Question 9

Mathematics Probability Medium

Two customers, Rachana and Bhakti, are visiting a particular shop in the same week (Tuesday to Saturday). Each is equally likely to visit the shop on any day as on another day. What is the probability that both will visit the shop on consecutive days?

(A) \(\frac{4}{25}\)
(B) \(\frac{16}{25}\)
(C) \(\frac{9}{25}\)
(D) \(\frac{8}{25}\)
View Dynamic Solution & Explanation
Correct Solution: Option D

Step-by-step Solution:

To find the probability, we first need to determine the total number of possible outcomes in the sample space and the number of favorable outcomes.

1. Calculate the Total Number of Outcomes:
The shop is open for 5 days in the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday).
Rachana can visit the shop on any of these 5 days.
Similarly, Bhakti can also visit the shop on any of these 5 days.
Since their choices are independent events, the total number of possible pairs of visit days is:
\[\text{Total Outcomes} = (\text{Choices for Rachana}) \times (\text{Choices for Bhakti}) = 5 \times 5 = 25\]
2. Identify the Favorable Outcomes:
A favorable outcome is one where they visit on consecutive days. First, we list the pairs of consecutive days available:
1. (Tuesday, Wednesday)
2. (Wednesday, Thursday)
3. (Thursday, Friday)
4. (Friday, Saturday)
There are 4 such pairs of days.

For each pair, there are two possible scenarios. For the (Tuesday, Wednesday) pair, for instance:
- Scenario A: Rachana visits on Tuesday and Bhakti visits on Wednesday.
- Scenario B: Rachana visits on Wednesday and Bhakti visits on Tuesday.

Since each of the 4 day-pairs has 2 such scenarios, the total number of favorable outcomes is:
\[\text{Favorable Outcomes} = 4 \text{ pairs} \times 2 \text{ scenarios per pair} = 8\]
3. Calculate the Probability:
The probability of an event is the ratio of the number of favorable outcomes to the total number of outcomes.
\[P(\text{visit on consecutive days}) = \frac{\text{Number of Favorable Outcomes}}{\text{Total Number of Outcomes}}\]
\[P(\text{consecutive days}) = \frac{8}{25}\]
Result:
The probability that both will visit the shop on consecutive days is \(\frac{8}{25}\).