JEE Main · Mathematics ↓ Falling

Probability appeared 35 times across 3 years — 4% of Mathematics. This question is from Total Probability Theorem.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 9 17 9 35

Bag A contains 9 white and 8 black balls, while bag B contains 6 white and 4 black balls. One ball is randomly picked up from the bag B and mixed up with the balls in the bag A. Then a ball is randomly drawn from the bag A. If the probability, that the ball drawn is white, is (p)/(q), (p, q) = 1, then p + q is equal to

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Total Probability Theorem:

P(E) = P(E|A₁)P(A₁) + P(E|A₂)P(A₂)
Core Logic

Total Probability Theorem diagram for Q11 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Total Probability Theorem diagram for Q11 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Total Probability Theorem diagram for Q11 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Total Probability Theorem diagram for Q11 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Let Event WB be drawing a white ball from Bag B and mixing it in Bag A. Let Event BB be drawing a black ball from Bag B and mixing it in Bag A.

Probability of drawing White from Bag B:

P(WB) = (6)/(10) = (3)/(5)

Probability of drawing Black from Bag B:

P(BB) = (4)/(10) = (2)/(5)
Step 1: Calculating Final Probability

If a white ball is transferred, Bag A now has 10 White and 8 Black balls (18 total). Probability of drawing White from A given WB:

P(WA | WB) = (10)/(18)

If a black ball is transferred, Bag A now has 9 White and 9 Black balls (18 total). Probability of drawing White from A given BB:

P(WA | BB) = (9)/(18)

Total probability of drawing a white ball from Bag A:

P(WA) = P(WA | WB)P(WB) + P(WA | BB)P(BB) P(WA) = ((10)/(18))((3)/(5)) + ((9)/(18))((2)/(5)) P(WA) = (30)/(90) + (18)/(90) = (48)/(90) = (8)/(15)
Step 2: Final Calculation

We have P = (p)/(q) = (8)/(15). Since (8, 15) = 1, p = 8 and q = 15.

p + q = 8 + 15 = 23
Pattern Recognition

Standard transfer problem. Always set up the exhaustive branches of the initial transfer event and map the new probability state of the target bag.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Probability

Reference Study Guides

More Probability Previous-Year Questions — Page 7

Q jee_main_2024_30_january_evening Bayes Theorem
Bag A contains 3 white, 7 red balls and bag B contains 3 white, 2 red balls. One bag is selected at random and a ball is drawn from it. The probability of drawing the ball from the bag A, if the ball drawn is white, is :
  • A. (1)/(4)
  • B. (1)/(9)
  • C. (1)/(3)
  • D. (3)/(10)

Solution

Related Formula
Bayes' Theorem: P(E₁ | E) = (P(E₁)P(E | E₁))/(P(E₁)P(E | E₁) + P(E₂)P(E | E₂))
Core Logic

Let E₁ be the event that Bag A is selected, and E₂ be the event that Bag B is selected.

P(E₁) = P(E₂) = (1)/(2)

Let E be the event that a white ball is drawn. From Bag A (3 white, 7 red, total 10): P(E | E₁) = (3)/(10) From Bag B (3 white, 2 red, total 5): P(E | E₂) = (3)/(5)

Step 1: Calculating the Target Probability

We need to find the probability that the ball was drawn from Bag A given it is white, i.e., P(E₁ | E).

P(E₁ | E) = ((1)/(2) × (3)/(10))/((1)/(2) × (3)/(10) + (1)/(2) × (3)/(5))

Canceling out (1)/(2) from the numerator and the denominator:

P(E₁ | E) = ((3)/(10))/((3)/(10) + (6)/(10)) = (3)/(3 + 6) = (3)/(9) = (1)/(3)
Pattern Recognition

Reverse probability with disjoint prior states directly signals Bayes' theorem. Canceling prior probability terms (P(E₁)=P(E₂)) speeds up the calculation.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Probability

Q11 jee_main_2024_30_jan_morning Classical Probability
Two integers x and y are chosen with replacement from the set 0, 1, 2, 3, , 10. Then the probability that |x - y| > 5 is:
  • A. (30)/(121)
  • B. (62)/(121)
  • C. (60)/(121)
  • D. (31)/(121)

Solution

Related Formula
P(E) = Number of favorable outcomesTotal number of possible outcomes
Core Logic

Total possible selections for (x, y) with replacement from 0, 1, , 10 is 11 × 11 = 121. We need pairs (x, y) such that |x - y| > 5, which means x - y > 5 or y - x > 5.

Step 1: Counting Favorable Cases

Assume x < y, so we need y - x ≥ 6. If x = 0 ⇒ y in 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (5 ways) If x = 1 ⇒ y in 7, 8, 9, 10 (4 ways) If x = 2 ⇒ y in 8, 9, 10 (3 ways) If x = 3 ⇒ y in 9, 10 (2 ways) If x = 4 ⇒ y in 10 (1 way) If x ≥ 5, there are no possible values for y strictly greater than x satisfying the condition.

Step 2: Total Probability

The number of cases for y > x is 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 15. By symmetry, the number of cases for x > y is also 15. Total favorable cases = 15 × 2 = 30. Required probability = (30)/(121).

Pattern Recognition

Absolute difference conditions |x - y| > k on discrete sets cleanly split into symmetric additive series 1+2+...+n. Calculate one half and multiply by 2.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Probability

Q18 jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Binomial Distribution / Independent Events
A coin is based so that a head is twice as likely to occur as a tail. If the coin is tossed 3 times, then the probability of getting two tails and one head is-
  • A. (2)/(9)
  • B. (1)/(9)
  • C. (2)/(27)
  • D. (1)/(27)

Solution

Related Formula
P(X=k) = ⁿCk · p^k · qn-k
Core Logic

Given P(H) = 2P(T). Since P(H) + P(T) = 1, we get 2P(T) + P(T) = 1 3P(T) = 1 P(T) = (1)/(3). Then, P(H) = (2)/(3).

The coin is tossed 3 times. We need the probability of getting exactly 2 tails and 1 head. Using binomial probability:

P(2T, 1H) = ³C₂ × (P(T))² × (P(H))¹ = 3 × ((1)/(3))² × ((2)/(3)) = 3 × (1)/(9) × (2)/(3) = (6)/(27) = (2)/(9)
Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Probability

Q16 jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Independent Events
Two marbles are drawn in succession from a box containing 10 red, 30 white, 20 blue and 15 orange marbles, with replacement being made after each drawing. Then the probability, that first drawn marble is red and second drawn marble is white, is
  • A. (2)/(25)
  • B. (4)/(25)
  • C. (2)/(3)
  • D. (4)/(75)

Solution

Core Logic

Total marbles = 10 + 30 + 20 + 15 = 75. Drawings are made with replacement, so the events are independent.

Step 1: Probability Calculation

Probability of first drawing a red marble: P(R) = (10)/(75). Probability of second drawing a white marble: P(W) = (30)/(75). Since they are independent: P(R and W) = (10)/(75) × (30)/(75) = (4)/(75).

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Probability

Q19 jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Variance of Random Variable
Three rotten apples are accidently mixed with fifteen good apples. Assuming the random variable X to be the number of rotten apples in a draw of two apples, the variance of X is
  • A. (37)/(153)
  • B. (57)/(153)
  • C. (47)/(153)
  • D. (40)/(153)

Solution

Core Logic

Total apples = 18 (3 rotten, 15 good). Random variable X = 0, 1, 2 representing the number of rotten apples.

Step 1: Probability Distribution
P(X = 0) = ¹⁵C₂¹⁸C₂ = (105)/(153) P(X = 1) = ³C₁ × ¹⁵C₁¹⁸C₂ = (45)/(153) P(X = 2) = ³C₂¹⁸C₂ = (3)/(153)
Step 2: Expectation
E(X) = 0 × (105)/(153) + 1 × (45)/(153) + 2 × (3)/(153) = (51)/(153) = (1)/(3)
Step 3: Variance
E(X²) = 0 × (105)/(153) + 1 × (45)/(153) + 4 × (3)/(153) = (57)/(153) Var(X) = E(X²) - (E(X))² = (57)/(153) - ((1)/(3))² = (57)/(153) - (17)/(153) = (40)/(153)
Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Probability

More Probability Questions — jee_main_2026_23_january_evening

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