SOLUTION: I have a simple probability problem that I think I solved, but I am unsure of my answer. Here is the situation: There are 160 girls and 96 boys enrolled at a high school. The sc

Question 303255: I have a simple probability problem that I think I solved, but I am unsure of my answer. Here is the situation:
There are 160 girls and 96 boys enrolled at a high school. The school newspaper will randomly select a student to be interviewed. What is the probability of selecting a girl?
My answer:
160+96 = 256 (total students, total outcome)

P = 160 (girls)
__________________
256 (total outcome)
Simplify
160/256 = 5/8
Decimal
.625
Percent
62.5%
OR!
Alternate answer:
P = 2 (favorable outcomes)
_______________________
256 (possible outcomes)
Simplify
2/256 = 1/128
Decimal
.70
Percent
70%
If anyone comes out with a different answer, please correct me. I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
Lauren

Answer by Fombitz(32388) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Your first answer is correct.
P(girl)=girls/total=girls/(girls+boys)
.
.
.
I'm not sure about your alternate answer.
That would only be true if there were 2 girls out of 160.
Also, 1/128=0.0078125 or 0.72%
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