The letters a b c d e f g are put in a random order Define t
The letters {a, b, c, d, e, f, g} are put in a random order. Define the following events:
A: The letter b falls in the middle (with three before it and three after it).
B: The letter c comes after the letter b, although not necessarily immediately after it. For example, \"agbdcef\" would be an outcome in this event.
C: The letters \"def\" occur together in that order (i.e. \"gdefbca\").
1. What is p(A)?
2. What is p(B)? (Hint: first select the location for the b and c, then place the rest of the letters)
3. What is p(C)?
4. What is p(A|C)?
5. What is p(B|C)?
6. What is p(A|B)?
Solution
1. After b has been placed in the middle location there are 6 letters left to be arranged in the remaining 5 places.
therefore P(A) = 6!/ 7! = 1/7
2. letter c comes after letter b we can write this as, 6/7 + 5/7+ 4/7 +3/7 + 2/7 + 1/7 = 21/7 = 3
and remaining 5 letterrs can be places by 5! ways.
therefore P (B) = (3*5!)/7! = 1/14
3. letters def occurs together by 5 ways.
and remaining 4 letters can be arrabged by 4! ways
therfore P(C) = (5*4!)/7! = 1/42
4.P(A/C) = 2/5 since out of 5 outcomes of def occurs together only 2 ways are possible when letter b is in middle
5. P(B/C) = 3/5 since out of 5 outcomes of def occurs together only 3 ways are possible when letter c occurs after letter b.
6. P(A/B) = 1/3 since out of 3 outcomes of c occures after letter b there is only 1 possible way of b is in middle.
