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A box contains black, white and red identical balls. The probability of picking a black...

Mathematics
WAEC 2009

A box contains black, white and red identical balls. The probability of picking a black ball at random from the box is \(\frac{3}{10}\) and the probability of picking a white ball at random is \(\frac{2}{5}\). If there are 30 balls in the box, how many of them are red?

  • A. 3
  • B. 7
  • C. 9
  • D. 12
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Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation

Total no of balls = 30

Let x = no. of red balls

Pr(red) = \(\frac{x}{30}\)

Pr(black) = \(\frac{3}{10} = \frac{9}{30}\)

Pr(white) = \(\frac{2}{5} = \frac{12}{30}\)

No. of black balls = 9

No. of white balls = 12

9 = 12 + x = 30

x = 30 - 21

x = 9

No. of red balls = 9

OR

Let w = no of white balls

     B = no of black balls

     R = no of red balls 

Pr(black balls) = \(\frac{3}{10}\)

Pr(white balls) = \(\frac{2}{5}\)

But Pr(white balls) = \(\frac{2}{5}\) = \(\frac{W}{30}\)

cross multiply 

W = no of white balls = 12

Pr(black balls) = \(\frac{3}{10}\) = \(\frac{B}{30}\)

cross multiply

B = no of black balls = 9

Total number of balls in the basket = W + B + R = 30 ( given)

                                                        = 12 + 9 + R = 30 

                                                       R = 30 - 12 - 9 = 9

Therefore, the no of red balls = 9.

     


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