Math Problem Statement

A bag contains 10 marbles: 2 are green, 5 are red, and 3 are blue. Miguel chooses a marble at random, and without putting it back, chooses another one at random. What is the probability that both marbles he chooses are red? Write your answer as a fraction in simplest form.

Solution

To solve this problem, we need to calculate the probability that Miguel chooses two red marbles consecutively without replacement.

Step 1: Total Number of Marbles

Initially, there are 10 marbles in the bag:

  • 2 green,
  • 5 red,
  • 3 blue.

This gives a total of: 10 marbles.10 \text{ marbles}.

Step 2: Probability of Choosing the First Red Marble

The probability that Miguel selects a red marble on his first draw is the ratio of red marbles to the total number of marbles: P(first red)=510=12.P(\text{first red}) = \frac{5}{10} = \frac{1}{2}.

Step 3: Probability of Choosing the Second Red Marble

After Miguel chooses a red marble, there are only 9 marbles left in the bag, and 4 of those marbles are red. Therefore, the probability of selecting a second red marble is: P(second red | first red)=49.P(\text{second red | first red}) = \frac{4}{9}.

Step 4: Calculate the Combined Probability

To find the overall probability that both marbles are red, we multiply the probabilities of the two events: P(both red)=P(first red)×P(second red | first red)=12×49=418.P(\text{both red}) = P(\text{first red}) \times P(\text{second red | first red}) = \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{4}{9} = \frac{4}{18}.

Step 5: Simplify the Fraction

Now, simplify 418\frac{4}{18}: 418=29.\frac{4}{18} = \frac{2}{9}.

Final Answer:

The probability that both marbles Miguel chooses are red is: 29.\boxed{\frac{2}{9}}.

Would you like further details or clarifications?


Here are 5 related questions you might find useful:

  1. What is the probability of selecting one red marble followed by one blue marble?
  2. What is the probability of selecting two green marbles in a row?
  3. What is the probability that both marbles chosen are of the same color?
  4. If Miguel chooses a marble, replaces it, and then chooses again, what is the probability that both are red?
  5. How would the probability change if there were 6 red marbles instead of 5?

Tip: When solving probability problems involving multiple events, always check whether the events are dependent (no replacement) or independent (with replacement).

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability
Combinatorics
Dependent Events

Formulas

P(A and B) = P(A) × P(B|A)
Simplifying fractions

Theorems

Rule of Product for Dependent Events

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8