Question

The sum of probabilities of two students getting distinction in their final examinations is 1.2.
A. True
B. False
C. Either
D. Neither

Answer 1

Hint: We know that probability is a branch of mathematics which describes how likely an event is to occur. The probability of an event should always range between 0 and 1. It can also equal to 0 or 1. Here the sum of the probabilities of two students is given not combined probability. Use this info to tell whether the given statement is true or not.

Complete step-by-step answer:
We are given to state whether the statement “The sum of probabilities of two students getting distinction in their final examinations is 1.2” is true or not.
Probability tells how likely an event can occur. Probability of an event can be calculated by the ratio of the number of favorable outcomes for this event to the Total number of outcomes possible.
Here the event is getting distinction in the final examinations.
Probability of an event will never be greater than 1 and less than 0. It must always range between 0 and 1 including the borders (0, 1).
So here the sum of the probabilities of two students is given.
Probability of each student getting distinction in their final examinations is always less than or equal to 1.
For example, the probability of one student can be 0.5 and the other can be 0.7 or the probability of one student can be 1.1 and the other can be 0.1.
In one condition, the statement is true and in another it is false.
As the separate probabilities of students are not given, the given statement can either be true or false.
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note: Do not confuse between probability and possibility. Possibility tells us that something may happen but we don’t know how likely it can happen whereas probability tells us that something may happen but we know that it is more likely than not. Probability is just like a guess. If something is possible, it does not mean that it is highly probable.