Question

Jonathan's piggy bank contains 20 nickels, 30 quarters, and 50 one-dollar coins. He picks 20 coins from the bank at random; 12 of these coins are one-dollar coins. The theoretical probability of picking a one-dollar coin from the piggy bank before the draw is %, but the experimental probability, based on the draw, is %.

Answer 1

Theoretical probability: 50/100 or 50%

Experimental probability: 12/20 or 60%

Explanation:

Let's find out both probabilities asked.

Theoretical probability:

In the whole bank, here are 100 coins (20 nickels + 30 quarters + 50 one-dollars), among which there are 50 one-dollar coins. So the probability to pick up a one-dollar coin is 50 out 100, so...

TP = 50/100 or 50%

Experimental probability:

For the experimental probability, we know Jonathan picked out 20 coins, out of which 12 were one-dollar coins, so the probability is 12 out of 20...

EP = 12 / 20 = 60%