To calculate the probability of selecting an apple or an orange from the basket of fruits, follow these steps:
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Determine the total number of fruits in the basket:
- Apples: 20
- Watermelon slices: 4
- Oranges: 12
Total fruits = Number of apples + Number of watermelon slices + Number of oranges Total fruits = 20 + 4 + 12 = 36 fruits
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Determine the number of favorable outcomes (choosing an apple or an orange):
- Favorable outcomes = Number of apples + Number of oranges
- Favorable outcomes = 20 + 12 = 32
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Calculate the probability of selecting an apple or an orange: \[ \text{Probability} = \frac{\text{Number of favorable outcomes}}{\text{Total number of fruits}} = \frac{32}{36} \]
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Simplify the fraction: To simplify \(\frac{32}{36}\), find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 32 and 36. The GCD is 4.
\[ \frac{32 \div 4}{36 \div 4} = \frac{8}{9} \]
Therefore, the probability of selecting an apple or an orange is \(\frac{8}{9}\).