HSC 2016 MX2 Combinatorics Marathon (archive) (1 Viewer)

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Drsoccerball

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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

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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

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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

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Re: HSC 2016 MX2 Combinatorics Marathon

No Takers?
 

Paradoxica

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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.
 
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