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Probability and conditional probability SAT question

Math · Problem-Solving and Data Analysis · Medium · Answer it here, explanation included.

In a bag, there are red, white, blue, and yellow cubes. If one of these cubes is selected at random, what is the probability of selecting a cube that is neither blue nor yellow?

ExplanationShow

Choice D is correct. It’s given that there are red, white, blue, and yellow cubes in the bag. Therefore, there are a total of , or , cubes in the bag. If the cube is neither blue nor yellow, then it must be either red or white. Therefore, the probability of selecting a cube that is neither blue nor yellow is equivalent to the probability of selecting a cube that is either red or white. If one of these cubes is selected at random, the probability of selecting a cube that is either red or white is equal to the sum of the number of red cubes and white cubes divided by the total number of cubes in the bag. There are red cubes, white cubes, and total cubes in the bag. Therefore, the probability of selecting a red or white cube is , which is equivalent to , or . Thus, if one cube is selected at random, the probability of selecting a cube that is neither blue nor yellow is .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the probability of selecting a cube that is either blue or yellow, rather than the probability of selecting a cube that is neither blue nor yellow.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

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