A and B are two students. Their chances of solving a problem correctly are 1/3 and 1/4, respectively. If the probability of their making a common error is, 1/20 and they obtain the same answer, then the probability of their answer to be correct is
A.
B.
C.
D.
Solution
Let E be the event that student ‘A’ solves the problem correctly.
∴ P(E) = 1/3
In the same way if we denote the event of ’B’ solving the problem correctly with F
We get P(F) = 1/4
Since both the events are independent.
∴ Probability that both the students solve the question correctly can be represented as-
Probability that both the students could not solve the question correctly can be represented as-
Given: probability of making a common error and both getting same answer.
If they are making an error, we can be sure that answer coming out is wrong.
Let S be the event of getting same answer.
above situation can be represented using conditional probability.
And if their answer is correct obviously, they will get same answer.
To find- the probability of getting a correct answer if they committed a common error and got the same answer.
By observing our requirement and availability of equations, we can use Bayes theorem to solve this.
Using Bayes theorem, we get-
Substituting the values from above -
Our answers clearly match with option D.
∴ Option (D) is the only correct choice.
Let E1 be the event that both A and B solve correctly.
P(E1)=1/31/4=1/12
Let E2 be the event when both A and B solve incorrectly.
P(E2)=2/33/4=1/2
Let F be the prpbability that both A and B got the correct answer.
P(F/E1)=1 P(F/E2)=1/20
Probability of getting correct answer by both A and B given that they both got the same answer.
P(E1/F)= (11/12)/[(11/12)+(1/21/20)]
P(E1/F)=(1/12)/[(1/12)+(1/40)]
P(E1/F)=(1/12)/[(10/120)+(3/120)]
P(E1/F)=(1/12)/(13/120)
P(E1/F)=(1/12)(120/13)
P(E1/F)=10/13
Therefore the Probability of getting a correct answer by both A and B given that they both got the same answer is 10/13.