Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

In tennis, a player has two chances to serve the ball successfully.
Tamara is successful 70% of the time on her first serve.
Tamara is successful 80% of the time on her second serve.

What percentage of the time is Tamara not successful on her first serve but successful on her second serve?

Rationale

24%

Tamara is not successful on her first serve 76% of the time, meaning she is successful on her second serve 24% of the time after failing her first serve. This percentage reflects the probability of her being successful on the second attempt under those conditions.

A (5%) YOUR ANSWER

This option suggests that Tamara is only successful on her second serve 5% of the time after a failed first serve. Such a low success rate is unlikely given the broader context of serve statistics, which typically show higher success rates on second serves.

B (14%) YOUR ANSWER

A 14% success rate on the second serve after a failed first serve indicates a very low chance of success. This does not align with common sports statistics, which indicate that players often have a better success rate on second serves compared to this figure.

C (24%) CORRECT

This option correctly indicates that after failing her first serve, Tamara has a 24% chance of being successful on her second serve. This figure is derived from her overall percentage of successful serves and accurately reflects the scenario described.

D (50%) YOUR ANSWER

A 50% success rate implies that Tamara would have an equal likelihood of succeeding on her second serve regardless of her first serve's outcome. In practice, players tend to have varying success rates, and 50% is too high for a second serve following a failure.

E (56%) YOUR ANSWER

This option suggests that Tamara is successful on her second serve 56% of the time after failing her first serve, which is implausibly high given standard serving percentages in tennis. It does not correspond with typical success rates observed in match play.

Conclusion

Tamara's success rate on her second serve, following an unsuccessful first serve, is accurately represented by 24%. This statistic highlights the dynamics of serve performance in tennis, demonstrating that while a player may struggle with a first serve, the likelihood of success on subsequent attempts is still substantial, though not overly optimistic. Understanding these percentages is crucial for both players and coaches when strategizing serve techniques and game plans.