QQS1013 Elementary Statistics: Possibility A Particular Event Will Occur
QQS1013 Elementary Statistics: Possibility A Particular Event Will Occur
QQS1013 Elementary Statistics: Possibility A Particular Event Will Occur
INTRODUCTION
TO PROBABILITY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
The principles of probability help bridge the worlds of descriptive statistics
and inferential statistics.
Probability can be defined as the chance of an event occurring or to be
specific the numeric value representing the chance, likelihood, or
possibility a particular event will occur.
Situations that involve probability:
Observing or playing a game of chance such as card games and slot machines
Insurance
Investments
Weather Forecasting etc.
It is the basis of inferential statistics such as predictions and testing the
hypotheses
2. An Outcome
- The result of a single trial of a probability experiment.
3. A Sample Space
- The set of all possible outcomes of a probability experiment.
- Some sample spaces for various probability experiments are shown below
Example
1Find the sample space for rolling two dice.
Die 2
Die1 1 2 3 4 5 6
Example
Find the sample space for the gender of the children if a family has three
2
children. Use B for boy and G for girl.
Solution:
There are two genders, male and female and each child could be either
gender. Hence, there are eight possibilities.
4. A Tree Diagram
Example
Use a tree diagram to find the sample space for the gender of three children in a
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family.
B B GBB
G
G GBG
G B GGB
G GGG
Example
4You are at a carnival. One of the carnival games asks you to pick a door and
then pick a curtain behind the door. There are 3 doors and 4 curtains behind
each door. Use a tree diagram to find the sample spaces for all the possible
choices.
A 1, A
B 1, B
1 C 1, C
D 1, D
A 2, A
2 B 2, B
C 2, C
D 2, D
A 3, A
3 B 3, B
C 3, C
D 3, D
5. Venn Diagram
- developed by John Venn and are used in set theory and symbolic logic.
- have been adapted to probability theory.
6. An Event
- Consists of a set of outcomes of a probability experiment.
- An event can be :
a) Simple event – the outcome that is observed on a single
repetition of the experiment
- an event with one outcome
e.g: If a die is rolled and a 6 shows since it is a result
of single trial
b) Compound event – an even with more than one outcome.
e.g : The event of getting an odd number when a die
is rolled since it consists of three outcomes or three
simple events.
1. Classical Probability
- Uses sample spaces to determine the probability an event will happen.
- Assumes that all outcomes in the sample space are equally likely to occur
which means that all the events have the same probability of occurring.
- The probability of any event E is:
Number of outcomes in E
Total number of outcomes in the sample space
Or denoted as,
P( E ) n( E )
n( S )
e.g.: When a single die is rolled, each outcome has the same probability of
occurring. Since there are six outcomes, each outcome has a probability of
1
.
6
2.Empirical Probability
- Relies on actual experience to determine the likelihood of outcomes.
- Is based on observation.
- Given a frequency distribution, the probability of an event being in a given
class is:
Example
5Hospital records indicate that maternity patients stayed in the hospital for the
number of days shown in the following distribution:
3. Subjective Probability
- Uses a probability value based on an educated guess or estimate, employing
opinions and inexact information.
- This guess is based on the person’s experience and evaluation of a solution.
e.g.: A physician might say that, on the basis of her diagnosis, there is a 30%
chance the patient will need an operation.
Example
6 A = event that a family owns a DVD player
B = event that a family owns a digital camera
A B
A
and
B
Intersection of A and B
Union event
Let A and B be two events defined in a sample space.
The union of events A and B is the event that occurs when either A or B or both
occur.
It is denoted as A B.
Example
A = event that a family owns a DVD player
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B = event that a family owns a digital camera
A B Shaded area
gives the union of
events A and B.
Example
8
Chapter 3: Introduction to Probability 7
QQS1013 Elementary Statistics
A senior citizens centre has 300 members. Of them, 140 are male, 210 take at least
one medicine on a permanent basis and 95 are male and take at least one medicine
on a permanent basis. Draw a Venn diagram to describe,
a) the intersection of the events “male” and “take at least one medicine on
a permanent basis”.
b) the union of the events “male” and “take at least one medicine on a
permanent basis”.
c) the intersection of the events “female” and “take at least one medicine
on a permanent basis”.
d) the union of the events “female” and “take at least one medicine on a
permanent basis”.
Solution:
45 95 115 45
Example
Rolling a die and getting a 6, and then rolling a second die and getting a 3.
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Note:
The outcome of the rolling the first die does not affect the probability
outcome of rolling the second die.
Dependent event
When the outcome or occurrence of the first event affects the outcome or
occurrence of the second event in such a way that the probability is changed, the
events are said to be dependent events.
Some examples of dependent events:
o Drawing a card from a deck, not replacing it, and then drawing a second
card.
o Selecting a ball from an urn, not replacing it, and then selecting a second
ball.
o Having high grades and getting a scholarship.
o Parking in a no-parking zone and getting a parking ticket.
1. Joint Probability
The probability of the intersection of events.
Written by either P(A B) or P(AB).
Example
(Refer Table 1)
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If one of those employees is selected at random for membership on the employee
management committee, there are 4 joint probabilities that can be defined. That
is,
c) the probability that this employee is a male and not a college graduate
d) the probability that this employee is a female and not a college graduate
2. Marginal Probability
The probability of a single event without consideration of any event.
Also called as simple probability.
Named so as they calculated in the margins of the table (divide the
corresponding totals for the row or column by the grand total).
Example
(Refer Table 1)
11
If one of those employees is selected at random for membership on the
employee management committee, find the probabilities for each of the
followings:
a) the chosen employee is a male
3. Conditional Probability
Example
(Refer Table 1)
12
If one of those employees is selected at random for membership on the
employee management committee, find the probabilities for each of the
followings:
a) the chosen employee is a male given that he is graduated from college
P(M | G) =
b) the chosen employee is not a college graduate given that this employee is
female
P( G | F) =
Example
Chapter 3: Introduction to Probability 11
13
QQS1013 Elementary Statistics
a) 2 CDs are selected at random and with replacement. Find the probability
that the second CD is country music given that the first CD is country
music.
P(CM |CM) =
b) This time the selection made is without replacement. Find the probability
that the second CD is country music given that the first CD is country
music.
P(CM |CM) =
When two events A and B are mutually exclusive, the probability that A or
B will occur is
P(A) P(B)
Addition Rule 2
P(A and B)
P(A) P(B)
Example
Consider the following events when rolling a die:
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A = an even number is obtained = 2,4,6
B = an odd number is obtained = 1,3,5
Solution:
Yes, the two events are mutually exclusive since event A and event B have no
common element,
A B
2 1
4 3
6 5
Example
Determine which events are mutually exclusive and which are not when a
15 die is rolled.
single
Example
There are 8 nurses and 5 physicians in a hospital unit; 7 nurses and 3 physicians
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are females. If a staff person is selected, find the probability that the subject is a
nurse or a male.
Solution:
P(N or M) = P(N M)
=
Example
17
Chapter 3: Introduction to Probability 14
QQS1013 Elementary Statistics
Solution:
P(science instructor or math instructor)
=
Example
A grocery store employs cashiers, stock clerks and deli personnel. The
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distribution of employees according to marital status is shown here.
P(clerk married) =
P(not married) =
For two independent events, A and B, the occurrence of event A does not
change the probability of B occurring.
The probability of independent events can be determined as:
P( A | B ) = P(A) Or P( B | A ) = P(B)
Multiplication Rule 1
Example
A box contains 3 red balls, 2 blue balls, and 5 white balls. A ball is selected and
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its colour noted. Then it is replaced. A second ball is selected and its colour
noted. Find the probability of each of these:
a) selecting two blue balls.
Example
Chapter 3: Introduction to Probability 16
20
QQS1013 Elementary Statistics
A survey found that 68% of book buyers are 40 years or older. If two book
buyers are selected at random, find the probability that both are 40 years or
older.
P (buyer) =
On the other hand, two events, A and B are dependent when the
occurrence of the event A changes the probability of the occurrence of
event B.
When two events are dependent, another multiplication rule can be used to
find the probability.
Multiplication Rule 2
P (A B) = P(A) P( B | A )
Example
In a scientific study there are 8 tigresses, 5 of which are pregnant. If 3 are
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selected at random without replacement, find the probability that:
7 PG 6 PG ,, PG
1
6 PG ,,
P(PGPGPG) =
The set of outcomes in the sample space that is not included in the outcomes
of event E.
Denoted as E (read “E bar”)
Example
Find the complement of each event.
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a) Rolling a die and getting a 4
Answer:
P(E) P(E)
P(S)=1 P (E )
Example
In a group of 2000 taxpayers, 400 have been audited by the IRS at least once. If
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one taxpayer is randomly selected from this group, what are the probability of
that taxpayer has never been audited by the IRS?
Solution:
Let, A = the selected taxpayer has been audited by the IRS at least once
A = the selected taxpayer has never been audited by the IRS
The multiplication rules can be used with the complementary event rule to
simplify solving probability problems involving “at least”.
Example
In
24a department store there are 120 customers, 90 of whom will buy at least one
item. If 4 customers are selected at random, one by one, find the probability that
at least one of the customers will but at least one item. Would you consider this
event likely to occur? Explain.
Solution:
Let C = at least one customer will buy at least one item
C = none of the customers will buy at least one item
P(will buy at least one item) = 90 / 120 = ¾
So, P(won’t buy any items) = 1 - 3/4 = ¼
By using the complementary event rule,
P (C ) 1 P (C )
=
Yes, this event is most likely to occur (certain event) since the probability
almost 1
NOTE: The following examples are based on the overall understanding of the entire
probability concepts
Example
A random sample of 400 college students was asked if college athletes should be
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paid. The following table gives a two-way classification of the responses.
a) If one student is randomly selected from these 400 students, find the probability
that this student
P(PAID) =
ii. Favours paying college athletes given that the student selected is a non-
athlete
P(PAID | SNA) =
P(SA PAID) =
P(SNA PAID ) =
b) Are the events “student athlete” and “should be paid” independent? Are they
mutually exclusive? Explain why or why not.
P(SAPAID) =
Since, P(SAPAID) P(SA) P(PAID), those two events are not independent
(dependent).
And since P(SAPAID) 0, those two events are not mutually exclusive
Example
A screening test for a certain disease is prone to giving false positives of false
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negatives. If a patient being tested has the disease, the probability that the test
indicates a false negative is 0.13. If the patient does not have the disease, the
probability that the test indicates a false positive is 0.10. Assume that 3% of the
patients being tested actually have the disease. Suppose that one patient is
chosen at random and tested. Find the probability that;
Joint Probability
0.87 PO P(DPO)
0.03 D
0.13 NE P(DNE)
0.10 PO P(PO)
0.97
D
0.90 NE P(NE)
b) This patient does not have the disease and tests positive
P( D PO) =
d) This patient does not have the disease and tests negative
P( D NE) =
e) This patient has the disease given that he/she tests positive
P(D | PO) =
EXERCISE 1
1. For each of the following, indicate whether the type of probability involved is an
example of classical probability, empirical probability or subjective probability:
a) the next toss of a fair coin will land on heads.
b) Italy will win soccer’s World Cup the next time the competition is held.
c) the sum of the faces of two dice will be 7.
d) the train taking a commuter to work will be more than 10 minutes late.
3. Refer to question 1. List all the outcomes included in each of the following events
and mention which are simple and which are compound events.
a) Both answers are correct.
b) At most one answer is wrong.
c) The first answer is correct and the second is wrong.
d) Exactly one answer is wrong.
5. 88% of American children are covered by some type of health insurance. If four
children are selected at random, what is the probability that none are covered?
6. A box of nine golf gloves contains two left-handed gloves and seven right-handed
gloves.
a) If two gloves are randomly selected from the box without replacement, what is
the probability that both gloves selected will be right-handed?
b) If three gloves are randomly selected from the box without replacement, what
is the probability that all three will be left-handed?
c) If three gloves are randomly selected from the box without replacement, what
is the probability that at least one glove will be right-handed?
7. A financial analyst estimates that the probability that the economy will experience a
recession in the next 12 months is 25%. She also believes that if the economy
encounters recession, the probability that her mutual fund will increase in value is
20%. If there is no recession, the probability that the mutual fund will increase in
value is 75%. Find the probability that the mutual fund’s value will increase.
8. A car rental agency currently has 44 cars available. 18 of which have a GPS
navigation system. One of the 44 cars is selected at random, find the probability that
this car,
a) has a GPS navigation system.
b) does not have a GPS navigation system.
Now, two cars are selected at random from these 44 cars. Find the probability that
at least one of these cars have GPS navigation system.
9. A recent study of 300 patients found that of 100 alcoholic patients, 87 had elevated
cholesterol levels, and 200 non-alcoholic patients, 43 had elevated cholesterol
levels.
a) If a patient is selected at random, find the probability that the patient is the
following,
i. an alcoholic with elevated cholesterol level.
ii. a non-alcoholic.
iii. a non-alcoholic with non-elevated cholesterol level.
b) Are the events “alcoholic” and “non-elevated cholesterol levels” independent?
Are they mutually exclusive? Explain why or why not.
10. The probability that a randomly selected student from college is female is 0.55 and
that a student works more than 10 hours per week is 0.62. If these two events are
independent, find the probability that a randomly selected student is a
a) male and works for more than 10 hours per week.
b) female or works for more than 10 hours per week.
11. A housing survey studied how City Sun homeowners get to work. Suppose that the
survey consisted of a sample of 1,000 homeowners and 1,000 renters.
Drives to Work Homeowner Renter
Yes 824 681
No 176 319
12. Due to the devaluation which occurred in country PQR, the consumers of that
country were buying fewer products than before the devaluation. Based on a study
conducted, the results were reported as the following:
Changed 262 82 8
14. Each year, ratings are compiled concerning the performance of new cars during the
first 90 days of use. Based on a study, the probability that the new car needs a
warranty repair is 0.04, the probability that the car manufactured by Country ABC is
0.60, and the probability that the new car needs a warranty repair and was
manufactured by Country ABC is 0.025.
a) What is the probability that the car needs a warranty repair given that Country
ABC manufactured it?
b) What is the probability that the car needs a warranty repair given that Country
ABC did not manufacture it?
c) Are need for a warranty repair and country manufacturing the car statistically
independent?
15. CASTWAY is a direct selling company which has 350 authorized sale agents from
all over the country. It is known that 168 of them are male. 40% of male sale agents
has permanent job while half of female sale agents do not have permanent job.
a) Draw a tree diagram to illustrate the above events.
b) What is the probability that a randomly selected sale agent,
i. has permanent job?
ii. is a male given that he does not have permanent job?
EXERCISE 2
S M N
2. The organizer has organized three games during the Lam’s family day. There are
run with one leg (G), fill water in the bottle (B) and tug & war (T). 40 participants had
participated in these games. Below is the Vann Diagram shown the number of
participants for every game during the family day.
S
B G
5
9 2
2a
2a 7
5
T
a) Based on the Diagram above, find:
i. a value.
ii. The number of participant who participate in tug & war only.
iii. The number of participant who participate in one game only.
iv. The number of participant who participate more than one game.
b) If one participant has been selected at random, find the probability the
participant;
i. Participate in fill water in the bottle game and run with one leg
game only.
ii. Participate in all games
iii. Participate in tug & war game given he/she has participated in
run with one leg game.
3. Harmony Cultural Club has organized three competitions; singing, dance and act
contests. The competition has been organized during the different time and each
contestant can participate more than one contest. Below is the Van Diagram for 100
contestants during these competitions.
singing act
5
20 12
18
2a a
Chapter 3: Introduction to Probability 26
15
dance
QQS1013 Elementary Statistics
4. Xpress Link is a courier company with 300 staff with the qualification level shows
in the Van diagram below. Some of the staffs hold more than one qualification.
36 2k k 50
4k
5. Given P(A) = 0.3, P(B) = 0.6 and P (A B) = 0.2. Draw the Venn diagram to
represents this statement. Then, find:
a) P(B’)
b) P(A B)
c) P(B|A)
d) P(A’ B)
e) Are A and B is mutually exclusive? Prove it.
6. 5% from the total radio sales at the Nora’s electric shop will be returned back for
repair by the buyer because the malfunctions of the radio in first six month. Given
two radios has been sold last week.
a) Draw the tree diagram to represent the above event.
b) Find the probability that:
i. both radios will be return back for repair
ii. none of the radio has been returned back for repair
iii. one of the radio will be returned back for repair
iv. the second radio will be returned back for repair given the first
radio had been return for repair.
c) Are the events returning back both the radios for repair is independent
event? Prove it.
7. There are three shipping company in Baltravia country; company R, S and T. These
three companies have a cargo ship and passenger ship. Table below shows the
information about the companies.
Ship Type
Company Total
Cargo Passenger
R 20 20 40
S 40 20 60
T 30 40 70
Total 90 80
9. Two shooters have been selected to represent Malaysia in USIA game. The
probability the first shooter bid the target is ½ and the probability second shooter
miss the target is 1/3. The game will be started by first shooter and followed by the
second shooter. Draw the tree diagram to represent the events. Then, find the
probability:
TUTORIAL CHAPTER 3
QUESTION 1
Nora Kindergarten would like to conduct a Sport Day. TABLE 1 shows the number of
children based on their sport’s group.
TABLE 1
Group Boy (B) Girl (G) Total
Tuah (T) 60 70 130
Jebat (J) 30 10 40
Lekiu (L) 50 20 70
Total 140 100 240
a. If a child is selected at random, what is the probability that the child is:
QUESTION 2
There are 100 students enrolled at Faculty of Sciences. Courses offered are
Mathematics (M), Physics (F) and Chemistry (K).
ii. how many students do not enrolled in either Mathematics course or Physics
course?
b. Based on a(i), if the students were randomly selected, what is the probability that a
student:
ii. enrolled in Physics and Chemistry courses but do not enrolled in Mathematics
course.