FE Industrial and Systems Probability and Statistics Practice Problems

The current FE Industrial and Systems specification assigns 10-15 of the 110 exam questions to Probability and Statistics. Form A contains 11 original problems in this area. The sample below is published in full, with the same worked-solution format used throughout the book.

Free sample problem

From 9 distinct jobs, the number of ways to select 3 for audit is most nearly:

  1. (A)42 ways
  2. (B)84 ways
  3. (C)126 ways
  4. (D)168 ways
Show worked solution

Answer: (B)

The combination count is 84.

The event or sampling model determines the required statistic.

Substitution and unit reduction give the reported value.

FE Reference Handbook — Probability: Combinations

Why the other choices appear

  • (A)This introduces an extra factor of 0.5 that is not present in the governing relation.
  • (C)This value is 50% above the verified result; no stated conversion creates that change.
  • (D)The units are retained, but an unsupported 2 multiplier changes the requested magnitude.

The complete FE Industrial and Systems practice exam contains 11 problems in this area and 110 problems overall, with an answer key, full solutions, and a score sheet by knowledge area.

Retaking this exam? The FE exam retake guide turns the NCEES diagnostic report into an area-by-area plan.