GMAT Quant Practice Questions

This GMAT quant practice question is a discrete probability problem solving question. The concept tested in this question is to find the probability of selecting a red ball from one of the two bags.

Question 9: Bag x contains 3 red and 5 black balls and bag y contains 4 red and 4 black balls. One bag is selected at random and from the selected bag one ball is drawn. What is the probability that the ball drawn is red?

1. \\frac{7}{8})
2. \\frac{7}{16})
3. \\frac{3}{16})
4. \\frac{4}{5})
5. \\frac{9}{16})

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Video Explanation

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Explanatory Answer | GMAT Probability of Independent Events

Bags x and y are equally likely to be selected.
The probability of selecting a red ball = probability of selecting a red ball from bag x + probability of selecting a red ball from bag y.

Probability of selecting a red ball from bag x = probability of selecting bag x * probability of selecting red ball from it.
= \\frac{1}{2}) × \\frac{3}{8}) = \\frac{3}{16})
Probability of selecting a red ball from bag y = probability of selecting bag y * probability of selecting red ball from it.
= \\frac{1}{2}) × \\frac{4}{8}) = \\frac{4}{16})

Probability that the ball drawn is red = \\frac{3}{16}) + \\frac{4}{16}) = \\frac{7}{16})

Choice B is the correct answer.