A drawer of loose socks contains 2 red socks, 2 green socks, and 6 white socks. Which best describes how to determine the probability of pulling out a white sock, not replacing it, and pulling out another white sock?
Answer
A
The probability that the first sock is white is 6 tenths and that the second sock is white is 6 tenths , so the probability of choosing a pair of white socks is 36 over 100 is equal to 18 over 50 .
B
The probability that the first sock is white is 1 tenth and that the second sock is white is 1 tenth , so the probability of choosing a pair of white socks is open paren 1 over 100 close paren .
C
The probability that the first sock is white is 6 tenths and that the second sock is white is 5 ninths , so the probability of choosing a pair of white socks is 30 over 90 is equal to 1 third .
D
The probability that the first sock is white is 1 tenth and that the second sock is white is 1 ninth , so the probability of choosing a pair of white socks is 1 over 90 .
Explanation
There are 10 socks total, so the probability that the first sock is white is 6/10. Because the sock is not replaced, 9 socks remain, including 5 white socks; the probability the second sock is white is 5/9. Multiply the probabilities: (6/10) × (5/9) = 30/90 = 1/3. Choice C correctly accounts for not replacing the first sock.
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