UCAT independent and dependent events

Independent: multiply the probabilities. Without replacement: after the first pick, take one away from the top and the bottom. At least one: 1 minus the chance of none. Try two below.

By Shrey, Cambridge studentUpdated
Decision Making · Question 1 of 20:00 / 1:03

A bag contains 8 red and 10 blue counters. Two counters are selected at random without replacement. What is the probability that both are red, to one decimal place?

Three rules

SituationDo thisExample
Both happen, independentMultiply0.6 × 0.6 = 0.36
Without replacementChange the second fraction8/18 × 7/17
At least one1 − P(none)1 − 0.82³ = 0.449

The trap

Adding probabilities for "at least one" goes wrong: three 40% chances do not make 120%. Work out none, then subtract from 1.

Keep going

Given that questions: UCAT conditional probability

Every Decision Making type: DM question types and methods

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