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A student has 5 pennies, 4 nickels, 6 dimes, 2 quarters, and 1 dollar coin. What is the expected value of drawing a single coin out of your pocket?

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Final answer:

The expected value of drawing a single coin from the student's pocket is approximately $0.29, which is calculated using the values of the coins and their probabilities of being drawn.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the expected value of drawing a single coin, we need to know the value of each coin type and the probability of drawing each type. The student has a total of 18 coins:

  • 5 pennies (each worth $0.01)
  • 4 nickels (each worth $0.05)
  • 6 dimes (each worth $0.10)
  • 2 quarters (each worth $0.25)
  • 1 dollar coin (worth $1.00)
  • The expected value (EV) is calculated using the formula:
  • EV = (Σ value of coin * probability of drawing that coin)

The probabilities for each are:

  • Penny: 5/18
  • Nickel: 4/18
  • Dime: 6/18
  • Quarter: 2/18
  • Dollar: 1/18

Now, we calculate the EV:

  • (0.01 * 5/18) + (0.05 * 4/18) + (0.10 * 6/18) + (0.25 * 2/18) + (1.00 * 1/18)

EV = $0.2861 (rounded to the nearest cent)

So, the expected value of drawing a single coin out of the student's pocket is approximately $0.29.

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