Question

What is the probability that a randomly chosen positive factor of 72 is less than 10?

Answer 1

Problem 1

S = sample space = set of all possible outcomes

S = set of positive factors of 72

S = {1,2,3,4,6,8,9,12,18,24,36,72}

n(S) = number of items in sample space

n(S) = 12

E = event space = set of outcomes we want to happen

E = set of factors of 72 such that they are less than 10

E = {1,2,3,4,6,8,9}

n(S) = number of items in event space

n(S) = 7

P(E) = probability get a value in set E (that is also in set S as well)

P(E) = probability we get a positive factor of 72 that is less than 10

P(E) = n(E)/n(S)

P(E) = 7/12

Answer: 7/12

============================================

Problem 2

$\begin{array}{ccl}S & = & \text{Sample Space}\\\\S & = & \{\\ & & ~~DAB, DAC, DAE, DAF, DAG, DAH\\ & & ~~DBA, DCA, DEA, DFA, DGA, DHA\\ & & \}\end{array}$

n(S) = 12

E = event space

E = {DCA}

n(E) = 1

P(E) = probability we get an item in set S that is in set E also

P(E) = probability we get DCA from set S listed above

P(E) = n(E)/n(S)

P(E) = 1/12

Answer: 1/12