Question

A model builder has 30 pieces of balsa wood in a box. Four pieces are 15 inches long, 10 pieces are 12 inches long, and the rest are 8 inches long. What is the probability the builder will pull an 8-inch piece from the box without looking?

Answer 1

There is about a 16.5% chance to pull an 8-inch piece, this is theoretical probability though.

Answer 2

The probability is 53.33%.

Explanation:

A model builder has 30 pieces of balsa wood in a box.

4 pieces are 15 inches long.

10 pieces are 12 inches long.

Says rest are 8 inches. So, rest are
`(30-14=16)`

16 pieces are 8 inches long.

Now, we have to tell the probability the builder will pull an 8-inch piece from the box without looking.

The probability is given by=

`(number of possible outcomes)/(total number of outcomes)`

Hence, the probability is :
`(16)/(30)` or
`(8)/(15)`

If we want this in percentage this is 53.33%.