this what i think can be the ans...
probability that both can meet = probability that both come b/w 2 PM and 4:30 PM in a day at a particular time. here 4:30 PM is taken because a person can wait for 30 mins for late comer
prob that a person will come at a place b/w 2 and 4:30 PM in a day = 2.5/24 = 5/48
So reqd prob = (5/48) ^ 2
math gurus please correct me if i am wrong
probability - unknown source
This topic has expert replies
Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving |
-
samirpandeyit62
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 460
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:42 am
- Thanked: 27 times
Two persons agree to meet at between 2 PM to 4 PM, but each of them will wait 30 minutes for the late comer. What is the probability that they will meet?
the time between 2pm to 4pm can be divided into 120 slots (minutes)
let the two persons be A & B
now to meet A & B must arrive at the same time (same min) or within 30 min of the arrival of the first
so we can say that the reqd probability is
P of A coming at a time slot X P of B coming within 30 mins
=1/120 X 1 (for A to meet be B, If A has arrived B has to come)
=1/120
what is the OA
the time between 2pm to 4pm can be divided into 120 slots (minutes)
let the two persons be A & B
now to meet A & B must arrive at the same time (same min) or within 30 min of the arrival of the first
so we can say that the reqd probability is
P of A coming at a time slot X P of B coming within 30 mins
=1/120 X 1 (for A to meet be B, If A has arrived B has to come)
=1/120
what is the OA
Regards
Samir
Samir
well the OA is 7/16.
I was approaching this problem pretty much in the same way as Samir did (though I do think that is not appropriate as B can arrive within one min. of A's arrival). Anyways, considering two hours as 120 minutes
Total possible ways: 120*120
120 mins can be divided in 3 logical parts
2:00->2:29: if A arrives within this period, B can arrive in 31+32+...60 ways (considering either side of 2: xx)
2:30->3:30: if A arrives within this period, B can arrive in 61+61+61... = 61*61
3:31->4:00: if A arrives within this period, B can arrive in 60+59...31 ways
so prob. = (30*91 + 61*61)/120*120
This answer is pretty close to 7/16. However not 7/16 exactly. Looks like the difference is because of consideration of minimum interval of 1 min....and hence am looking for a better/accurate approach.
I was approaching this problem pretty much in the same way as Samir did (though I do think that is not appropriate as B can arrive within one min. of A's arrival). Anyways, considering two hours as 120 minutes
Total possible ways: 120*120
120 mins can be divided in 3 logical parts
2:00->2:29: if A arrives within this period, B can arrive in 31+32+...60 ways (considering either side of 2: xx)
2:30->3:30: if A arrives within this period, B can arrive in 61+61+61... = 61*61
3:31->4:00: if A arrives within this period, B can arrive in 60+59...31 ways
so prob. = (30*91 + 61*61)/120*120
This answer is pretty close to 7/16. However not 7/16 exactly. Looks like the difference is because of consideration of minimum interval of 1 min....and hence am looking for a better/accurate approach.
-
samirpandeyit62
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 460
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:42 am
- Thanked: 27 times
Hi Wongee,
IMO these kind of problems appear on the CAT(an Enterance exam for India's premier Mgmt Institutes, the IIM's), the Quant level of this test is much tougher that the toughest problems on the GMAT. So IMO we should not be expecting such a problem on the GMAT, coz these problems cannot be tackled by improvisation (that too in 2-3 mins),they simply need a higher level of preparation, also I've read on several posts here & on other sites that Probabilty questions rarely appear on the GMAT (even 51Q guys have claimed this), so if they do then also they shoudn't be of this level, I think some people should agree with me here, nevertheless If there is a good possibilty that such problems can come on the GMAT, then we need to enhance our level of preparation to tackle them.
BTW agni_mba you have provided a good & rational solution for the problem.
IMO these kind of problems appear on the CAT(an Enterance exam for India's premier Mgmt Institutes, the IIM's), the Quant level of this test is much tougher that the toughest problems on the GMAT. So IMO we should not be expecting such a problem on the GMAT, coz these problems cannot be tackled by improvisation (that too in 2-3 mins),they simply need a higher level of preparation, also I've read on several posts here & on other sites that Probabilty questions rarely appear on the GMAT (even 51Q guys have claimed this), so if they do then also they shoudn't be of this level, I think some people should agree with me here, nevertheless If there is a good possibilty that such problems can come on the GMAT, then we need to enhance our level of preparation to tackle them.
BTW agni_mba you have provided a good & rational solution for the problem.
Regards
Samir
Samir
-
ldoolitt
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:23 am
- Location: Madison, WI
- Thanked: 17 times
Techinically I believe this problem would require integration of sorts. You are providing a sum using time intervals as 1 minute, which is why you are slightly off. I believe if you let the time intervals pass to 0 you would end up with the correct answer.
At any rate, since the GMAT does not test integral calculus or calculus of any sort, I would venture a guess that this will not be on the test.
At any rate, since the GMAT does not test integral calculus or calculus of any sort, I would venture a guess that this will not be on the test.
Thanks guys! I can heave a sigh of relief coz I dont think 2 mins is sufficient to reach the soln. But again, as samir said, you never know. Yes, I do know about CAT - I believe the math there is known to be tougher!












