Calculate Probability of Heads and Red Balls Drawing
Quick-Fire Probability (CodeSignal-style)
Context: Answer the following independent probability questions, using binomial (independent trials) and hypergeometric (sampling without replacement) rules.
Questions
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You flip a fair coin three times. What is the probability of getting exactly two heads?
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A bag contains 4 red and 6 blue balls (10 total). You draw two balls without replacement. What is the probability that both are red?
Constraints & Assumptions
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Preserve the scope, facts, inputs, and requested outputs from the prompt above.
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If the prompt leaves a detail unspecified, state a reasonable assumption before relying on it.
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Keep the answer interview-ready: concise enough to present, but concrete enough to implement or evaluate.
Clarifying Questions to Ask
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Clarify the random variables, distributional assumptions, independence assumptions, and desired output.
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Show enough derivation for the interviewer to follow the reasoning.
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Explain how you would validate the result with simulation or sensitivity checks.
What a Strong Answer Covers
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A correct setup with definitions, formulas, and boundary conditions.
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A step-by-step derivation or estimation plan.
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Interpretation of the result, including uncertainty and practical limitations.
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Checks for assumptions, edge cases, and numerical stability.
Follow-up Questions
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How would the result change if the assumptions were relaxed?
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Can you verify the answer with a simulation?
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What is the most likely source of estimation error?