SOLUTION: THis question is coming from Quantitive Methods and concerns Marginal and Joint probability. It is a 2 part question. I completely do not understand how to solve this problem. I do

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: THis question is coming from Quantitive Methods and concerns Marginal and Joint probability. It is a 2 part question. I completely do not understand how to solve this problem. I do      Log On


   



Question 225375: THis question is coming from Quantitive Methods and concerns Marginal and Joint probability. It is a 2 part question. I completely do not understand how to solve this problem. I do not understand how to formulate to solve:
"A metro school system consists of 2 districts: north and south. The north district contains 60% of all students and the south district contains 40% of all students. A competency test was given to all students. 10% of the north district failed and 15% of the south district failed."
Question A: What is the probability that a student from the entire school system, chosen at random, has passed?
Question B using Bayes Rule: What is the probability that a student who has failed the test came from the South District?
Any help is learning how to EASILY formulate and solve would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
working with a numerical example makes this more straight forward

say 1000 students in the system

"The north district contains 60% of all students" ___ (60%)1000 = 600

"the south district contains 40% of all students" ___ (40%)1000 = 400

"10% of the north district failed" ___ (10%)600 = 60

"15% of the south district failed" ___ (15%)400 = 60

A: 120 out of 1000 failed, so 880 passed (1000-120)
___ probability of a student from the system passing is 880/1000 or .88

B: 120 failed and 60 of those came from South
___ probability of a failed student from South is 60/120 or .5