Question

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

a. 5/6

b. 3.5

c. 0

Short answer

3.5 could not possibly be a probability because it is more than 1.

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?

(a). 5/6 (b). 3.5 (c). 0

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

The given chance of an incident is 5/6.

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

$\frac{5}{6}=0.833$

0.833 is a number that falls between 0 and 1.

As a result, the chance of an event is 0.833.

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

The given chance of an incident is 3.5.

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

3.5 is a number that does not fall between 0 and 1.

Therefore, the chance of an event being 3.5 is not a probability.

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

Given possible probability is 0.

As we know that 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 0.

Therefore, 0 is the probability of an event occurring.