16Hit1600
Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisVery hardProbability from a two-way table with a complement

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

Bus — late: 24, not late: 56 Car — late: 40, not late: 80

The table shows the results of a survey of 200 commuters about their travel mode and whether they arrived late at least once last week. If a bus commuter from the survey is chosen at random, what is the probability that the commuter was NOT late?

  1. A. 7/10Correct
  2. B. 3/10
  3. C. 3/8
  4. D. 7/20

Answer: A. 7/10

Restrict to bus commuters: 24 late + 56 not late = 80. Not late: 56/80 = 7/10.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 3/10
3/10 is the probability a bus commuter WAS late (24/80).
C. 3/8
3/8 divides bus-late (24) by all late commuters (64) — the wrong condition.
D. 7/20
7/20 divides bus-not-late (56) by all not-late commuters (160), the wrong condition.

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