Question

a basketball player makes each free-throw with a probability of 0.3 and is on the line for a one-and-one free throw. (that is, a second throw is allowed only if the first is successful.) what is the probability that the player will score 0 points

Answer 1

0.7 = 70% probability that the player will score 0 points.

Explanation:

For each free throw, we have these following probabilities:

0.3 probability the player makes.

0.7 probability the player misses.

What is the probability that the player will score 0 points?

He is only allowed the second if he misses the first, thus, he ends with 0 points only if he misses the first.

For any free throw:

0.7 probability the player misses, so 0.7 = 70% probability that the player misses the first free throw, and 0.7 = 70% probability that the player will score 0 points.