Question

Which of the following cannot be the probability of an event?

(A) $\frac{1}{3}$ (B) $0.1$ (C) $3\%$ (D) $\frac{17}{16}$

• A. $\frac{1}{3}$
• B. $0.1$
• C. $3\%$
• D. $\frac{17}{16}$

Answer 1

The correct option is D

$\frac{17}{16}$

Explanation for the correct option:

Option (D): Determine the digit that cannot be the probability of an event.

An event's probability is always between $0$ and $1$.

$\begin{array}{rcl}\frac{17}{16}& =& 1.0625\\ & \Rightarrow & \frac{17}{16}>1\end{array}$

Hence, option (D) is correct.

Explanation for the incorrect options:

Option (A): The fraction $\frac{1}{3}$ in decimal form is as follows:

$\frac{1}{3}=0.33$

$\Rightarrow 0.33$ lies in between $0$ and $1$.

Therefore, option (A) is incorrect.

Option (B): $0.1$ lies in between $0$ and $1$.

Therefore, option (B) is incorrect.

Option (C): $3\%$ in decimal form is as follows:

$\begin{array}{rcl}3\%& =& \frac{3}{100}\\ & \Rightarrow & 3\%=0.03\end{array}$

$\Rightarrow 0.03$ lies in between $0$ and $1$.

Therefore, option (C) is incorrect.

Thus, options (A), (B), and (C) are incorrect.

Hence, option (D) is correct.