Exercises for

Finite Mathematics Applied to the Real World

This Topic: Probability


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Finite Mathematics Applied to the Real World

Calculus Applied to the Real World

Finite Mathematics & Calculus Applied to the Real World

Enter your answer for each question in the left box, and press "Check." If you use decimals, they must be accurate to 4 decimal places. You can also use fraction notation, eg. 33/56.

1. In Advanced Carmine Canasta, in each player rools two dice (one red, one green), flips a coin, and selects three gummy bears from a package containing two rasberry ones, two lime ones and two orange ones.


2. The following table shows sales of luxury imported vehicles in the US in 1996-1998.

AcuraInfinitiLexusMercedesTotal
199660,00055,00080,00090,000285,000
199770,00065,00095,000120,000350,000
199865,00055,000140,000155,000415,000
Total195,000175,000315,000365,0001,050,000

Figures are rounded, and 1998 figures are annualized, based on sales through September. Source: Ward's Automobiles/The New York Times, October 21, 1998, p. C1.

Calculate the following (experimental) probabilities:


3. A consumer survey reveals that the probability of a computer owner shopping on the Internet was 0.17, while the probability of a computer owner downloading software was 0.33. Further, the probability a computer owner doing both was 0.14. Find the probability of the following events:


4. The moon is in the Seventh House at the same time that Jupiter aligns with Mars 5% of the time, whereas Jupiter aligns with Mars 25% of the time. It is also found that, 75% of the time, either Jupiter aligns with Mars or the Moon is in the Seventh House, or both. What percentage of the time is the Moon in the Seventh House?


5. Based on past statistics, 60% of finite math students who use this web site get high grades, whereas 15% of all finite math students use this web site and get a high grade. What is the probability that a finite math student uses this web site?


6. Two dice (one red, one green) are cast, and the uppermost numbers are observed. Test for independence (make a choice and press "Check"):


7. The moon is in the Seventh House once every 30 days on average, and when it is, Jupiter has a 10% chance of aligning with Mars; when it isn't, Jupiter has only a 5% chance of aligning with Mars.


Index of Review Exercises

Summary for This Topic

Student Home

Finite Mathematics Applied to the Real World

Calculus Applied to the Real World

Finite Mathematics & Calculus Applied to the Real World

Last Updated:March, 1999
Copyright © 1998 StefanWaner and Steven R. Costenoble