Question

A very large bag contains more coins than you are willing to count. Instead, you draw a random sample of coins from the bag and record the following numbers of each type of coin in the sample before returning the sampled coins to the bag. If you randomly draw a single coin out of the bag, what is the probability that you will obtain either a nickel or a penny? Enter a fraction or round your answer to 4

4
decimal places, if necessary.

Answer 1

• 0.1589
• 0.3551
• 0.5140

Explanation:

Number of coins are as per table below

• Quarters ≡ Dimes ≡ Nickels ≡ Pennies
• 23 ≡ 29 ≡ 17 ≡ 38

Total number of coins

• 23+29+17+38 = 107

Probability = favorable outcomes / total outcomes

• P(nickel) = 17/107 = 0.1589 rounded
• P(penny) = 38/107 = 0.3551 rounded
• P(nickel or penny) = (17+38)/107 = 0.5140 rounded