Math Problem Statement

It is raining today. By first drawing a tree diagram, work out the probability that it will rain on exactly one of the next two days. Give your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.

Solution

To solve this problem, we can begin by constructing a tree diagram based on the given probabilities:

  1. Rain on a given day (today):

    • The probability it rains the next day is 710\frac{7}{10}.
    • The probability it does not rain the next day is 310\frac{3}{10}.
  2. No rain on a given day:

    • The probability it rains the following day is 410\frac{4}{10}.
    • The probability it does not rain is 610\frac{6}{10}.

Step 1: Draw the Tree Diagram

We start from today, where it is raining:

  • Day 1 (next day):
    • If it rains, with probability 710\frac{7}{10}:
      • Day 2 (the following day):
        • It rains again with probability 710\frac{7}{10}.
        • It does not rain with probability 310\frac{3}{10}.
    • If it does not rain, with probability 310\frac{3}{10}:
      • Day 2:
        • It rains with probability 410\frac{4}{10}.
        • It does not rain with probability 610\frac{6}{10}.

Step 2: Calculate Probabilities for Each Path

We want to calculate the probability of exactly one of the next two days being rainy:

  1. Path: Rain on Day 1, No Rain on Day 2:

    • Probability: 710×310=21100\frac{7}{10} \times \frac{3}{10} = \frac{21}{100}.
  2. Path: No Rain on Day 1, Rain on Day 2:

    • Probability: 310×410=12100\frac{3}{10} \times \frac{4}{10} = \frac{12}{100}.

Step 3: Add the Probabilities

Since these are mutually exclusive events (either the rain happens on Day 1 or Day 2, but not both), we add the probabilities:

21100+12100=33100.\frac{21}{100} + \frac{12}{100} = \frac{33}{100}.

Final Answer:

The probability that it will rain on exactly one of the next two days is 33100\frac{33}{100}.

Would you like further clarification, or should I break down any part of this solution in more detail?

Here are 5 related questions for further practice:

  1. What is the probability that it will rain on both of the next two days?
  2. What is the probability that it will not rain on either of the next two days?
  3. How would the probabilities change if the chances of rain on a rainy day were 810\frac{8}{10}?
  4. What is the probability that it rains on at least one of the next two days?
  5. How

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability
Conditional Probability
Tree Diagrams

Formulas

Probability of event A and event B: P(A and B) = P(A) * P(B|A)
Probability of event A or event B: P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A and B)

Theorems

Law of Total Probability
Multiplication Rule for Independent Events

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10