Question:

A bag contains six balls of different colours. Two balls are drawn in succession with replacement. The probability that both the balls are of the same colour is \(p\). Next four balls are drawn in succession with replacement and the probability that exactly three balls are of the same colour is \(q\). If \(p : q = m : n\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are coprime, then \(m + n\) is equal to :

Show Hint

\(p = 6\cdot\left(\frac{1}{6}\right)^2\). For \(q\), choose the colour (6 ways), the 3 positions (4 ways) and a different colour for the remaining ball (5 ways) out of \(6^4\) outcomes.
Updated On: Nov 2, 2026
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Correct Answer: 14

Solution and Explanation

Two draws with replacement: the second ball must match the first, so \(p = \frac{6}{36} = \frac{1}{6}\).
Four draws with replacement, exactly three of the same colour: choose that colour (6 ways), choose which 3 of the 4 draws have it (\(\binom{4}{3} = 4\) ways), and the remaining ball must be one of the other 5 colours (5 ways).
Favourable outcomes \(= 6\cdot 4\cdot 5 = 120\); total \(= 6^4 = 1296\). So \(q = \frac{120}{1296} = \frac{5}{54}\).
\(p : q = \frac{1}{6} : \frac{5}{54} = 9 : 5\), with 9 and 5 coprime. So \(m = 9, n = 5\) and \(m + n = 14\).
Answer: 14
Was this answer helpful?
0
0