Question

A nuclear power plant has two independent safety systems. The probability the first will not operate properly in an emergency P (A) is 0.01, and the probability the second will not operate P (B) in an emergency is 0.03. What is the probability that in an emergency both of the safety systems will not operate?

Answer 1

Explanation:

they are independent systems, so in case of an emergency both systems will activate.

this is like rolling 2 dice and asking for the probability that both will show 1.

the probability that both will fail is the product of the individual probabilities for failure :

0.01 × 0.03 = 0.0003

so, the third answer option is correct.

FYI - the probability for 2 dice to both roll 1 is

1/6 × 1/6 = 1/36