Pearson Geometry Common Core, 2011
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Pearson Geometry Common Core, 2011 View details
4. Compound Probability
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Exercise 14 Page 848

If events A and B are mutually exclusive, then the probability that either A or B occurs is the sum of the probability of A occurring and the probability of B occurring.

2/5

Practice makes perfect
We select a chip randomly from a bag that contains 3 blue chips, 6 black chips, 2 green chips, and 4 red chips.
Selecting a chip at random
We are asked to find the probability that we select a green chip or a red chip. Note that we cannot choose a green chip and a red chip at the same time. Therefore, these events are mutually exclusive. If events A and B are mutually exclusive, then the probability that either A or B occurs is the sum of the probability of A occurring and the probability of B occurring. P( Aor B)=P( A)+ P( B)

In order to find the desired probability, we will find the probability that we select a green chip and the probability that we select a red chip one at a time. Let's start by calculating the probability of choosing a green chip.

We select a green chip - possible outcomes

Out of 15 chips in the bag, there are 2 green chips. P( green chip)= 2/15 Next, we will calculate the probability of choosing a red chip.

We select a red chip - possible outcomes
Out of 15 chips in the bag, there are 4 red chips. P( red chip)= 4/15 Finally, we can find the desired probability by adding the obtained probabilities.
P(green chip or red chip)
P(green chip)+ P(red chip)
2/15+ 4/15
6/15
2/5
Therefore, the probability P(green chip or red chip) is equal to 25.