To determine the probability of choosing a ball numbered 25 in a lottery game where the balls are numbered from 1 through 24, follow these steps:
1. Understand the problem:
- There are 24 balls, each numbered from 1 to 24.
- You want to find the probability of selecting a ball numbered 25.
2. Identify the range of numbers:
- The balls are numbered 1, 2, 3, ..., 24.
- There is no ball numbered 25 in this range.
3. Probability definition:
- Probability is defined as the number of successful outcomes divided by the total number of possible outcomes.
- A successful outcome means drawing a ball numbered 25.
4. Count the number of successful outcomes:
- Since there is no ball numbered 25 in the lottery (numbered 1 through 24), the number of successful outcomes is 0.
5. Count the total number of possible outcomes:
- The total number of possible outcomes is 24, as there are 24 balls in the lottery.
6. Calculate the probability:
- The probability [tex]\( P \)[/tex] is given by the formula:
[tex]\[
P = \frac{\text{Number of successful outcomes}}{\text{Total number of possible outcomes}}
\][/tex]
- Substituting the values, we get:
[tex]\[
P = \frac{0}{24} = 0
\][/tex]
Given these steps, the probability of choosing a ball numbered 25 is [tex]\( 0 \)[/tex].
Therefore, the best answer from the choices provided is:
a. 0