Question

A shelf holds 3 novels, 2 biographies, and 1 history book. Two students in turns choose a book at random. What is the probability of that the students choose each of the following?
1. both novels _____
2.both biographies _______
3. a history, then a novel _____
4. both history books ______

Answer 1

I'll do the first one:
Both novels.

Student 1 picks a novel. There are 3 novels out of 6 books total.

Now there are 5 books left.

Student 2 picks a novel. There are 2 novels out of 5 books since the other student took a novel.

To find the probability you would multiply the probability student 1 gets a novel and the probability student 2 gets a novel.

$\frac{3 Novels}{6 Books} x \frac{2 Novels}{5 Books} = \frac{6}{30} = \frac{1}{5}$

So the probability is 1/5. Or 20%