MEP Pupil Text 5

Exercises
1. On a route to school a bus must pass through two sets of traffic lights. The
probability that the bus has to stop at a set of lights is 0.6.
(a) What is the probability that the bus does not have to stop at a set of traffic
lights?
(b) Copy the tree diagram below and add the correct probabilities to each branch.

First set Second set Probability of outcome

of lights of lights
stops =
stops
does not =
stop

stops =
does not
stop
does not =
stop

(c) What is the probability that the bus gets to school without having to stop at a
traffic light?
(d) What is the probability that the bus stops at both sets of traffic lights?
(e) What is the probability that the bus stops at one set of traffic lights?

2. Two children are playing a game. They take it in turns to start. Before they start
they must throw a six. John starts first.
(a) What is the probability of throwing a six?
(b) Copy the tree diagram and add the appropriate probabilities to each branch.
Also calculate the probability of each outcome shown on the tree diagram.

John's turn Mike's turn

six
six
not six

six
not
six
not six
(c) Find the probability that:
(i) both children start the game on their first throws,
(ii) only one of them starts the game on their first throw,
(iii) neither of them starts the game on their first throw.

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3. Draw a tree diagram to show the possible outcomes when two coins are tossed.
Include the probabilities on your tree diagram.
Find the probability of obtaining:
(a) two heads, (b) no heads, (c) only one head.
1
4. Paul travels to London on the early train. The probability that he arrives late is .
10
He catches the train on two consecutive days.
What is the probability that he arrives:
(a) on time on both days,
(b) on time on at least one day,
(c) late on both days.
3
5. When Jackie's phone rings the probability that the call is for her is .
4
(a) What is the probability that a call is not for Jackie?
(b) Draw a tree diagram that includes probabilities to show the possible
outcomes when the phone rings twice.
(c) Find the probabilities that:
(i) both calls are for Jackie,
(ii) only one call is for Jackie,
(iii) neither call is for Jackie.

6. In a school canteen the probability that a child has chips with their meal is 0.9 and
the probability that they have baked beans is 0.6.
(a) Copy and complete the tree diagram below.

beans
chips
no beans

beans
no
chips
no beans

(b) What is the probability that a child has:

(i) both chips and beans,
(ii) chips but not beans,
(iii) neither chips nor beans?

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7. To be able to drive a car unsupervised you must pass both a theory test and a
practical driving test. The probability of passing the theory test is 0.8 and the
probability of passing the practical test is 0.6.
(a) What is the probability of failing:
(i) the theory test,
(ii) the practical test?

(b) What is the probability that someone:

(i) passes both tests,
(ii) fails both tests?

8. Matthew and Adam play squash together. The probability that Adam wins is 0.52.
(a) Find the probabilities that, out of two games,
(i) Adam wins two,
(ii) Matthew wins two,
(iii) they win one each.

(b) Which of the outcomes is the most likely?

9. Veronica calls for her friends, Kathryn and Fionna. The probability that Kathryn is
not ready to leave is 0.2 and the probability that Fionna is not ready is 0.3
Use suitable tree diagrams to find the probability that:
(a) both Fionna and Kathryn are ready to leave,
(b) one of them is not ready to leave,
(c) Kathryn is not ready to leave on two successive days,
(d) Kathryn is ready to leave on two consecutive days.

10. A die has 6 faces of which 3 are green, 2 yellow and 1 red.
Find the probabilities of the following outcomes if the die is rolled twice.
(a) Both faces have the same colour.
(b) Both faces are red.
(c) Neither face is green.

11. (a) Draw a tree diagram to show the possible outcomes when a coin is tossed
three times.
(b) Find the probability of obtaining:
(i) 3 heads and 3 tails,
(ii) at least 2 heads,
(iii) exactly one tail.

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12. On average, Alice comes to tea on 2 days out every 5. If Alice comes to tea, the
probability that we have jam tarts is 0.7.
If Alice does not come to tea, the probability that we have jam tarts is 0.4.

(a) Draw a tree diagram to illustrate this information.

Write the appropriate probability on each branch.

(b) What is the probability that we will have jam tarts for tea tomorrow?
(MEG)

13. John has 8 red socks and 6 white socks all mixed up in his sock drawer.
He takes 2 socks at random from the drawer.

(a) If the first sock that John takes is red, what is the probability that the second
sock will also be red?
(b) What is the probability that John will take 2 socks of the same colour?
(LON)

5
14. Ahmed and Kate play a game of tennis. The probability that Ahmed will win is .
8
4
Ahmed and Kate play a game of snooker. The probability that Kate will win is .
7

(a) Copy and complete the probability tree diagram below.

Tennis Snooker

................ Ahmed wins

Ahmed
5
wins 4 Kate wins
8 7

................ Ahmed wins

Kate
................ wins
Kate wins
................

(b) Calculate the probability that Kate will win both games.
(LON)

15. A dice is biased as follows:

The probability of scoring a 6 is 0.4. The probability of scoring a 5 is 0.2.

(a) Julia throws the dice once. Calculate the probability that the score will be
5 or 6.
(b) Jeff throws the dice twice. Calculate the probability that both scores will
be 6's.
(SEG)

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