Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
A couple has two female children. What is the probability that their next child will be male?
A
1/4
B
1/2
C
2/3
D
1/3
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the sex of each child is an independent event, meaning the outcome of previous children does not affect the next child's sex.
Recall that the probability of having a male child is generally 1/2, and the probability of having a female child is also 1/2, assuming equal likelihood.
Note that the fact the couple already has two female children does not change the probability for the next child, because each birth is independent.
Therefore, the probability that the next child will be male remains the same as the basic probability for any single birth, which is 1/2.
Conclude that the correct answer is the probability of having a male child, which is $\frac{1}{2}$.