What is the probability that Bo, Colleen, Jeff, and Rohini win the first, second

sibuzwaW

sibuzwaW

Answered question

2021-11-07

What is the probability that Bo, Colleen, Jeff, and Rohini win the first, second, third, and fourth prizes, respectively, in a drawing if 50 people enter a contest and a) no one can win more than one prize. b) winning more than one prize is allowed.

Answer & Explanation

SchulzD

SchulzD

Skilled2021-11-08Added 83 answers

Definitions
Definition permutation (importance of order):
No repetition allowed: P(n,r)=n!(nr)!
Repetition allowed nr
Combination definition (order is not crucial):
No repetition allowed: C(n,r)=(nr)=n!r!(nr)!
Repetition allowed: C(n+r1,r)=(n+r1)!r!(n1)!
with nn(n1)21
Solution:
Numerous methods for choosing the winners
Since the first, second, and third prizes are different, the order of the winners is important, and we must thus utilize the definition of a permutation.
Out of the 50 participants, 4 winners must be chosen.
n=50
r=4
Since repetition of winners is not allowed:
P(50,4)=50!(504)!=50!46!=50494847=5,527,200
Probability
Bo, Collen, Jeff, and Rohini will each receive the first, second, third, and fourth prizes in 1 of the 5,527,200 possible combinations.
The probability is calculated by dividing the number of likely outcomes by the total number of outcomes.
P(Bo, Colleen, Jeff and Rohini)=# of favorable outcomes# of possible outcomes=15,527,2000.000001809=1.809×107
b) Number of methods used to choose the winners
We require the concept of a permutation since the order of the winners matters (because the first, second, and third prizes are different).
Out of the 50 participants, 4 winners must be chosen.
n=50
r=4
Since winners may be selected more than once:
nr=504=6,250,000
Probability
Bo, Collen, Jeff, and Rohini will each receive the first, second, third, and fourth prizes in 1 of the 6,250,000 possible combinations.
The probability is calculated by dividing the number of likely outcomes by the total number of outcomes.
P(Bo, Collen, Jeff and Rohini)=# of favorable outcomes# of possible outcomes=16,250,0000.00000016=1.6×107
Result: a) 15,527,200
b) 16,250,000

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