Probability

This topic has expert replies
Legendary Member
Posts: 2218
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:04 pm
Followed by:6 members

Probability

by swerve » Thu May 25, 2023 5:03 pm

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

A basket contains \(5\) apples, of which \(1\) is spoiled and the rest are good. If Henry is to select \(2\) apples from the basket simultaneously and at random, what is the probability that the \(2\) apples selected will include the spoiled apple?

A. \(1/5\)

B. \(3/10\)

C. \(2/5\)

D. \(1/2\)

E. \(3/5\)

The OA is C

[spoiler]Source: GMAT Prep[/spoiler]

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

Re: Probability

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Fri May 26, 2023 5:57 pm
swerve wrote:
Thu May 25, 2023 5:03 pm
A basket contains \(5\) apples, of which \(1\) is spoiled and the rest are good. If Henry is to select \(2\) apples from the basket simultaneously and at random, what is the probability that the \(2\) apples selected will include the spoiled apple?

A. \(1/5\)

B. \(3/10\)

C. \(2/5\)

D. \(1/2\)

E. \(3/5\)

The OA is C

[spoiler]Source: GMAT Prep[/spoiler]
Since there are so few objects involved (5 apples), we should be able to quickly answer the question by simply listing and counting

Let A, B, C, D, and E represent the 5 apples, and let E represent the SPOILED APPLE

We want to select 2 apples at random. So, let's list all of the possible outcomes:
1) AB
2) AC
3) AD
4) AE
5) BC
6) BD
7) BE
8) CD
9) CE
10) DE

So, there are 10 possible outcomes
Of those 10 possible outcomes, 4 outcomes include the SPOILED APPLE

So, P(selection includes the spoiled apple) = 4/10 = 2/5

Answer: C
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image