In a race, the odds in favour of horses A,B,C,D are 1:3, 1:4, 1:5 and 1:6 respectively. Find probability that one of the wins the race.
Given, odds in favour of A is
⇒
⇒ 1 – P(A) = 3P(A)
⇒ 4P(A) = 1 ⇒ P(A) = 1/4
Odds in favour of horse B is
⇒
⇒ 1 – P(B) = 4P(B)
⇒ 5P(B) = 1 ⇒ P(B) = 1/5
Odds in favour of horse C is
⇒
⇒ 1 – P(C) = 5P(C)
⇒ 6P(C) = 1 ⇒ P(C) = 1/6
Odds in favour of horse D is
⇒
⇒ 1 – P(D) = 6P(D)
⇒ 7P(D) = 1 ⇒ P(D) = 1/7
We have to find the probability that one of the horses win the race.
∵ only one horse can win the race ⇒ A ,B,C and D are mutually exclusive events.
We need to find P(A ∪ B ∪ C ∪ D).
∵ A ,B,C and D are mutually exclusive events.
∴ P(A ∪ B ∪ C ∪ D) = P(A) + P(B) + P(C) + P(D)
=
Hence,
probability that one of the horses win the race = 319/420