M28-27

Hi there,

A new member here, just joined a day or two back

I'm quite confused about the solution to this problem. How is it possible that the probability remains constant even when we are removing marbles without replacement? Wouldn't the denominators in the probabilities adjust for each draw?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Francis

For those of you who are confused by Bunuel's beautiful answer, you can arrive at the same solution using permutations.

Let's find the possible permutations for the first 6 balls, and then worry about the 7th and 8th after that

5 Reb and 1 Blue - We are arranging 6 balls of two different types. To arrange 6 objects without respect for repetition of each type, the formula is simply \(6!\). To account for repeating types, reduce \(6!\) by the factorial of the repetition number for each type.

\(\frac{6!}{5!1!}=6\)

4 Red and 2 Blue

\(\frac{6!}{4!2!}15\)

3 Red and 3 Blue

\(\frac{6!}{3!3!}=20\)

Now multiply each by the available remaining permutations of the 7th and 8th ball:

5 Reb and 1 Blue?

Only BB is left, so \(6*1=6\)

4 Reb and 2 Blue?

RB and BR are left, so \(15*2=30\)

3 Reb and 3 Blue?

Only RR is left, so \(20*1=20\)

Thus, there are \(6+30+20=56\) total arrangements

In how many of these last three options are the 7th ball red?

5 Red and 1 Blue: \(0\)
4 Red and 2 Blue: \(15\)
3 Red and 3 Blue: \(20\)

\(\frac{35}{56}=\frac{5}{8}\)

Answer D

A simple answer using combinatorics

if the 7th slot is NOT BLUE, it is RED
now ignore this slot completely. it will not affect the other arrangements. for the 7 remaining slots, we have 7 marbles = (7! arrangements) but since 4 Red repeats and 3 blue repeats, the possible arrangements = 7!/(3!4!) = 35
total arrangements without the restriction for the 7th slot = 8!(5!3!) = 56
desired probability = 35/56 = 5/8

I think this is a high-quality question. I have an alternate solution, 8!/(5!*3!) - Total # of permutations - 56 -----(i)

Of these fixing the 7th position as red - # of permutations is
7!/(4!*3!) - 35------(ii)

(ii)/(i) is what we want = (5/8)

I used a different method using seating arrangements.
Suppose there are 8 baskets placed in linear fashion, with each basket capable of holding only 1 ball. Suppose we place 8 balls 1-by-one in each basket
Then, total number of such arrangements - 8!/5!*3! = 56

Now, fix 7th basket with red ball placed in that. Now, we have to find number of arrangements of 7 balls with 4 red balls and 3 blue balls
==> 7!/4!*3! = 35

Probability = Number of desired outcomes/Total Outcomes = 35/56 or 5/8

Hello Bunuel, VeritasKarishma , IanStewart
Even I have solved using this method. Is this approach correct?

Yes, it is.
Or think about it assuming every element is distinct (it doesn't matter in probability). Say every marble is numbered from 1 to 8 (5 are red, 3 are blue). When you pick one after the other without replacement, it's like giving them a rank from 1 to 8.
So you can arrange 8 items in 8 slots in 8! ways. Every element is equivalent. So each of the 8 elements will appear in the 7th spot in 1/8th of total cases.
So 5 Red will appear in the 8th spot in 5/8th of total cases.

Hence, probability is 5/8

I have edited the question and the solution by adding more details to enhance its clarity. I hope it is now easier to understand.

This question is a classic example of a question having multiple correct approaches to solve. I see many folks have highlighted equally useful approaches above adding my 2 cents:

So the Qn says 7th slot as not blue so has to be red. The possible combos then are: 3R3B RR (or) 4R2B RB (we can also have BR at the end in this combo but that is not needed as per Qn so ignored it).

The prob curve is normally distributed, said differently Prob of 1st slot = prob of nth slot, 2nd slot - (n-1)th slot - this logic/ concept can be used widely in other questions as well - Ex: Probability of getting certain dice roll sums, coin tosses results so on, coefficient of expansion of (1+x)^n type questions and so on .[ignore if seems complex]

The application here is Prob required is RR + RB [last 2 items from the right] = (5*4/8*7) + (5*3/8*7) = 5/8 (Option D)