There are 10 cards in a basket—two of each numbered from 1 to 5. Two cards are randomly selected. The first card is replaced before the second card is selected. What is the probability that a 2 is drawn by a 4? Express your answer in lowest terms.
What’s the answer?
The probability of drawing a 2 followed by a 4 is calculated by multiplying the individual probabilities of drawing a 2 and then a 4.
There are 2 cards with the number 2 out of the total 10 cards, so the probability of drawing a 2 on the first draw is 2/10.
Similarly, there are 2 cards with the number 4 out of the total 10 cards, so the probability of drawing a 4 on the second draw is also 2/10.
Therefore, the probability of drawing a 2 followed by a 4 is (2/10) * (2/10) = 4/100 = 1/25.
So, the probability that a 2 is drawn followed by a 4 is 1/25.