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Cindy has 2 blue pens and 3 black pens in her bag. Without looking she chooses a pen, and does not replace it.Then she chooses another pen. What is the probability that both pens will be blue?

1 Answer

4 votes

Probability that both pens will be blue = 1/10

Step-by-step explanation:

Number of blue pens = 2

Number of black pens = 3

Total pens = 2 + 3 = 5

Probability of chosing a blue pen = number of blue pen/total pens

Probability of chosing a blue pen = 2/5

The first pen was picked without being replaced, then the second pen was picked:

This means the number of blue pens after the first pick will reduce by 1

Number of blue pens after the first pick = 2 - 1 = 1

The total number of pens will also reduce by 1 after the first pick:

Total pens after the first pick = 5 - 1 = 4

Probability that both pens will be blue = Probability (1st blue and 2nd blue)

Probability (1st blue) = 2/5

Probability (2nd blue) = 1/4

'and' means multiplication

Probability of both pen to be blue = 2/5 × 1/4 = 2/20

Probability that both pens will be blue = 1/10

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