Light Bulb Probability

What is the probability of selecting a new light bulb and then a used light bulb?

Answer:

(9/35) = 0.257

Answer

The probability that Meredith will select a new light bulb and then a used light bulb in sequential order without replacement is around 26%.

In this scenario, there are a total of 15 light bulbs in the box, consisting of 9 new light bulbs and 6 used light bulbs. Meredith will randomly select 2 light bulbs from the box without replacement.

To calculate the probability of selecting a new light bulb first and then a used light bulb, we use the multiplication rules of probability since each event is independent.

Firstly, the probability of picking a new light bulb is 9/15, as there are 9 new light bulbs out of the total 15. After picking a new light bulb, there are 14 light bulbs left in the box.

Secondly, the probability of picking a used light bulb from the remaining bulbs is 6/14. Multiplying these probabilities together gives us (9/15) * (6/14) = 54/210 = 0.257, which is equivalent to approximately 26%.

Final Thoughts

The probability of Meredith selecting a new light bulb and then a used light bulb in sequential order highlights the importance of understanding basic principles of probability when dealing with random events.