Question

A bowl of buttons contains 10 MAGA [MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN] buttons, 5 GND [GREEN NEW DEAL] buttons and 10 NAW [NEVER A WALL] buttons. Two buttons are picked and not replaced. What are the following probabilities of choosing?

(a) Two MAGA buttons
(b) a MAGA and GND button

Answer 1

a) Probability of picking Two MAGA buttons without replacement = 0.15

b) Probability of picking a MAGA and GND button in that order = 0.0833

Probability of picking a MAGA and GND button in with the order unimportant = 0.167

Explanation:

10 MAGA [MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN] buttons, 5 GND [GREEN NEW DEAL] buttons and 10 NAW [NEVER A WALL] buttons.

Total number of buttons = 10 + 5 + 10 = 25

Let probability of picking a MAGA button be P(M) = 10/25 = 0.4

Probability of picking a GND button be P(G) = 5/25 = 0.2

Probability of picking a NAW button be P(N) = 10/25 = 0.4

a) Probability of picking Two MAGA buttons without replacement = (10/25) × (9/24) = 3/20 = 0.15

b) Probability of picking a MAGA and GND button in that order = (10/25) × (5/24) = 1/12 = 0.0833

Probability of picking a MAGA and GND button in with the order unimportant = [(10/25) × (5/24)] + [(5/25) × (10/24)] = 1/6 = 0.167