2006-07-12 10:32:34 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
1/2
the events are independent
2006-07-12 10:34:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think some people are reading too much into this question. Somebody mentioned that the two incidents are mutually exclusive, and that person is correct. Desolator814 said that the chances were 1 in 4 but this would only be correct if the question had said "A person has 2 children, what are the chances of both of them being a boy"? Since we know that one of them is a boy this reduces the chances to 1 in 2 or 50/50.
Bob-G said that the chances are 1 in 3, but again, it doesn't matter in what order the children are born, the chances are still 50/50.
2006-07-12 11:36:12 · answer #2 · answered by brainyandy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a 50/50 chance that that person has 2 sons
2006-07-12 11:08:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1/2
2006-07-12 10:36:10 · answer #4 · answered by None 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1/3
If the family has 2 children, the possible combinations are:
Older son, younger son
Older son, younger daughter
Older daughter, younger son
Older daughter, younger daughter.
The fact that you know one of the kids is a son eliminates the last one. Of the three remaining, only the first one has the other kid being a son.
Now, if they told you their oldest kid was a son, you'd eliminate the last two options. Of the remaining two options, one would have the other kid being a son, giving you a chance of 1/2.
If, instead, they told you they had a daughter, the first option would be eliminated. Two of the remaining options would include a son, giving you a chance of 2/3 that the other kid is a son.
The amount of info you actually have determines the chances of you guessing the sex of the remaining kid.
2006-07-12 10:51:21 · answer #5 · answered by Bob G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1/4 since the probability of having two sons is 1/2 x 1/2 = 1/4
where each 1/2 is for one son.
2006-07-12 10:36:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the odds are less than 50% due to the fact that if it was another son they would have said they have 2 boys
2006-07-12 10:44:07 · answer #7 · answered by rob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
50/50
2006-07-12 10:35:25 · answer #8 · answered by donna 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if the other is a son they wouldn't have worded it in that way... they would have said "one is a son" instead of "One, a son".
2006-07-12 10:40:09 · answer #9 · answered by dellamonster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
50%, assuming they are natural born. If the children were adopted, it would depend on the personality of the one adopting.
2006-07-12 10:37:01 · answer #10 · answered by Tim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with rob. They would have said 2 sons.so I would say the chances are zero.
2006-07-12 10:51:33 · answer #11 · answered by auntienanny230 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋