Question

A local restaurant has 20 tables all together with the most popular tables by the window and the salad bar. 5 of the tables are next to the window and another 5 of the tables are next to the salad bar. All of the customers are allowed to seat themselves. If all of the window tables are open, what is the probability that the next two customers will choose to sit at the window?

A. 50%
B. 5.2%
C. 52%
D. 6.2%

Answer 1

B. 5.2%

Explanation:

Total number of tables = 20

Number of tables next to window = 5

Number of tables next to salad bar = 5

Probability that the first customer chooses the window table = 5 out of 20 =
`(5)/(20)`

When this table is chosen, the total remaining tables are 19 out of which 4 tables are next to windows.

So, now the probability that a customer will choose a window table = 4 out of 19 =
`(4)/(19)`

Since the selection of two customers is independent of each other, the probability that two customers will chose the window table will be the product of probabilities of their individual selections.

Therefore, the probability that the next two customers will choose to sit at the window =
`(5)/(20) * (4)/(19) = 0.052`

Thus, the probability that the next two customers will choose to sit at the window is 0.052 or 5.2%