NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 15: Probability
One of the most important concepts in the Maths Syllabus of Class 10 is the Chapter on Probability. This NCERT Solution for Class 10 Maths, Chapter 15: Probability, hence becomes a vital assistant in understanding and grasping this topic thoroughly. It presents the basic concepts of probability to students through the chapter, serving the need for its development in both theoretical and practical studies. Solutions would help students see clearly how to work out the probability of a variety of events and how to then apply these calculations into real life.
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The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 15: Probability are tailored to help the students master the concepts that are key to success in their classrooms. The solutions given in the PDF are developed by experts and correlate with the CBSE syllabus of 2023-2024. These solutions provide thorough explanations with a step-by-step approach to solving problems. Students can easily get a hold of the subject and learn the basics with a deeper understanding. Additionally, they can practice better, be confident, and perform well in their examinations with the support of this PDF.
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Access Answers to NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 15: Probability
Students can access the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 15: Probability. Curated by experts according to the CBSE syllabus for 2023–2024, these step-by-step solutions make Maths much easier to understand and learn for the students. These solutions can be used in practice by students to attain skills in solving problems, reinforce important learning objectives, and be well-prepared for tests.
Exercise 15.1
Which of the following cannot be the probability of an event:
(A) 2/3
(B) -1.5
(C) 15%
(D) 0.7
(B) Since the probability of an event E is a number P(E) such that
0 ≤ P(E) ≤ 1
(B) -1.5 cannot be the probability of an event.
Gopi buys fish from a shop for his aquarium. The shopkeeper takes out one fish at random from a tank containing 5 male fishes and 8 female fishes (see figure). What is the probability that the fish taken out is a male fish?
Total number of fish in the tank = 5 + 8 = 13
∴ Total number of elementary events = 13
There are 5 male fishes in the tank.
∴ Favourable number of elementary events = 5
Hence, P (taking out a male fish) = 5/13 = 0.38
A game of chance consists of spinning an arrow which comes to rest pointing at one of the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (see figure) and these are equally likely outcomes. What is the probability that it will point at:
(i) 8?
(ii) an odd number?
(iii) a number greater than 2?
(iv) a number less than 9?
Out of 8 numbers, an arrow can point any of the numbers in 8 ways.
∴ Total number of favourable outcomes = 8
(i) Favourable number of outcomes = 1
Hence, P (arrow points at 8) = ⅛ = 0.125
(ii) Favourable number of outcomes = 4
Hence, P (arrow points at an odd number) = 4/8 = ½ = 0.5
(iii) Favourable number of outcomes = 6
Hence, P (arrow points at a number > 2) = 6/8 = ¾ = 0.75
(iv) Favourable number of outcomes = 8
Hence, P (arrow points at a number < 9) = 8/8 =1
A dice is thrown once. Find the probability of getting:
(i) a prime number.
(ii) a number lying between 2 and 6.
(iii) an odd number.
Total number of favourable outcomes of throwing a dice = 6
(i) On a dice, the prime numbers are 2, 3 and 5.
Therefore, favourable outcomes = 3
Hence P (getting a prime number) = 3/6 = ½ = 0.5
(ii) On a dice, the number lying between 2 and 6 are 3, 4, 5.
Therefore, favourable outcomes = 3
Hence P (getting a number lying between 2 and 6) = 3/6 = ½ = 0.5
(iii) On a dice, the odd numbers are 1, 3 and 5.
Therefore, favourable outcomes = 3
Hence P (getting an odd number) = 3/6 = ½ = 0.5
One card is drawn from a well-shuffled deck of 52 cards. Find the probability of getting:
(i) a king of red colour
(ii) a face card
(iii) a red face card
(iv) the jack of hearts
(v) a spade
(vi) the queen of diamonds.
Total number of favourable outcomes = 52
(i) There are two suits of red cards, i.e., diamond and heart. Each suit contains one king.
∴ Favourable outcomes = 1
Hence, P (a king of red colour) = 2/52 = 1/26 = 0.038
(ii) There are 12 face cards in a pack.
So, Favourable outcomes = 12
Hence, P (a face card) = 12/52 = 3/13 = 0.23
(iii) There are two suits of red cards, i.e., diamond and heart. Each suit contains 3 face cards.
So, Favourable outcomes = 6
Hence, P (a red face card) = 6/52 = 3/26 = 0.11
(iv) There are only one jack of heart.
So, Favourable outcome = 1
Hence, P (the jack of hearts) = 1/52 = 0.019
(v) There are 13 cards of spades.
So, Favourable outcomes = 13
Hence, P (a spade) = 13/52 = ¼ = 0.25
(vi) There is only one queen of diamonds.
So, Favourable outcome = 1
Hence, P (the queen of diamonds) = 1/52 = 0.019
Five cards – then ten, jack, queen, king and ace of diamonds, are well-shuffled with their face downwards. One card is then picked up at random.
(i) What is the probability that the card is the queen?
(ii) If the queen is drawn and put aside, what is the probability that the second card picked up is (a) an ace? (b) a queen?
Total number of favourable outcomes = 5
(i) There is only one queen.
Favourable outcome = 1
Hence, P (the queen) = ⅕ = 0.2
(ii) In this situation, total number of favorable outcomes = 4
(a) Favourable outcome = 1
Hence, P (an ace) = ¼ = 0.25
(b) There is no card as queen.
So, Favourable outcome = 0
Hence, P (the queen) = 0/4 = 0
12 defective pens are accidentally mixed with 132 good ones. It is not possible to just look at a pen and tell whether or not it is defective. One pen is taken out at random from this lot. Determine the probability that the pen taken out is a good one.
Total number of favourable outcomes = 132 + 12 = 144
Number of favourable outcomes = 132
Hence, P (getting a good pen) = 132/144 = 11/12 = 0.916
(i) A lot of 20 bulbs contain 4 defective ones. One bulb is drawn at random from the lot. What is the probability that this bulb is defective?
(ii) Suppose the bulb drawn in (i) is not defective and is not replaced. Now one bulb is drawn at random from the rest. What is the probability that this bulb is not defective?
(i) Total number of favourable outcomes = 20
Number of favourable outcomes = 4
Hence P (getting a defective bulb) = 4/20 = ⅕ = 0.2
(ii) Now total number of favourable outcomes = 20 – 1 = 19
Number of favouroable outcomes = 19 – 4 = 15
Hence P (getting a non-defective bulb) = 15/19 = 0.789
A box contains 90 discs which are numbered from 1 to 90. If one disc is drawn at random from the box, find the probability that it bears (i) a two-digit number (ii) a perfect square number (iii) a number divisible by 5.
Total number of favourable outcomes = 90
(i) Number of two-digit numbers from 1 to 90 are 90 – 9 = 81
So, Favourable outcomes = 81
Hence, P (getting a disc bearing a two-digit number) = 81/90 = 9/10 = 0.9
(ii) From 1 to 90, the perfect squares are 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64 and 81.
so, Favourable outcomes = 9
Hence P (getting a perfect square) = 9/90 = 1/10 = 0.1
(iii) The numbers divisible by 5 from 1 to 90 are 18.
So, Favourable outcomes = 18
Hence P (getting a number divisible by 5) = 18/90 = ⅕ = 0.2
A child has a die whose six faces show the letters as given below:
A B C D E A
The die is thrown once. What is the probability of getting:
(i) A?
(ii) D?
Total number of favourable outcomes = 6
(i) Number of favourable outcomes = 2
Hence P (getting a letter A) = 2/6 = ⅓ = 0.33
(ii) Number of favourable outcomes = 1
Hence P (getting a letter D) = ⅙ = 0.166
Suppose you drop a die at random on the rectangular region shown in the figure given on the next page. What is the probability that it will land inside the circle with diameter 1 m?
T
First, calculate the area of the rectangle and the area of the circle. Here, the area of the rectangle is the possible outcome and the area of the circle will be the favourable outcome.
So, the area of the rectangle = (3×2) m2 = 6 m2
and,
The area of the circle = πr2 = π(½)2 m2 = π/4 m2 = 0.78
∴ The probability that die will land inside the circle = [(π/4)/6] = π/24 or, 0.78/6 = 0.13
A lot consists of 144 ball pens of which 20 are defective and the others are good. Nuri will buy a pen if it is good, but will not buy if it is defective. The shopkeeper draws one pen at random and gives it to her. What is the probability that:
(i) she will buy it?
(ii) she will not buy it?
Total number of favourable outcomes = 144
(i) Number of non-defective pens = 144 – 20 = 124
So, Number of favourable outcomes = 124
Hence P (she will buy) = P (a non-defective pen) = 124/144 = 31/36 = 0.86
(ii) Number of favourable outcomes = 20
Hence P (she will not buy) = P (a defective pen) = 20/144 = 5/36 = 0.138
Refer to example 13.
(i) Complete the following table:
(ii) A student argues that ‘there are 11 possible outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Therefore each of them has a probability of 1/11 . Do you agree with this argument? Justify your answer.
Total favorable outcomes of throwing two dice are:
(1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6)
(2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6)
(3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6)
(4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6)
(5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)
(6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 5) (6, 6)
Total number of favourable outcomes = 36
(i) It is given that to get the sum as 2, the probability is 1/36 as the only possible outcomes = (1,1)
For getting the sum as 3, the possible events (or outcomes) = E (sum 3) = (1,2) and (2,1)
So, P(sum 3) = 2/36
Similarly,
E (sum 4) = (1,3), (3,1), and (2,2)
So, P (sum 4) = 3/36
E (sum 5) = (1,4), (4,1), (2,3), and (3,2)
So, P (sum 5) = 4/36
E (sum 6) = (1,5), (5,1), (2,4), (4,2), and (3,3)
So, P (sum 6) = 5/36
E (sum 7) = (1,6), (6,1), (5,2), (2,5), (4,3), and (3,4)
So, P (sum 7) = 6/36
E (sum 8) = (2,6), (6,2), (3,5), (5,3), and (4,4)
So, P (sum 8) = 5/36
E (sum 9) = (3,6), (6,3), (4,5), and (5,4)
So, P (sum 9) = 4/36
E (sum 10) = (4,6), (6,4), and (5,5)
So, P (sum 10) = 3/36
E (sum 11) = (5,6), and (6,5)
So, P (sum 11) = 2/36
E (sum 12) = (6,6)
So, P (sum 12) = 1/36
So, the table will be as:
(ii) I do not agree with the argument given here. Justification has already been given in part (i).
A game consists of tossing a one rupee coin 3 times and noting its outcome each time. Hanif wins if all the tosses give the same result, i.e., three heads or three tails and loses otherwise. Calculate the probability that Hanif will lose the game.
The outcomes associated with the experiment in which a coin is tossed thrice:
HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, HTT, THT, TTT
Therefore, Total number of favourable outcomes = 8
Number of favourable outcomes = 6
Hence required probability = 6/8 = ¾ = 0.75
A die is thrown twice. What is the probability that:&
(i) 5 will not come up either time?
(ii) 5 will come up at least once?
(i) The outcomes associated with the experiment in which a dice is thrown is twice:
(1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6)
(2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6)
(3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6)
(4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6)
(5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)
(6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 5) (6, 6)
Therefore, Total number of favourable outcomes = 36
Now consider the following events:
Consider the following events.
A = 5 comes in first throw,
B = 5 comes in second throw
P(A) = 6/36,
P(B) = 6/36 and
P(not B) = 5/6
So, P(not A) = 1-(6/36) = 5/6
∴ The required probability = (5/6)×(5/6) = 25/36
(ii)Number of events when 5 comes at least once = 11
∴ The required probability = 11/36
Which of the following arguments are correct and which are not correct? Give reasons for your answer:
(i) If two coins are tossed simultaneously there are three possible outcomes – two heads, two tails or one of each. Therefore, for each of these outcomes, the probability is 1/3.
(ii) If a die is thrown, there are two possible outcomes – an odd number or an even number. Therefore, the probability of getting an odd number is 1/2.
(i) Incorrect: We can classify the outcomes like this but they are not then, ‘equally likely’. Reason is that ‘one of each’ can result in two ways – from a head on first coin and tail on the second coin or from a tail on the first coin and head on the second coin. This makes it twice as likely as two heads (or two tails).
(ii) Correct: The two outcomes considered in the question are equally likely.
If P(E) = 0.05, what is the probability of ‘not E’?
Since P(E) + P (not E) = 1
so, P (not E) = 1 – P(E) = 1 – 0.05 = 0.95
A bag contains lemon flavoured candles only. Malini takes out one candy without looking into the bag. What is the probability that she takes out:
(i) an orange flavoured candy?
(ii) a lemon flavoured candy?
(i) Consider the event related to the experiment of taking out of an orange flavoured candy from a bag containing only lemon flavoured candies. Since no outcome gives an orange flavoured candy, therefore, it is an impossible event so its probability is 0.
(ii) Consider the event of taking a lemon flavoured candy out of a bag containing only lemon flavoured candies. This event is a certain event so its probability is 1.
It is given that in a group of 3 students, the probability of 2 students not having the same birthday is 0.992. What is the probability that the 2 students have the same birthday?
Let E be the event of having the same birthday
Given, P(E) = 0.992
But P(E) + P(not E) = 1
P(not E) = 1 – P(E) = 1 – 0.992 = 0.008
A bag contains 3 red balls and 5 black balls. A ball is drawn at random from the bag. What is the probability that the ball drawn is:
(i) red?
(ii) not red?
There are 3 + 5 = 8 balls in a bag. Out of these 8 balls, one can be chosen in 8 ways.
so, Total number of elementary events = 8
(i) Since the bag contains 3 red balls, therefore, one red ball can be drawn in 3 ways.
so, Favourable number of elementary events = 3
Hence P (getting a red ball) = 3/8
(ii) Since the bag contains 5 black balls along with 3 red balls, therefore one black (not red) ball can be drawn in 5 ways.
so, Favourable number of elementary events = 5
Hence P (getting a black ball) = 5/8
A box contains 5 red marbles, 8 white marbles and 4 green marbles. One marble is taken out of the box at random. What is the probability that the marble taken out will be:
(i) red?
(ii) white?
(iii) not green?
Total number of marbles in the box = 5 + 8 + 4 = 17
so, Total number of elementary events = 17
(i) There are 5 red marbles in the box.
Favourable number of elementary events = 5
so, P (getting a red marble) = 5/17 = 0.29
(ii) There are 8 white marbles in the box.
Favourable number of elementary events = 8
So, P (getting a white marble) = 8/17 = 0.47
(iii) Total number of green marble = 4
P (green marble) = 4/17 = 0.23
∴ P (not green) = 1-P(green ball) = 1-(4/7) = 0.77
Complete the statements:
(i) Probability of event E + Probability of event “not E” = _______________
(ii) The probability of an event that cannot happen is _______________. Such an event is called _______________.
(iii) The probability of an event that is certain to happen is _______________. Such an event is called _______________.
(iv) The sum of the probabilities of all the elementary events of an experiment is _______________.
(v) The probability of an event is greater than or equal to _______________ and less than or equal to _______________.
(i) 1
(ii) 0, impossible event
(iii) 1, sure or certain event
(iv) 1
(v) 0, 1
Which of the following experiments have equally likely outcomes? Explain.
(i) A driver attempts to start a car. The car starts or does not start.
(ii) A player attempts to shoot a basketball. She/he shoots or misses the shot.
(iii) A trial is made to answer a true-false question. The answer is right or wrong.
(iv) A baby is born. It is a boy or a girl.
(i) In the experiment, “A driver attempts to start a car. The car starts or does not start”, we are not justified to assume that each outcome is as likely to occur as the other. Thus, the experiment has no equally likely outcomes.
(ii) In the experiment, “A player attempts to shoot a basketball. She/he shoots or misses the shot”, we are not justified to assume that each outcome is as likely to occur as the other. Thus, the experiment has no equally likely outcomes.
(iii) In the experiment “A trial is made to answer a true-false question. The answer is right or wrong.” We know, in advance, that the result can lead in one of the two possible ways – either right or wrong. We can reasonably assume that each outcome, right or wrong, is likely to occur as the other. Thus, the outcomes right or wrong are equally likely.
(iv) In the experiment, “A baby is born, It is a boy or a girl”. We know, in advance, that the outcome can lead to one of the two possible outcomes – either a boy or a girl. We are justified to assume that each outcome, boy or girl, is likely to occur as the other. Thus, the outcomes for boys or girls are equally likely.
Why is tossing a coin considered to be a fair way of deciding which team should get the ball at the beginning of a football game?
The tossing of a coin is considered to be a fair way of deciding which team should get the ball at the beginning of a football game as we know that the tossing of the coin only land in one of two possible ways – either head up or tail up. It can reasonably be assumed that each outcome, head or tail, is as likely to occur as the other, i.e., the outcomes head and tail are equally likely. So the result of the tossing of a coin is completely unpredictable.
A piggy bank contains hundred 50 p coins, fifty Re. 1 coins, twenty Rs. 2 coins and ten Rs. 5 coins. If it is equally likely that of the coins will fall out when the bank is turned upside down, what is the probability that the coin:
(i) will be a 50 p coin?
(ii) will not be a Rs.5 coin?
Total number of coins in a piggy bank = 100 + 50 + 20 + 10 = 180
So, Total number of elementary events = 180
(i) Total number of 50 p coin = 100
P (50 p coin) = 100/180 = 5/9 = 0.55
(ii)Total number of ₹5 coin = 10
P (₹5 coin) = 10/180 = 1/18 = 0.055
∴ P (not ₹5 coin) = 1-P (₹5 coin) = 1-0.055 = 0.945
Exercise 15.2
Two customers Shyam and Ekta are visiting a particular shop in the same week (Tuesday to Saturday). Each is equally likely to visit the shop on any day as on another day. What is the probability that both will visit the shop on (i) the same day? (ii) consecutive days? (iii) different days?
Total favourable outcomes associated to the random experiment of visiting a particular shop in the same week (Tuesday to Saturday) by two customers Shyam and Exta are:
(T, T) (T, W) (T, TH) (T, F) (T, S)
(W, T) (W, W) (W, TH) (W, F) (W, S)
(TH, T) (TH, W) (TH, TH) (TH, F) (TH, S)
(F, T) (F, W) (F, TH) (F, F) (F, S)
(S, T) (S, W) (S, TH) (S, F) (S< S)
∴ Total number of favourable outcomes = 25
(i) The favourable outcomes of visiting on the same day are (T, T), (W, W), (TH, TH), (F, F) and (S, S).
∴ Number of favourable outcomes = 5
Hence required probability = 5/25 = ⅕
(ii) The favourable outcomes of visiting on consecutive days are (T, W), (W, T), (W, TH), (TH, W), (TH, F), (F, TH), (S, F) and (F, S).
∴ Number of favourable outcomes = 8
Hence required probability = 8/25
(iii)P (both visiting on the different days) = 1-P (both visiting on the same day)
So, P (both visiting on the different days) = 1-(⅕) = ⅘
A die is numbered in such a way that its faces show the numbers 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 6. It is thrown two times and the total score in two throws is noted. Complete the following table which gives a few values of the total score on the two throws:
What is the probability that the total score is:
(i) even
(ii) 6
(iii) at least 6?
Complete table is as under:
So, the total number of outcomes = 6×6 = 36
(i) E (Even) = 18
P (Even) = 18/36 = ½
(ii) E (sum is 6) = 4
P (sum is 6) = 4/36 = 1/9
(iii) E (sum is at least 6) = 15
P (sum is atleast 6) = 15/36 = 5/12
A bag contains 5 red balls and some blue balls. If the probability of drawing a blue ball is double that of a red ball, determine the number of blue balls in the bag.
It is given that the total number of red balls = 5
Let the total number of blue balls = x
So, the total no. of balls = x+5
P(E) = (Number of favourable outcomes/ Total number of outcomes)
∴ P (drawing a blue ball) = [x/(x+5)] ——–(i)
Similarly,
P (drawing a red ball) = [5/(x+5)] ——–(i)
From equation (i) and (ii)
x = 10
So, the total number of blue balls = 10
A box contains 12 balls out of which x are black. If one ball is drawn at random from the box, what is the probability that it will be a black ball?
If 6 more black balls are put in the box, the probability of drawing a black ball is now double of what it was before. Find x .
Total number of black balls = x
Total number of balls = 12
P(E) = (Number of favourable outcomes/ Total number of outcomes)
P (getting black balls) = x/12 ——————-(i)
Now, when 6 more black balls are added,
Total balls become = 18
∴ Total number of black balls = x+6
Now, P (getting black balls) = (x+6)/18 ——————-(ii)
It’s given that, the probability of drawing a black ball now is double of what it was before
(ii) = 2 × (i)
(x+6)/18 = 2 × (x/12)
x + 6 = 3x
2x = 6
∴ x = 3
A jar contains 24 marbles, some are green and others are blue. If a marble is drawn at random from the jar, the probability that it is green is 2/3. Find the number if blue balls in the jar.
Total marbles = 24
Let the total green marbles = x
So, the total blue marbles = 24-x
P(getting green marble) = x/24
From the question, x/24 = ⅔
So, the total green marbles = 16
And, the total blue marbles = 24-16 = 8
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