The following distribution table represents preferences for two types of cereals by 2000 boys and girls. Find the probability that an individual selected at random will be a boy and prefer Fruity cereal.
A) 500/1,000
B) 500/2,000
C) 1,200/2,000
D) 500/1,200

Question

The following distribution table represents preferences for two types of cereals by 2000 boys and girls.  Find the probability that an individual selected at random will be a boy and prefer Fruity cereal.
A) 500/1,000 
B) 500/2,000 
C) 1,200/2,000 
D) 500/1,200

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The probability that an individual selected at random will be a boy and prefer Fruity cereal is given by the frequency of boys who prefer Fruity cereal divided by the total number of individuals in the sample. From the table, we see that 500 boys prefer Fruity cereal out of a total of 2000 individuals, therefore the probability is 500/2000, which reduces to 1/4, or 0.25. Option B) is the closest to this probability, as it states 500/2000, which is equivalent to a probability of 0.25.

The Following Distribution Table Represents Preferences for Two Types of Cereals