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Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisEasy–MediumCount from a probability

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

A bag contains 30 marbles, each either red or blue. The probability of drawing a red marble at random is 2/5. How many blue marbles are in the bag?

Answer: 18

Red marbles: (2/5)(30) = 12. Blue marbles: 30 − 12 = 18.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 6
6 is 30/5, one 'fifth' of the bag; red is two fifths (12) and blue is three fifths (18).
If you answered 12
12 is the number of RED marbles. The question asks for blue.
If you answered 20
20 is 30 − 10 or 2/3 of 30; the red fraction is 2/5, so blue is 3/5 of 30 = 18.

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