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AQA GCSE · Question 14.1 · Probability

Section A Section B Pass Fail --------- ---------- Pass Fail 0.78 -------- Pass Fail --------- ------------

A test consists of two sections, A and B.

  • 85% of people pass section A.
  • 78% of people who pass section A also pass section B.
  • 36% of people who fail section A also fail section B.
    Complete the tree diagram.

How to approach this question

1. Convert the given percentages to decimals. 2. Fill in the known probabilities on the diagram: P(Pass A) = 0.85, P(Pass B | Pass A) = 0.78, P(Fail B | Fail A) = 0.36. 3. Use the rule that probabilities on branches from a single point must add up to 1. 4. Calculate P(Fail A) = 1 - P(Pass A). 5. Calculate P(Fail B | Pass A) = 1 - P(Pass B | Pass A). 6. Calculate P(Pass B | Fail A) = 1 - P(Fail B | Fail A). 7. Write these calculated probabilities on the correct branches.

Full Answer

The completed tree diagram should have the following probabilities on the branches: - P(Pass A) = 0.85 - P(Fail A) = 1 - 0.85 = 0.15 - P(Pass B | Pass A) = 0.78 - P(Fail B | Pass A) = 1 - 0.78 = 0.22 - P(Fail B | Fail A) = 0.36 - P(Pass B | Fail A) = 1 - 0.36 = 0.64
A tree diagram shows the probabilities of sequential events. The probabilities on any set of branches that start from the same point must sum to 1. 1. **First set of branches (Section A):** We are given that P(Pass A) = 85% = 0.85. Therefore, P(Fail A) = 1 - P(Pass A) = 1 - 0.85 = 0.15. 2. **Second set of branches (after passing Section A):** We are given the conditional probability P(Pass B | Pass A) = 78% = 0.78. (This is the probability of passing B *given that* they passed A). Therefore, P(Fail B | Pass A) = 1 - P(Pass B | Pass A) = 1 - 0.78 = 0.22. 3. **Third set of branches (after failing Section A):** We are given P(Fail B | Fail A) = 36% = 0.36. Therefore, P(Pass B | Fail A) = 1 - P(Fail B | Fail A) = 1 - 0.36 = 0.64. These are the four values needed to complete the diagram.

Common mistakes

✗ Putting the wrong probabilities on the branches. For example, putting P(Fail A) as 1 - 0.78. ✗ Forgetting to convert percentages to decimals. ✗ Calculation errors, e.g., 1 - 0.85 = 0.25.

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