32
C. 0.37
D. 0.46
E. 0.63
P(John doesn't buy a lottery ticket) = 1 - 0.68 = 0.32.
The correct answer is B.
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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