ProbabilityMCQMTP March 21Question 3379 of 187
All Questions

The odds are 9:5\displaystyle 9:5 against a person who is 50\displaystyle 50 years living till he is 70\displaystyle 70 and 8:6\displaystyle 8:6 against a person who is 60\displaystyle 60 living till he is 80\displaystyle 80. Find the probability that at least one of them will be alive after 20\displaystyle 20 years.

Options

A1114\displaystyle \frac{11}{14}
B2249\displaystyle \frac{22}{49}
C3149\displaystyle \frac{31}{49}
D3549\displaystyle \frac{35}{49}
For any discrepancies in this question, email contact@cadada.in

Correct Answer

Option c3149\displaystyle \frac{31}{49}

All Options:

  • A1114\displaystyle \frac{11}{14}
  • B2249\displaystyle \frac{22}{49}
  • C3149\displaystyle \frac{31}{49}
  • D3549\displaystyle \frac{35}{49}

Ad

Detailed Solution & Explanation

**Probability that At Least One Person is Alive** Let A\displaystyle A be the event that the 50-year-old person lives for another 20 years (till 70). Odds against A\displaystyle A are 9:5\displaystyle 9:5: P(Aˉ)=914,P(A)=514P(\bar{A}) = \frac{9}{14}, \quad P(A) = \frac{5}{14} Let B\displaystyle B be the event that the 60-year-old person lives for another 20 years (till 80). Odds against B\displaystyle B are 8:6\displaystyle 8:6: P(Bˉ)=814=47,P(B)=614=37P(\bar{B}) = \frac{8}{14} = \frac{4}{7}, \quad P(B) = \frac{6}{14} = \frac{3}{7} We want to find the probability that at least one of them is alive after 20 years. Using the complement rule: P(at least one alive)=1P(both die)P(\text{at least one alive}) = 1 - P(\text{both die}) Assuming their lifetimes are independent: P(both die)=P(Aˉ)×P(Bˉ)=914×47=3698=1849P(\text{both die}) = P(\bar{A}) \times P(\bar{B}) = \frac{9}{14} \times \frac{4}{7} = \frac{36}{98} = \frac{18}{49} Now, compute the probability that at least one is alive: P(at least one alive)=11849=3149P(\text{at least one alive}) = 1 - \frac{18}{49} = \frac{31}{49} Hence, **Option C** is the correct answer.

About This Chapter: Probability

Paper

Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude

Weightage

5-7 Marks

Key Topics

Probability Operations, Expected Value

A logic-heavy chapter dealing with random experiments, events (mutually exclusive, exhaustive), set theory probability, conditional probability, and Bayes' Theorem. It forms the basis for Theoretical Distributions.

View Official ICAI Syllabus

Exam Strategy Tip

Always draw a quick Venn Diagram or tree when faced with 'At least one' or 'Only A but not B' wording. It saves you from double-counting.

Key Concepts to Understand

More Questions from Probability

Ready to Master Probability?

Practice all 187 questions with instant feedback, earn XP, track your streaks, and ace your CA Foundation exam.

Start Practicing — It's Free