Defective Watches Inspection Probability

CMAT 2025 · Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation · Hard · Quantitative Techniques

A consignment of 15 wrist watches contains 4 defectives. The wrist watches are selected at random, one by one and examined. The ones examined are not replaced back. What is the probability that ninth one examined is the last defective?

  1. A.

    11/195

  2. B.

    8/195

  3. C.

    17/195

  4. D.

    16/195

Answer

B

Explanation

For the 9th watch to be the 4th defective, exactly 3 defectives must be chosen in the first 8 examinations, and the 9th watch must be defective. Ways to select 3 defectives and 5 non-defectives in the first 8 items = (43)×(115)\binom{4}{3} \times \binom{11}{5}. Total ways to pick 8 items out of 15 = (158)\binom{15}{8}. Probability of having 3 defectives in first 8 = (43)(115)(158)\frac{\binom{4}{3} \binom{11}{5}}{\binom{15}{8}}. Then probability that 9th is the remaining 1 defective out of 7 remaining watches = 17\frac{1}{7}. Total probability = (43)(115)(158)×17=8195\frac{\binom{4}{3} \binom{11}{5}}{\binom{15}{8}} \times \frac{1}{7} = \frac{8}{195}.

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