How to distinguish btw a Perms/Combs question and a Binomial Probability question?

rsingh · 12 Jul 2005, 2:28 PM

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Hey guys,

These two topics are my worst and I've found that not many people favour them. But anyway, I was wondering, given a probability question in 3u, how can you determine whether to use Perms/Combs to answer it, or binomial probability? Like how can you tell whether its a question requiring one or the other?

Any help would be greaT!
Thanks.

acmilan · 12 Jul 2005, 2:35 PM

If there are only two possible outcomes, then it will be binomial. Eg. if they ask the probability of getting a heads or tails, it will be binomial since there are only 2 possible outcomes.

If there are many possible outcomes then it will either be permutations or combinations, depending on whether order matters. Eg. if its a question about a deck of cards, the it will most likely be permutations since there are 52 cards in a deck

tennille · 12 Jul 2005, 2:37 PM

Also, if the question relates to choosing people for a commitee, it's most likely to be combinations because order doesn't really matter. Although I remember having a question like that in my trial exam and it turned out to be permutations because order mattered in some way (can't really remember the question).

FinalFantasy · 12 Jul 2005, 2:40 PM

just do it logically and u dun even need to know what topic it is....

who_loves_maths · 12 Jul 2005, 2:41 PM

rsingh, like what acmilan has said, if the "trials" have two possible outcomes only, then it's most probably a binomial question. however, you also need to know that in case you really can't differetiate a question in terms of using either perms/combs or binomial, then just apply the Perms/Combs method(s)... since the theory of binomial probability is itself simply a manifestation of perms/combs.

12 Jul 2005, 2:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
rsingh Member HSC: 2005 Gender: Male Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 187 Last Activity: 20 Oct 2009, 6:16 PM	How to distinguish btw a Perms/Combs question and a Binomial Probability question? You can hide this advertisement by registering. Hey guys, These two topics are my worst and I've found that not many people favour them. But anyway, I was wondering, given a probability question in 3u, how can you determine whether to use Perms/Combs to answer it, or binomial probability? Like how can you tell whether its a question requiring one or the other? Any help would be greaT! Thanks.

12 Jul 2005, 2:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
FinalFantasy Sony HSC: 2005 Gender: Male Location: On Earth Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,181 Last Activity: 13 Jan 2006, 8:40 PM	just do it logically and u dun even need to know what topic it is.... __________________ Final Fantasy!! PM me if you want to play Yahoo Word Racer or Fifa 2004 with me!

12 Jul 2005, 2:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
who_loves_maths I wanna be a nebula too!! HSC: 2005 Gender: Male Location: somewhere amidst the nebulaic cloud of your heart ... Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 600 Last Activity: 16 Dec 2007, 4:30 PM	rsingh, like what acmilan has said, if the "trials" have two possible outcomes only, then it's most probably a binomial question. however, you also need to know that in case you really can't differetiate a question in terms of using either perms/combs or binomial, then just apply the Perms/Combs method(s)... since the theory of binomial probability is itself simply a manifestation of perms/combs. __________________ ... QED. {QuantumElectroDynamics???} UAI 2005: 99.90

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12 Jul 2005, 2:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
acmilan I'll stab ya HSC: N/A Gender: Male Location: Jumanji Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,884 Last Activity: 15 Nov 2009, 6:03 PM	If there are only two possible outcomes, then it will be binomial. Eg. if they ask the probability of getting a heads or tails, it will be binomial since there are only 2 possible outcomes. If there are many possible outcomes then it will either be permutations or combinations, depending on whether order matters. Eg. if its a question about a deck of cards, the it will most likely be permutations since there are 52 cards in a deck

12 Jul 2005, 2:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
tennille ... HSC: 2004 Gender: Female Location: Sydney Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,487 Last Activity: 29 Jun 2009, 5:10 PM	Also, if the question relates to choosing people for a commitee, it's most likely to be combinations because order doesn't really matter. Although I remember having a question like that in my trial exam and it turned out to be permutations because order mattered in some way (can't really remember the question).