Math Problem Statement

for a family with 3 children what is the probability that they have exactly 1 boy and 2 girls.

Solution

To determine the probability of a family with 3 children having exactly 1 boy and 2 girls, we assume the following:

  1. Each child is equally likely to be a boy or a girl (probability = 12\frac{1}{2}).
  2. The outcomes for each child are independent.

Step 1: Total Outcomes

Each child can be either a boy (B) or a girl (G). For 3 children, the total number of outcomes is: 23=82^3 = 8 The possible outcomes are: {BBB,BBG,BGB,BGG,GBB,GBG,GGB,GGG}\{BBB, BBG, BGB, BGG, GBB, GBG, GGB, GGG\}

Step 2: Favorable Outcomes

We are looking for outcomes with exactly 1 boy and 2 girls. These are: {BGG,GBG,GGB}\{BGG, GBG, GGB\} Thus, there are 3 favorable outcomes.

Step 3: Probability Calculation

The probability is given by: Probability=Number of Favorable OutcomesTotal Number of Outcomes\text{Probability} = \frac{\text{Number of Favorable Outcomes}}{\text{Total Number of Outcomes}} Probability=38\text{Probability} = \frac{3}{8}

Final Answer:

The probability that the family has exactly 1 boy and 2 girls is: 38\boxed{\frac{3}{8}}


Would you like a detailed breakdown of how probabilities were assigned or further clarification? Here are 5 related questions to explore:

  1. What is the probability of having exactly 2 boys and 1 girl in this scenario?
  2. How would the probability change if the chance of having a boy were 60%60\% instead of 50%50\%?
  3. What is the probability of having at least one boy in a family with 3 children?
  4. What is the probability of having no boys in a family with 3 children?
  5. How many combinations are there for having exactly 2 girls and 1 boy in a family with 4 children?

Tip: When dealing with probabilities involving multiple events, consider using binomial coefficients to count favorable outcomes more efficiently!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability
Combinatorics
Binomial Distribution

Formulas

Total Outcomes = 2^n
Probability = (Number of Favorable Outcomes) / (Total Outcomes)

Theorems

Basic Probability Theorem
Binomial Probability Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-9