From a standard 52-card deck, what is the probability that a randomly drawn card is a diamond or a king?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 4/13

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
We compute a simple union of two card events: “diamond” or “king”. Since one card (king of diamonds) lies in both sets, inclusion–exclusion is needed to avoid double-counting.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Diamonds = 13 cards.
  • Kings = 4 cards.
  • Overlap = 1 card (king of diamonds).
  • Total cards = 52.


Concept / Approach:
P(diamond ∪ king) = (13 + 4 − 1)/52 = 16/52. Reduce the fraction to simplest terms.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Favorable = 16.Probability = 16/52 = 4/13.


Verification / Alternative check:
Complementary event is “not diamond and not king” = 39/52; thus union is 1 − 39/52 = 13/52? Careful: “not diamond and not king” equals 52 − (diamonds ∪ kings) = 36; hence union is 16/52 = 4/13, matching above.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
4/52 is only diamonds OR only kings if miscounted; 2/13 undercounts; 1/52 is just a single card.


Common Pitfalls:
Double-counting the king of diamonds by simply adding 13 + 4 without subtracting the overlap.


Final Answer:
4/13

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