In a class of students, the following data table summarizes how many students play an instrument or a sport. What is the probability that a student who plays an instrument does not play a sport?

Plays an instrument Does not play an instrument
Plays a sport 2 3
Does not play a sport 10 6
Answer

1 answer

To find the probability that a student who plays an instrument does not play a sport, we first need to analyze the provided data table:

| | Plays a Sport | Does Not Play a Sport | |-----------------------|---------------|-----------------------| | Plays an Instrument | 2 | 10 | | Does Not Play an Instrument | 3 | 6 |

From the table, we identify the following numbers:

  • Total students who play an instrument and also play a sport: 2
  • Total students who play an instrument but do not play a sport: 10

Now, we calculate the total number of students who play an instrument:

\[ \text{Total who play an instrument} = \text{Plays a sport} + \text{Does not play a sport} = 2 + 10 = 12 \]

Next, we want to find the number of students who play an instrument and do not play a sport, which is 10.

The probability that a student who plays an instrument does not play a sport is given by the formula:

\[ P(\text{Does not play sport | Plays instrument}) = \frac{\text{Number who play instrument and do not play sport}}{\text{Total who play instrument}} \]

Substituting in the values:

\[ P(\text{Does not play sport | Plays instrument}) = \frac{10}{12} \]

Now, we can simplify this fraction:

\[ = \frac{5}{6} \]

Thus, the probability that a student who plays an instrument does not play a sport is \(\frac{5}{6}\).