Question

The cafeteria staff made sandwiches. Each sandwich had either rye or white bread, either ham or turkey, and either cheese or no cheese. The staff made an equal number of each type of sandwich. The sandwiches were placed on a tray. Without looking, Mary will choose a sandwich. What are the chances that Mary will get a sandwich with cheese?1 eighth1 sixth1 third1 halfHide Toolbar

Answer 1

1/2 (1 half)

Explanation:

The number of different sandwiches is calculated multiplying all of the possibilities for each material used:

rye or white bread: 2 options

ham or turkey: 2 options

cheese or no cheese: 2 options

So the number of different sandwiches that can be made is 2*2*2 = 8.

From these 8 different sandwiches, 4 have cheese and 4 have no cheese, as the staff made a equal number of each type of sandwich.

So, if from 8 different type of sandwiches, 4 have cheese, the chances of Mary getting a sandwich with cheese is 4/8 = 1/2 (1 half).