Question

The probability that a driver will get stopped by a red light in Grayson is 0.15. Assuming redlights are independent of each other, what is the probability that Taylor will get stopped by the 2 red lights she passes on the way to school.

Answer 1

0.0225

Explanation:

GIven two events A and B that are independent (=their occurrence does not depend on the other event), the probability that both events occur is given by the product of the individual probabilities:

`p(AB)=p(A)\cdot p(B)`

where

`p(A)` is the probability that event A occurs

`p(B)` is the probability that event B occurs

In this problem, we can call:

A = the driver get stopped by a red light at the 1st traffic light

B = the driver get stopped by a red light at the 2nd traffic light

The probabilities are

`p(A)=0.15`

`p(B)=0.15`

So, the probability that Taylor will get stopped by both the 2 red lights is

`p(AB)=0.15\cdot 0.15 =0.0225`