Probability Concepts for CAT Exam Preparation

FREE Online CAT 2021 Course

• 1000+ Video tutorials covering entire CAT syllabus
• 400+ Quizzes with more than 5000 solved examples
• 35 Mock Tests with detailed solutions and analysis
• Integrated doubt forum with prompt support
• Preparation for other MBA entrance exams

The CAT exam quantitative aptitude section includes several questions from the topic of probability. Probability is nothing but a chance that some event might occur. More formally, it calculates a numerical value between 0 and 1 that represents the likelihood that an event might occur. Thus it is important to remember that

• if the probability for an Event to occur is 1 than that event is always certain to occur
• if the probability is 0 then that event will never occur

It is widely used in almost every field especially in the field of economics and finance. Before we delve deep into probability let us first familiarise ourselves with few of the basic terms of probability that will be useful for you to prepare for CAT exam.

Independent Events: When the occurrence of one event has no bearing on the probability of the other event.

$latex \displaystyle \text{Probability of an Event} \\ \text{= }\frac{{\text{Favourable Outcome}}}{{\text{Total Number of Outcomes}}}$

Combination of Events :

AND/OR Event

1)Probability of event A and event B occurring = p(A) $latex \displaystyle \times$ p(B)

2)Probability of event A or event B occurring = p(A) $latex \displaystyle +$ p(B)

Example 1 : The probability of A doing a task is $latex \displaystyle \frac{1}{3}$ and that of B is $latex \displaystyle \frac{1}{5}$. What is the probability that either of them completes the task.

Sol – Here the probability is of either A OR B doing the task

$latex \displaystyle \text{= p(A)+p(B) = }\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{5}=\frac{8}{{15}}$

Example 2 : Probability of A hitting the target is ¼ and that of B hitting the target is 1/7 then probability that both hit the target if they get one shot each is ?

Sol – We want A AND B both to hit the target

$latex \displaystyle \text{= p(A)}\times \text{p(B) = }\frac{1}{4}\times \frac{1}{7}=\frac{1}{{28}}$

Some more solved examples :

Example 7 : You have 30 green, 22 red and 14 pink socks scattered across the floor in dark. Minimum how many socks should you grab to make a matching pair (assume that a pair has two identical socks)?

I hope these examples help you understand the fundamentals of probability for your CAT exam preparation. To explore our full range of videos, mocks and sectional tests click here.