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Question

If the odds in favour of any random event A are 5 ∶ 6, then the odds against the event are:

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2020 (Tier-2) Statistics Previous Year Paper 3 (28-Jan-2022)
The correct answer is

6 ∶ 5

Calculating Odds Against an Event

The question asks us to determine the odds against a random event A, given that the odds in favour of event A are 5 ∶ 6.

Understanding Odds in Probability

In probability, odds represent the ratio of outcomes rather than the ratio of outcomes to the total possible outcomes (which is what probability does). There are two main types of odds:

  • Odds in favour: This is the ratio of the number of favourable outcomes to the number of unfavourable outcomes.
  • Odds against: This is the ratio of the number of unfavourable outcomes to the number of favourable outcomes.

Applying the Concepts to Event A

We are given that the odds in favour of event A are 5 ∶ 6.

This can be interpreted as:

  • Number of favourable outcomes for event A = 5
  • Number of unfavourable outcomes for event A = 6

The total number of possible outcomes is the sum of favourable and unfavourable outcomes:

\(\text{Total Outcomes} = \text{Favourable Outcomes} + \text{Unfavourable Outcomes}\)

\(\text{Total Outcomes} = 5 + 6 = 11\)

Determining the Odds Against Event A

The odds against event A are defined as the ratio of the number of unfavourable outcomes to the number of favourable outcomes.

\(\text{Odds Against A} = \frac{\text{Number of Unfavourable Outcomes}}{\text{Number of Favourable Outcomes}}\)

\(\text{Odds Against A} = \frac{6}{5}\)

Therefore, the odds against event A are 6 ∶ 5.

We can also relate odds to probability. If the odds in favour of A are 5 ∶ 6:

  • Probability of A (P(A)) = \(\frac{\text{Favourable Outcomes}}{\text{Total Outcomes}} = \frac{5}{11}\)
  • Probability of not A (P(A')) = \(\frac{\text{Unfavourable Outcomes}}{\text{Total Outcomes}} = \frac{6}{11}\)

The odds against A can also be expressed as the ratio of P(A') to P(A):

\(\text{Odds Against A} = \frac{P(A')}{P(A)} = \frac{6/11}{5/11} = \frac{6}{5}\)

Both methods confirm that the odds against event A are 6 ∶ 5.

Concept Ratio Description
Odds in Favour of A 5 ∶ 6 Favourable ∶ Unfavourable
Odds Against A 6 ∶ 5 Unfavourable ∶ Favourable

Revision Table: Odds Terminology

This table summarises the key terms related to odds.

Term Formula (using F=Favourable, U=Unfavourable) Example (Odds in Favour 5:6)
Odds in Favour F ∶ U 5 ∶ 6
Odds Against U ∶ F 6 ∶ 5
Probability of Event F / (F + U) 5 / (5 + 6) = 5/11
Probability of Complement U / (F + U) 6 / (5 + 6) = 6/11

Additional Information: Odds vs. Probability

It's important to distinguish between odds and probability:

  • Probability: Probability is the ratio of the number of specific outcomes to the total number of possible outcomes. It is a value between 0 and 1 (or 0% and 100%). \(P(\text{Event}) = \frac{\text{Number of specific outcomes}}{\text{Total number of outcomes}}\).
  • Odds: Odds compare the number of outcomes of one type to the number of outcomes of another type (favourable vs. unfavourable). Odds are expressed as a ratio, e.g., a ∶ b. Odds can be greater than 1.

Conversion between Odds and Probability:

  • If odds in favour are a ∶ b, then \(P(\text{Event}) = \frac{a}{a+b}\).
  • If probability is p, then the odds in favour are \(p : (1-p)\).
  • If odds against are a ∶ b, then \(P(\text{Event}) = \frac{b}{a+b}\).
  • If probability is p, then the odds against are \((1-p) : p\).
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