Question

In a scenario where three parachutists operate independently and land between points a and b, what is the probability that exactly one of the three lands past the midpoint between a and b? a) 1/2​

b) 1/3​
c) 2/3​

Answer 1

The probability that exactly one of the three parachutists lands past the midpoint between points a and b is 3/8.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the probability that exactly one of the three parachutists lands past the midpoint between points a and b, we need to consider the different possibilities.

Let's say parachutist A lands past the midpoint, while B and C don't. The probability of this happening is (1/2) * (1/2) * (1/2) = 1/8, as each parachutist has a 1/2 chance of landing past the midpoint.

Similarly, if B lands past the midpoint and A and C don't, or if C lands past the midpoint and A and B don't, the probability is also 1/8 for each of these cases.

Since these three cases are mutually exclusive, we can add their probabilities together: 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 = 3/8.

Therefore, the probability that exactly one of the three parachutists lands past the midpoint between points a and b is 3/8.