Question

Suppose there are 3 molecules in a container. If each molecule has a 1-in-2 chance of being in the left half of the container, what is the probability that there are exactly 2 molecules in the left half of the container?

Answer 1

Total probability = 3/8

Step-by-step explanation:

Below is the calculation:

Number of molecules in the container = 3

The probability of one molecule in the left half, P = 3 / 2 = 1.5 or 1/2

The probability of second molecule in the left half, P1 = (3/4)

Total probability = P x P1

Total probability = (1/2) x (3/4)

Total probability = 3/8