Question

Which of the following experiments have equally likely outcomes? Explain.
(i). A driver attempts to start a car. The car starts or does not start.
(ii). A player attempts to shoot a basketball. She/he shoots or misses the shot.
(iii). A trial is made to answer a true-false question. The answer is right or wrong.
(iv). A baby is born. It is a boy or girl.

Answer 1

Hint: We have found in the given options of an experiment which experiment has equally likely outcomes. For this first we know about the equally likely outcomes.
The outcomes of a sample space are called equally likely if all of them have the same chance of occurring. It is very difficult to decide whether the outcomes are equally likely. For example, let us assume an unbiased coin is tossed. There is an equal chance to get head and tail.

Complete step-by-step answer:
To fill the blanks, we need to know the definition of equally likely outcomes.
The outcomes of a sample space are called equally likely if all of them have the same chance of occurring. It is very difficult to decide whether the outcomes are equally likely. For example, let us assume an unbiased coin is tossed. There is an equal chance to get head and tail.
A driver attempts to start a car. The car starts or does not start. Here, both the outcomes have equal possibility. So, this experiment has equally likely outcomes.
A player attempts to shoot a basketball. She/he shoots or misses the shot. Here, both the outcomes have equal possibility. So, this experiment has equally likely outcomes.
A trial is made to answer a true-false question. The answer is right or wrong. Here, both the outcomes have equal possibility. So, this experiment has equally likely outcomes.
A baby is born. It is a boy or girl. Here, both the outcomes have equal possibility. So, this experiment has equally likely outcomes.

Note: The concept of equally likely outcome is applicable for some events only. That event must have equal possibility on both events and it also be unpredictable. In this problem all experiments have equally likely outcomes. Because the problems have the same chance of occurring.