Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 13 Ex 13.2 – Independent Events | Boundless Maths
Ex 13.2 Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions · Chapter 13

Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 13 Ex 13.2 – Independent Events

Free, step-by-step Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions for Chapter 13 Ex 13.2 — all 18 questions solved, testing and applying the independence condition P(A ∩ B) = P(A) · P(B) for two events.

Questions 1–11 all rest on the independence condition P(A ∩ B) = P(A) · P(B), used in different ways. Question 1 simply applies it to find P(A ∩ B), while Questions 4, 5, 6 and 10 test whether given events satisfy it — a coin with a die, a die marked in two colours, and pairs of probabilities that either multiply out or don't. Question 7 runs the idea backwards to find an unknown probability p, and Questions 8 and 11 use it to find combined probabilities for events stated to be independent. Questions 2, 3 and 9 are the exceptions: Questions 2 and 3 draw without replacement, so the multiplication rule with conditional probability is needed, and Question 9 uses P(A ∪ B) and complements. Questions 12–14 use independence to build up combined-event probabilities — at least one odd number across three throws of a die, balls drawn with replacement, and two people attempting a problem independently of each other. Question 15 checks three specific pairs of card-drawing events for independence side by side, and Question 16 applies conditional probability to a real newspaper-readership statistic. The exercise closes with two MCQs — one a direct probability calculation, one testing the formal definition of independence itself.

18Questions
Easy–HardDifficulty Mix
2026-27CBSE Syllabus

Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 13 Ex 13.2 — All 18 Questions

1

If P(A)=\dfrac35 and P(B)=\dfrac15, find P(A\cap B) if A and B are independent events.

Easy +
Solution

Since A and B are independent, P(A\cap B)=P(A)\cdot P(B)=\dfrac35\times\dfrac15=\dfrac{3}{25}.

P(A∩B) = \dfrac{3}{25}
2

Two cards are drawn at random and without replacement from a pack of 52 playing cards. Find the probability that both the cards are black.

Easy +
Solution

Let E: first card is black, F: second card is black. P(E)=\dfrac{26}{52}=\dfrac12. Once one black card is removed, 25 of the remaining 51 cards are black, so P(F|E)=\dfrac{25}{51}.

By the multiplication rule, P(E\cap F)=P(E)\cdot P(F|E)=\dfrac12\times\dfrac{25}{51}=\dfrac{25}{102}.

Required probability = \dfrac{25}{102}
3

A box of oranges is inspected by examining three randomly selected oranges drawn without replacement. If all the three oranges are good, the box is approved for sale, otherwise, it is rejected. Find the probability that a box containing 15 oranges out of which 12 are good and 3 are bad ones will be approved for sale.

Medium +
Solution

Let E_1,E_2,E_3 denote "1st, 2nd, 3rd orange drawn is good," respectively. The box is approved when all three occur together.

P(E_1)=\dfrac{12}{15}. Given the first orange was good, 11 good oranges remain out of 14, so P(E_2|E_1)=\dfrac{11}{14}.

Given both were good, 10 good oranges remain out of 13, so P(E_3|E_1\cap E_2)=\dfrac{10}{13}.

By the multiplication rule, P(E_1\cap E_2\cap E_3)=\dfrac{12}{15}\times\dfrac{11}{14}\times\dfrac{10}{13}=\dfrac{1320}{2730}=\dfrac{44}{91}.

Required probability = \dfrac{44}{91}
4

A fair coin and an unbiased die are tossed. Let A be the event ‘head appears on the coin’ and B be the event ‘3 on the die’. Check whether A and B are independent events or not.

Easy +
Solution

The sample space has 12 equally likely outcomes: S=\{(H,1),(H,2),(H,3),(H,4),(H,5),(H,6),(T,1),(T,2),(T,3),(T,4),(T,5),(T,6)\}.

A=\{(H,1),(H,2),(H,3),(H,4),(H,5),(H,6)\}, so P(A)=\dfrac{6}{12}=\dfrac12. B=\{(H,3),(T,3)\}, so P(B)=\dfrac{2}{12}=\dfrac16.

A\cap B=\{(H,3)\}, so P(A\cap B)=\dfrac{1}{12}. Also P(A)\cdot P(B)=\dfrac12\times\dfrac16=\dfrac{1}{12}.

Since P(A\cap B)=P(A)\cdot P(B), A and B are independent.

A and B are independent events.
5

A die marked 1, 2, 3 in red and 4, 5, 6 in green is tossed. Let A be the event, ‘the number is even,’ and B be the event, ‘the number is red’. Are A and B independent?

Medium +
Solution

A=\{2,4,6\}, so P(A)=\dfrac12. B=\{1,2,3\}, so P(B)=\dfrac12. Then P(A)\cdot P(B)=\dfrac14.

A\cap B=\{2\} — the only outcome that is both even and red — so P(A\cap B)=\dfrac16.

Since \dfrac16\neq\dfrac14, the independence condition fails.

A and B are not independent.
6

Let E and F be events with P(E)=\dfrac35, P(F)=\dfrac{3}{10} and P(E\cap F)=\dfrac15. Are E and F independent?

Easy +
Solution

P(E)\cdot P(F)=\dfrac35\times\dfrac{3}{10}=\dfrac{9}{50}, while the given P(E\cap F)=\dfrac15=\dfrac{10}{50}.

Since P(E\cap F)\neq P(E)\cdot P(F), the events fail the independence condition.

E and F are not independent.
7

Given that the events A and B are such that P(A)=\dfrac12, P(A\cup B)=\dfrac35 and P(B)=p. Find p if they are (i) mutually exclusive (ii) independent.

Medium +
Solution

(i) For mutually exclusive events, P(A\cup B)=P(A)+P(B), so \dfrac35=\dfrac12+p, giving p=\dfrac35-\dfrac12=\dfrac{1}{10}.

(ii) For independent events, P(A\cup B)=P(A)+P(B)-P(A)P(B), so \dfrac35=\dfrac12+p-\dfrac12 p=\dfrac12+\dfrac{p}{2}. Then \dfrac{p}{2}=\dfrac{1}{10}, giving p=\dfrac15.

(i) p=\dfrac{1}{10}   (ii) p=\dfrac15
8

Let A and B be independent events with P(A)=0.3 and P(B)=0.4. Find
(i) P(A\cap B),
(ii) P(A\cup B),
(iii) P(A|B),
(iv) P(B|A).

Easy +
Solution

(i) P(A\cap B)=P(A)\cdot P(B)=0.3\times0.4=0.12.

(ii) P(A\cup B)=P(A)+P(B)-P(A\cap B)=0.3+0.4-0.12=0.58.

(iii) Since A and B are independent, P(A|B)=P(A)=0.3.

(iv) Similarly, P(B|A)=P(B)=0.4.

0.12,   0.58,   0.3,   0.4
9

If A and B are two events such that P(A)=\dfrac14, P(B)=\dfrac12 and P(A\cap B)=\dfrac18, find P(\text{not }A\text{ and not }B).

Medium +
Solution

P(\text{not }A\text{ and not }B)=P(A'\cap B')=1-P(A\cup B), by De Morgan's law.

P(A\cup B)=P(A)+P(B)-P(A\cap B)=\dfrac14+\dfrac12-\dfrac18=\dfrac28+\dfrac48-\dfrac18=\dfrac58.

So P(A'\cap B')=1-\dfrac58=\dfrac38.

P(not A and not B) = \dfrac{3}{8}
10

Events A and B are such that P(A)=\dfrac12, P(B)=\dfrac{7}{12} and P(\text{not }A\text{ or not }B)=\dfrac14. State whether A and B are independent ?

Medium +
Solution

By De Morgan's law, P(A'\cup B')=1-P(A\cap B), so \dfrac14=1-P(A\cap B), giving P(A\cap B)=\dfrac34.

P(A)\cdot P(B)=\dfrac12\times\dfrac{7}{12}=\dfrac{7}{24}, which does not equal P(A\cap B)=\dfrac34=\dfrac{18}{24}.

A and B are not independent.
11

Given two independent events A and B such that P(A)=0.3, P(B)=0.6. Find
(i) P(A\text{ and }B),
(ii) P(A\text{ and not }B),
(iii) P(A\text{ or }B),
(iv) P(\text{neither }A\text{ nor }B).

Easy +
Solution

(i) P(A\cap B)=P(A)\cdot P(B)=0.3\times0.6=0.18.

(ii) P(A\cap B')=P(A)\cdot P(B')=0.3\times(1-0.6)=0.3\times0.4=0.12.

(iii) P(A\cup B)=P(A)+P(B)-P(A\cap B)=0.3+0.6-0.18=0.72.

(iv) P(A'\cap B')=P(A')\cdot P(B')=0.7\times0.4=0.28, since the complements of independent events are also independent.

0.18,   0.12,   0.72,   0.28
12

A die is tossed thrice. Find the probability of getting an odd number at least once.

Easy +
Solution

It's easier to find the complement: the probability of getting no odd number in any of the three tosses, i.e. every toss shows an even number.

P(\text{even on one toss})=\dfrac12, and the three tosses are independent, so P(\text{no odd in 3 tosses})=\left(\dfrac12\right)^3=\dfrac18.

So P(\text{odd at least once})=1-\dfrac18=\dfrac78.

Required probability = \dfrac{7}{8}
13

Two balls are drawn at random with replacement from a box containing 10 black and 8 red balls. Find the probability that
(i) both balls are red.
(ii) first ball is black and second is red.
(iii) one of them is black and other is red.

Medium +
Solution

The box has 18 balls in total, and since the draws are with replacement, each draw is independent with P(\text{red})=\dfrac{8}{18}=\dfrac49 and P(\text{black})=\dfrac{10}{18}=\dfrac59.

(i) P(\text{both red})=\dfrac49\times\dfrac49=\dfrac{16}{81}.

(ii) P(\text{first black, second red})=\dfrac59\times\dfrac49=\dfrac{20}{81}.

(iii) "One black and one red" happens either as black-then-red or red-then-black: P=\dfrac59\times\dfrac49+\dfrac49\times\dfrac59=\dfrac{20}{81}+\dfrac{20}{81}=\dfrac{40}{81}.

(i) \dfrac{16}{81}   (ii) \dfrac{20}{81}   (iii) \dfrac{40}{81}
14

Probability of solving specific problem independently by A and B are \dfrac12 and \dfrac13 respectively. If both try to solve the problem independently, find the probability that
(i) the problem is solved
(ii) exactly one of them solves the problem.

Medium +
Solution

(i) The problem is solved unless neither A nor B solves it. P(\text{neither solves})=P(A')\cdot P(B')=\left(1-\dfrac12\right)\left(1-\dfrac13\right)=\dfrac12\times\dfrac23=\dfrac13. So P(\text{solved})=1-\dfrac13=\dfrac23.

(ii) "Exactly one solves" is A solves and B doesn't, or B solves and A doesn't: P=P(A)P(B')+P(A')P(B)=\dfrac12\times\dfrac23+\dfrac12\times\dfrac13=\dfrac13+\dfrac16=\dfrac12.

(i) \dfrac23   (ii) \dfrac12
15

One card is drawn at random from a well-shuffled deck of 52 cards. In which of the following cases are the events E and F independent ?
(i) E : ‘the card drawn is a spade’, F : ‘the card drawn is an ace’
(ii) E : ‘the card drawn is black’, F : ‘the card drawn is a king’
(iii) E : ‘the card drawn is a king or queen’, F : ‘the card drawn is a queen or jack’.

Hard +
Solution

(i) P(E)=\dfrac{13}{52}=\dfrac14, P(F)=\dfrac{4}{52}=\dfrac{1}{13}, so P(E)P(F)=\dfrac{1}{52}.

E\cap F is the ace of spades, so P(E\cap F)=\dfrac{1}{52} too. The condition holds — E and F are independent.

(ii) P(E)=\dfrac{26}{52}=\dfrac12, P(F)=\dfrac{4}{52}=\dfrac{1}{13}, so P(E)P(F)=\dfrac{1}{26}.

E\cap F is a black king (2 cards), so P(E\cap F)=\dfrac{2}{52}=\dfrac{1}{26} too. The condition holds — E and F are independent.

(iii) P(E)=\dfrac{8}{52}=\dfrac{2}{13} and P(F)=\dfrac{8}{52}=\dfrac{2}{13}, so P(E)P(F)=\dfrac{4}{169}.

But E\cap F is the set of queens (the only cards common to both), so P(E\cap F)=\dfrac{4}{52}=\dfrac{1}{13}=\dfrac{13}{169}. Since \dfrac{4}{169}\neq\dfrac{13}{169}, the condition fails — E and F are not independent.

(i) independent   (ii) independent   (iii) not independent
16

In a hostel, 60% of the students read Hindi newspaper, 40% read English newspaper and 20% read both Hindi and English newspapers. A student is selected at random.
(a) Find the probability that she reads neither Hindi nor English newspapers.
(b) If she reads Hindi newspaper, find the probability that she reads English newspaper.
(c) If she reads English newspaper, find the probability that she reads Hindi newspaper.

Medium +
Solution

Let H: reads Hindi, E: reads English. P(H)=0.6, P(E)=0.4, P(H\cap E)=0.2.

(a) P(\text{neither})=P(H'\cap E')=1-P(H\cup E)=1-(0.6+0.4-0.2)=1-0.8=0.2.

(b) P(E|H)=\dfrac{P(H\cap E)}{P(H)}=\dfrac{0.2}{0.6}=\dfrac13.

(c) P(H|E)=\dfrac{P(H\cap E)}{P(E)}=\dfrac{0.2}{0.4}=\dfrac12.

(a) 0.2   (b) \dfrac13   (c) \dfrac12
17

MCQ. The probability of obtaining an even prime number on each die, when a pair of dice is rolled is   (A) 0   (B) \dfrac13   (C) \dfrac{1}{12}   (D) \dfrac{1}{36}

Easy +
Solution

The only even prime number is 2, so each die must individually show a 2. P(\text{die shows }2)=\dfrac16, and the two dice are independent, so P(\text{both show }2)=\dfrac16\times\dfrac16=\dfrac{1}{36}.

Answer: (D) \dfrac{1}{36}
18

MCQ. Two events A and B will be independent if:   (A) A and B are mutually exclusive   (B) P(A'B')=[1-P(A)][1-P(B)]   (C) P(A)=P(B)   (D) P(A)+P(B)=1

Easy +
Solution

The defining condition for independence is P(A\cap B)=P(A)\cdot P(B), which is equivalent to P(A'\cap B')=P(A')\cdot P(B')=[1-P(A)][1-P(B)] — this is exactly option (B). Mutually exclusive events with nonzero probability can never be independent, and options (C) and (D) describe unrelated conditions on the individual probabilities.

Answer: (B)
Common Questions

Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 13 Ex 13.2 — FAQs

How many questions are there in Exercise 13.2?

Exercise 13.2 has 18 questions (16 direct problems plus 2 MCQs), all centred on testing or using the independence of two events.

What concept does Exercise 13.2 test?

It tests independent events, defined by P(A ∩ B) = P(A) · P(B). This condition is used both ways in the exercise — checking whether given events satisfy it, and using it to compute unknown probabilities when events are stated to be independent.

Where can I find the official NCERT textbook for this chapter?

Probability is Chapter 13 of the NCERT Class 12 Mathematics textbook (Part II), published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and prescribed by CBSE. You can download the official textbook PDF directly from ncert.nic.in, NCERT's official website — the solutions on this page follow the exercise exactly as it appears there.
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