• Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your results!
    Let us know how you went here
    Got a question about your uni preferences? Ask us here

HSC 2016 MX2 Combinatorics Marathon (archive) (4 Viewers)

Status
Not open for further replies.

Drsoccerball

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
3,650
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2015
Re: HSC 2016 MX2 Combinatorics Marathon

If all the letters of the word REARRANGE are arranged at random, what is the probability that the R's are together?

Ans: 1/12
I think this thread is an extension 2 combinations thread.
 

kawaiipotato

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2015
Messages
463
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2015
Re: HSC 2016 MX2 Combinatorics Marathon

If all the letters of the word REARRANGE are arranged at random, what is the probability that the R's are together?

Ans: 1/12
Satisfy the condition first (group the R's) so that they look like
RRREEAANG
Treat the Rs as one group and so there are 7 'groups'.
Arranging these groups, the amount of ways this is possible is
7!/(2!2!) (Dividing by 2! And 2! because there are two of As and Es)
The total possible ways of rearranging is equal to 9!/(3!*2!*2!)
Divide those to get the probability
 

braintic

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
2,137
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
Re: HSC 2016 MX2 Combinatorics Marathon

Satisfy the condition first (group the R's) so that they look like
RRREEAANG
Treat the Rs as one group and so there are 7 'groups'.
Arranging these groups, the amount of ways this is possible is
7!/(2!2!) (Dividing by 2! And 2! because there are two of As and Es)
The total possible ways of rearranging is equal to 9!/(3!*2!*2!)
Divide those to get the probability
We don't actually need to worry about the other letters at all. They aren't relevant to the problem.

The number of ways of choosing the positions for the Rs is 9C3.
The number of such positions satisfying the condition is 7 (123, 234, 345, ..., 789).

7 / 9C3 = 1/12
 

braintic

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
2,137
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
Re: HSC 2016 MX2 Combinatorics Marathon

No Takers?
 

Paradoxica

-insert title here-
Joined
Jun 19, 2014
Messages
2,556
Location
Outside reality
Gender
Male
HSC
2016
Re: HSC 2016 MX2 Combinatorics Marathon

Looks like a tedious double application of the binomial theorem. I'll pass, not in the mood for that kind of thing.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 4)

Top