Probability

Hi Roland2rule,

We're told that a clown can make 4 different balloon animals (giraffe, dog, elephant, or monkey) and has five colors of balloons to choose from (red, yellow, blue, green, and purple). We're also told that the clown is just as likely to make any one of the animals and choose any one color. We're asked for the probability that the clown will make a purple elephant.

Since there 4 different animals and 5 different colors, there are (4)(5) = 20 potential 1-color animals that can be made. Thus the probability of making a purple elephant is 1/20.

Final Answer: B

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

BTGmoderatorRO wrote:A circus clown is entertaining kids by making balloon animals. The clown can make any one the following animals: giraffe, dog, elephant, or monkey. The clown has five colors of balloons to choose from: red, yellow, blue, green, and purple. If the clown is just as likely to make any one of the animals and choose any one color, what is the probability that the clown will make a purple elephant?
1/24
1/20
2/15
3/20
1/8

As with many probability questions, we can solve this by using counting techniques or rules of probability.

Let's use rules of probability
P(balloon animal is an elephant) = 1/4 [since there are 4 possible animals and 1 is an elephant]
P(balloon animal is purple) = 1/5 [since there are 5 possible colors and 1 is purple]

P(clown makes a purple elephant balloon animal) = P(balloon animal is elephant AND balloon animal is purple)
= P(balloon animal is elephant) x P(balloon animal is purple)
= 1/4 x 1/5
= 1/20

Answer: B

Cheers,
Brent