SAT Probability and conditional probability Practice Question 10 (Easy)

Question bank / Probability and conditional probability

Math · Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisEasy

A spinner is divided into $4$ equal sections numbered $1$ , $2$ , $3$ , and $4$ . The spinner is spun once and a fair coin is tossed once. What is the probability that the spinner lands on an even number and the coin lands heads up?

$\frac{1}{8}$

$\frac{1}{2}$

$\frac{3}{4}$

$\frac{1}{4}$

Show answer and explanation

Answer: D

The probability of an even number ( $2$ or $4$ ) is $\frac{2}{4} = \frac{1}{2}$ , and the probability of heads is $\frac{1}{2}$ . Because the spin and the toss are independent, multiply: $\frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{4}$ .

Choice A uses the probability of a single number, such as $\frac{1}{4} \cdot \frac{1}{2}$ , instead of the probability of an even number.

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