Question

Two numbers are selected at random from the integer 1 through 9. If the sum is even, find the probability that both numbers are odd.

(a) \(\frac{5}{8}\)

(b) \(\frac{3}{8}\)

(c) \(\frac{3}{10}\)

(d) None of these

Answer 1

  Answer: (a) \(\frac{5}{8}\) 

In the set of integers from 1 to 9, there are four even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, and 5 odd numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. 

Let A: Event of choosing odd numbers ⇒ n(A) = ⁵C₂ 

(∵ 2 numbers are chosen from 5 odd numbers) 

B: Event of getting the sum as an even number. ⇒ n(B) = ⁴C₂ + ⁵C₂ 

(∵ The sum is even if both the numbers are chosen are even or both are odd) 

∴ n(A ∩ B) = ⁵C₂ 

(Event of getting sum as even if both the numbers are odd) 

∴ P(Selecting both odd numbers or getting an even sum)

= P(A/B) = \(\frac{P(A\,\cap\,B)}{P(A)}\) = \(\frac{n(A\,\cap\,B)}{n(B)}\) = \(\frac{^5C_2}{^4C_2+^5C_2}\) = \(\frac{10}{16} =\frac{5}{8}\)