Here's the question cut and pasted:
There are 10 light bulbs and fewer than half are defective. If n is the number of defective light bulbs, what is the value of n if the probability that one of the bulbs will be defective and the other will not be = 7/15?
Ok, with that said, this is a difficult
simultaneous probability question.
The question is giving you two scenarios. The first one, you pick a defective light bulb and THEN a non-defective light bulb. Consider this P(A) * P(B). In the second scenario, you pick a good light bulb on the first try and THEN a defective light bulb. Consider this P(B) * P(A).
Now that you have the two equations, you will need to ADD them together. Why? Because either/OR will work, and whenever you see the word "or", think: addition. (When you see the word "and", think multiply)
Let's set up the full equation:
[P(A) * P(B)] + [P(B) * P(A)]
Let's try n=3.
(3/10 * 7/9) + (7/10 * 3/9)
= 21/90 + 21/90
= 42/90
= 7/15
Why is the denominator a "9" in the second piece of each multiplication? Well, if you take 1 light bulb out of a batch of 10, then on the second try, how many light bulbs do you have to choose from? Right, you have 9. Consider this a probability without replacement simultaneous equation.
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