Some question: During a particular baseball game, the probability of a team's pitcher throwing a strike on each throw is 2/5. What is the least number of times that the pitcher should pitch the ball that will increase the probability of getting a strike at least once to more than 50%.
Options:
(A) 3
(B) 2
(C) 1
(D) 4
(E) 5
Some stream of consciousness:
Rule of Subtraction: P(A) = 1 - P(A')
Rule of Multiplication: P(A B) = P(A) P(B)
The probability that the pitcher throws a strike at least once in 2 guesses is 1- (3/5)^2 = 1 - 9/25 = 16/25 > 50%. The answer: (B).