Single draw from a 52-card deck. What is the probability of drawing a king or a queen?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 2/13

Explanation:

Introduction / Context:We seek the probability that a single draw yields either a king or a queen.

Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Kings = 4.
  • Queens = 4.
  • Total favorable = 8; deck size = 52.

Concept / Approach:Events K and Q are disjoint in one draw, so P(K ∪ Q) = P(K) + P(Q) = 4/52 + 4/52.

Step-by-Step Solution:Probability = 8/52 = 2/13.

Verification / Alternative check:Simplify 8/52 by dividing by 4 to obtain 2/13.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:1/26 counts only one rank; 1/13 is for a specific named rank; 3/26 is 6/52, undercounting.

Common Pitfalls:Accidentally including jacks or aces; double-counting is not an issue here because the sets are disjoint.

Final Answer:2/13

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion