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The probability of A solving a riddle is 45 and that of B solving it is 23. Find the probability that the problem will not be solved at all.

a. 15/91
b. 4/90
c. 1/15
d. 1/9

1 Answer

3 votes

The probability that neither A nor B solves the riddle is
\( (1)/(15) \), which matches option C.

If the probability of A solving the riddle is
\( P(A) = (4)/(5) \) and the probability of B solving the riddle is
\( P(B) = (2)/(3) \), then the probability that neither A nor B solves the riddle is indeed given by:


\[ P(\overline{A} \cap \overline{B}) = P(\overline{A}) \cdot P(\overline{B}) \]

Where
\( P(\overline{A}) \) is the probability that A does not solve the riddle, and
\( P(\overline{B}) \) is the probability that B does not solve the riddle.


\[ P(\overline{A}) = 1 - P(A) = 1 - (4)/(5) = (1)/(5) \]\[ P(\overline{B}) = 1 - P(B) = 1 - (2)/(3) = (1)/(3) \]

Now, multiply these probabilities:


\[ P(\overline{A} \cap \overline{B}) = (1)/(5) \cdot (1)/(3) = (1)/(15) \]

Option C is the correct answer.

The complete question is:

The probability of A solving a riddle is 4/5 and that of B solving it is 2/3. Find the probability that the problem will not be solved at all.

a. 15/91

b. 4/90

c. 1/15

d. 1/9

User AndrewGB
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