Question

Which of the following numbers could not possibly be a probability? Justify your answer.

$$\begin{gathered} \left(a\right)0.462 \\ \left(b\right)-0.201 \\ \left(c\right)1 \end{gathered}$$

Short answer

$-0.201$could not possibly be a probability because probability can not be negative.

Step-by-step solution

Part (a) Step 1. Given information.

The given statement is:

Which of the following numbers could not possibly be a probability?

$\left(a\right)0.462,\left(b\right)-0.20,\left(c\right)1$

Part (a) Step 2. Check Whether the given number represents the chance of an event occurring.

The given chance of an incident is 0.462.

We know that an event's probability ranges from 0 to 1, and both are included.

0.462 is a number that falls between 0 and 1.

As a result, the chance of an event is 0.462.

Part (b) Step 1. Check Whether the given number represents the chance of an event occurring or not.

We know that there can't be a negative probability, and also it can't be more than one.

It is assumed that an event's probability is$-0.201$.

It is negative and does not fall between 0 and 1.

As a result, $-0.201$does not represent the chance of an event occurring.

The probability of an event is not equal to $-0.201$.

Part (c) Step 1. Check Whether the given number represents the chance of an event occurring or not.

Given possible probability is 1.

Because the chance of an event ranges from 0 to 1 and both are included,

As a result, the chance of an event is possible for probability 1.

Therefore, 1 is the probability of an event occurring.