A box contains 5 plain pencils and 7 pens. A second box contains 4 color pencils and 4 crayons. One

A box contains 5 plain pencils and 7 pens. A second box contains 4 color pencils and 4 crayons. One item from each box is chosen at random. What is the probability that a plain pencil from the first box and a color pencil from the second box are selected?

Probability of plain pencil from first box:
5/(5 + 7) = 5/12

Probability of color pencil from second box:
4/(4 + 4) = 4/8 = 1/2

Probability of both events together:
Since each event is independent, we multiply probabilities:
5/12 * 1/2 = 5/24