Question:

A letter is known to have arrived by post either from KANPUR or from ANANTPUR. On the envelope just two consecutive letters AN are visible. The probability, that the letter came from ANANTPUR, is:

Updated On: Apr 12, 2026
  • $\frac{7}{10}$
  • $\frac{10}{17}$
  • $\frac{12}{19}$
  • $\frac{7}{19}$
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This is a conditional probability problem that can be solved using Bayes' Theorem. We have two possible sources for a letter, and we are given some evidence (observing 'AN' on the envelope). We need to find the probability of one source given this evidence.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Let's define the events:
$E_1$: The letter is from KANPUR.
$E_2$: The letter is from ANANTPUR.
$A$: The event that two consecutive letters 'AN' are visible on the envelope.
We want to find $P(E_2 | A)$.
Bayes' Theorem states:
\[ P(E_2 | A) = \frac{P(A | E_2) P(E_2)}{P(A | E_1) P(E_1) + P(A | E_2) P(E_2)} \] Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
First, we determine the prior probabilities. Since the letter could be from either place, it's reasonable to assume they are equally likely.
\[ P(E_1) = P(E_2) = \frac{1}{2} \] Next, we calculate the conditional probabilities of observing 'AN' given the source.
For KANPUR ($E_1$):
The word is KANPUR. The possible pairs of consecutive letters are:
KA, AN, NP, PU, UR.
There are a total of 5 pairs of consecutive letters.
The pair 'AN' appears 1 time.
So, the probability of observing 'AN' given the letter is from KANPUR is:
\[ P(A | E_1) = \frac{\text{Number of 'AN' pairs}}{\text{Total number of pairs}} = \frac{1}{5} \] For ANANTPUR ($E_2$):
The word is ANANTPUR. The possible pairs of consecutive letters are:
AN, NA, AN, NT, TP, PU, UR.
There are a total of 7 pairs of consecutive letters.
The pair 'AN' appears 2 times.
So, the probability of observing 'AN' given the letter is from ANANTPUR is:
\[ P(A | E_2) = \frac{\text{Number of 'AN' pairs}}{\text{Total number of pairs}} = \frac{2}{7} \] Now, we apply Bayes' Theorem:
\[ P(E_2 | A) = \frac{P(A | E_2) P(E_2)}{P(A | E_1) P(E_1) + P(A | E_2) P(E_2)} \] \[ P(E_2 | A) = \frac{\left(\frac{2}{7}\right) \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)}{\left(\frac{1}{5}\right) \left(\frac{1}{2}\right) + \left(\frac{2}{7}\right) \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)} \] We can cancel the common factor of $1/2$ from the numerator and denominator:
\[ P(E_2 | A) = \frac{\frac{2}{7}}{\frac{1}{5} + \frac{2}{7}} \] Now, simplify the denominator:
\[ \frac{1}{5} + \frac{2}{7} = \frac{7 \times 1 + 5 \times 2}{5 \times 7} = \frac{7 + 10}{35} = \frac{17}{35} \] So, the probability is:
\[ P(E_2 | A) = \frac{\frac{2}{7}}{\frac{17}{35}} = \frac{2}{7} \times \frac{35}{17} = 2 \times \frac{5}{17} = \frac{10}{17} \] Step 4: Final Answer:
The probability that the letter came from ANANTPUR is $\frac{10}{17}$.
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