Stuck with probability question involving tree diagram?

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SUMMARY

The probability question involves Suzi, who randomly selects from five golf clubs, with the probabilities of making good or bad shots depending on whether she chooses the right or wrong club. The established probabilities are P(right club) = 1/5 and P(wrong club) = 4/5. To solve part (b), the probability that she reaches the green in at most two shots is calculated by summing the probabilities of at least one good shot or using the complement method to find the probability of two bad shots, which results in the answer of 5/9.

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tantrik
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Dear friends,

I'm unable to solve the following probability question. Please help me solve it. Thanks in advance. The answer given in the book is: 5/9 [for part (b)]. Don't know even if the answer is correct.

Suzi has taken up golf, and she buys a golf bag containing five different clubs. Unfortunately she does not know when to use each club, and so chooses them randomly for each shot. The probabilities for each shot that Suzi makes are shown below

Right club
--------------
Good shot - 2/3
Bad shot - 1/3

Wrong club
-----------------
Good shot - 1/4
Bad shot - 3/4

a) Use the above information to construct a tree diagram.
b) At one short hole, she can reach the green in one shot if it is 'good'. If her first shot is 'bad', it takes one more 'good' shot to reach the green. Find the probability that she reaches the green in at most two shots.


I drew the tree diagram given below. Don't know whether it is correct or not. Problem is what would be the values for P(right club) and P(wrong club). Still I don't know which outcomes should I take for finding the solution to part (b). Let me know what to do next.View attachment 5996
 

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tantrik said:
Dear friends,

I'm unable to solve the following probability question. Please help me solve it. Thanks in advance. The answer given in the book is: 5/9 [for part (b)]. Don't know even if the answer is correct.

Suzi has taken up golf, and she buys a golf bag containing five different clubs. Unfortunately she does not know when to use each club, and so chooses them randomly for each shot. The probabilities for each shot that Suzi makes are shown below

Right club
--------------
Good shot - 2/3
Bad shot - 1/3

Wrong club
-----------------
Good shot - 1/4
Bad shot - 3/4

a) Use the above information to construct a tree diagram.
b) At one short hole, she can reach the green in one shot if it is 'good'. If her first shot is 'bad', it takes one more 'good' shot to reach the green. Find the probability that she reaches the green in at most two shots.


I drew the tree diagram given below. Don't know whether it is correct or not. Problem is what would be the values for P(right club) and P(wrong club). Still I don't know which outcomes should I take for finding the solution to part (b). Let me know what to do next.

Hi tantrik! Welcome to MHB! ;)

You're tree diagram is fine for part b (for part a we shouldn't have the last level).

The values for 'right club' and 'wrong club' follow from "Unfortunately she does not know when to use each club, and so chooses them randomly for each shot".
It means 50-50.
That is, P(right club) = 1/2.

To solve part b, we need to sum the probabilities where at least one shot is good.
Or alternatively, which is easier, sum the probabilities where both shots are bad (the complement), and subtract it from 1.
 
I believe (trembling with terror) that I like Serena is wrong. Since there are 5 clubs and Suzi chooses the club for each shot at random, then (assuming there is exactly one club that is "right" for each shot), the probability Suzi chooses the right club is 1/5, the probability Suzi chooses the wrong club is 4/5.
 
I agree with HallsofIvy.
Oh, and sorry for coming down a bit hard last time round.
 

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