Question Bank / Math / Probability and Statistics

Probability and conditional probability SAT question

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

There are n nonfiction books and 12 fiction books on a bookshelf. If one of these books is selected at random, what is the probability of selecting a nonfiction book, in terms of n ?

ExplanationShow

Choice B is correct. Since there are n nonfiction and 12 fiction books on the bookshelf, n plus 12 represents the total number of books. If one of these books is selected at random, the probability of selecting a nonfiction book is equivalent to the number of nonfiction books divided by the total number of books. Therefore, the probability of selecting a nonfiction book, in terms of n, is the fraction with numerator n, and denominator n plus 12, end fraction.

Choice A is incorrect. This expression represents the number of nonfiction books divided by the number of fiction books. Choice C is incorrect. This expression represents the number of fiction books divided by the number of nonfiction books. Choice D is incorrect. This expression represents the probability of selecting a fiction book.

Drill this skill on Aceit

Adaptive practice, a daily plan, and score tracking take a free account so we can save your work.

Practice this skill

More Probability and conditional probability questions