SOLUTION: Hello! I am stuck on this question. I'm not sure if I should the percentages to decimals, and add them in order to get the probability. Any help is greatly appreciated. I am really

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Question 1167451: Hello! I am stuck on this question. I'm not sure if I should the percentages to decimals, and add them in order to get the probability. Any help is greatly appreciated. I am really confused! Thank you!

A survey of the high school graduating class of 2010, conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, found that there was a 68% chance that a randomly selected student would go on to college. Furthermore, they also discovered that if a student went to college, there is 40% chance the student would work at the same time.
What is the probability that a graduate went to college and work at the same time?

Answer by math_helper(2461)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Convert the percentages to decimals. Example: 90% = 0.90 (move the decimal point two places to the left, this is the same as dividing by 100, remember "per cent" is "per 100")


You will need to multiply because you want P(A and B) where A and B are independent events (A being "going on to college" and B being "working while in college").


P(not going to college) = 1-0.68 = 0.32
P(going to college) = 0.68 (given)
P(working while in college) = 0.40 (given)
P(NOT working while in college) = 1-0.40 = 0.60




College    Working     Probability

   No       No           unknown  \___  combined prob is 1-0.68

   No       Yes          unknown  /

   Yes      No           (0.68)*(0.60)

   Yes      Yes          (0.68)*(0.40) = _______   <<< this case is your Answer




I encourage you to compute not just the answer but all three probabilities and add them.  The sum should be one(1) because this table covers all possible cases.  



 

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