Mrs. Phillips has 10 identical cans without labels. She knows that she had 1 can of peas, 5 cans of corn, 1 can of carrots, and 3 cans of beets. She opens one can. What is the probability it is carrots?Corn or beets?

1 Answer
EZ as pi
Feb 27, 2017

#P("carrots") = 1/10#

#P("corn or beets") = 8/10 = 4/5#

Explanation:

The formula to determine the probability of an event occurring is:

#"the number of desirable outcomes"/"total number of possible outcomes"#

Only 1 of the 10 identical cans are carrots.

#P("carrots") = 1/10#

There are 8 cans which have corn or beets.

#P("corn or beets") = 8/10 = 4/5#

Notice that, when options are available, "OR" increases the probability. In this case, if the lady is equally happy to open a can of beet or corn, there are 8 tins which will meet this requriement.

Related questions
See all questions in Basic Probability Concepts
Impact of this question
3550 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License