ACT Math · Probability and counting

Of 60 students, 35 play a sport, and 20 of those 35 also play an instrument. If a student who plays a sport is selected at random, what is…

Of 60 students, 35 play a sport, and 20 of those 35 also play an instrument. If a student who plays a sport is selected at random, what is the probability that student also plays an instrument?

Answer and explanation

Answer: J: 4/7

This is a conditional probability. We are told the student plays a sport, so the sample space is the 3535 sport players, not all 6060 students. Of those, 2020 also play an instrument, so the probability is 2035=47\frac{20}{35}=\frac{4}{7}, choice J. Choice F (2060\frac{20}{60}) divides by all students, ignoring the condition. Choice H (3560\frac{35}{60}) is the probability that a random student plays a sport. Choice G (1535\frac{15}{35}) is the probability that a sport player does not play an instrument, since 35−20=1535-20=15.

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