Combined Conditional Probabilities (Edexcel IGCSE Maths A (Modular))

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Written by: Roger B

Reviewed by: Dan Finlay

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Combined Conditional Probabilities

What is a combined conditional probability?

This is when you have two (or more) successive events, one after the other, and the second event depends on (is conditional on) the first

How do I calculate combined conditional probabilities?

You need to adjust the number of outcomes as you go along
- For example, selecting two cards from a pack of 52 playing cards without replacing the first card:
  - P(red 1^st card) is 26 reds out of 52 cards
  - If the 1^st card is not replaced, there are only 25 reds left out the remaining 51 cards
  - P(red 2^ndcard) is 25 reds out of 51 cards
  - P(red then red) = $\frac{26}{52} \times \frac{25}{51}$

Examiner Tips and Tricks

If a question says "two cards are drawn" then you may assume that they draw 1 card followed by another card without replacement (the maths is the same).

Can I a tree diagram for combined conditional probabilities?

Yes, a tree diagram is a useful way to show combined conditional probabilities
- For example, two counters are drawn at random from a bag of 3 blue and 8 red counters without replacement
  - The probabilities are shown below

What if there are multiple possibilities within one question?

You may need a listing strategy (e.g. AAB, ABA, BAA)
You will need the or rule for multiple possibilities
- P(AB or BA or AA or...) = P(AB) + P(BA) + P(AA) +...
  - Add the cases together
Remember that AB and BA are not the same
- AB means A happened first, then B
- BA means B happened first, then A

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Try not to simplify your probabilities too early as it is easier to add probabilities together when they all have the same denominator!

Worked Example

A bag contains 10 yellow beads, 6 blue beads and 4 green beads.

A bead is taken at random from the bag and not replaced.

A second bead is then taken at random from the bag.

(a) Find the probability that both beads are different colours.

Let Y, B and G represent choosing a yellow, blue and green bead

List all the possibilities of different colours

Remember that YB (yellow first, then blue) is different to BY (blue first, then yellow)

YB, BY, YG, GY, BG, GB

Use the "or" rule to add the cases together

P(different colours) = P(YB) + P(BY) + P(YG) + P(GY) + P(BG) + P(GB)

Calculate each conditional probability separately, remembering the number of beads changes after one is drawn and not replaced

For example, P(YB) = $\frac{10}{20} \times \frac{6}{19}$

$\frac{10}{20} \times \frac{6}{19} + \frac{6}{20} \times \frac{10}{19} + \frac{10}{20} \times \frac{4}{19} + \frac{4}{20} \times \frac{10}{19} + \frac{6}{20} \times \frac{4}{19} + + \frac{4}{20} \times \frac{6}{19}$

Multiply the pairs of fractions together and add their results

$\frac{248}{360}$

Simplify the answer

$\frac{31}{45}$

The second bead is not replaced and a third bead is taken at random from the bag.

(b) Find the probability that all three beads are the same colour.

List the possibilities

YYY, BBB, GGG

Use the "or" rule to add between cases

P(all the same colour) = P(YYY) + P(BBB) + P(GGG)

Use conditional probabilities in each separate case, remembering the number of beads changes after each one is drawn and not replaced

$\frac{10}{20} \times \frac{9}{19} \times \frac{8}{18} + \frac{6}{20} \times \frac{5}{19} \times \frac{4}{18} + \frac{4}{20} \times \frac{3}{19} \times \frac{2}{18}$

Multiply the triplets of fractions together then add their results

$\frac{720}{6840} + \frac{120}{6840} + \frac{24}{6840} = \frac{864}{7840}$

Simplify the answer

$\frac{27}{245}$

Last updated: 18 October 2024

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Combined Conditional Probabilities (Edexcel IGCSE Maths A (Modular))

Revision Note

Combined Conditional Probabilities

What is a combined conditional probability?

How do I calculate combined conditional probabilities?

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Can I a tree diagram for combined conditional probabilities?

What if there are multiple possibilities within one question?

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Worked Example

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Author: Roger B

Author: Dan Finlay