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Re: M23-30 [#permalink]
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Bunuel wrote:
A committee of 3 has to be formed randomly from a group of 6 people. If Tom and Mary are in this group of 6, what is the probability that Tom will be selected into the committee but Mary will not?

A. \(\frac{1}{10}\)
B. \(\frac{1}{5}\)
C. \(\frac{3}{10}\)
D. \(\frac{2}{5}\)
E. \(\frac{1}{2}\)


Committee of 3 can be formed out of 6 people in 6C3 ways or 20 ways

Now Consider committee in which Tom is already a member so out of remaining 4 members (excluding Mary)..2 can be selected in 4C2 ways = 6 ways..

So probability 6/20 or 3/10
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Re M23-30 [#permalink]
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Official Solution:

A committee of 3 people must be formed randomly from a group of 6 individuals. If Tom and Mary are both part of this group of 6, what is the probability that Tom will be chosen for the committee, while Mary will not?

A. \(\frac{1}{10}\)
B. \(\frac{1}{5}\)
C. \(\frac{3}{10}\)
D. \(\frac{2}{5}\)
E. \(\frac{1}{2}\)


We need to find the probability of having Tom (T), not Mary (NM), and another person who is not Mary (NM) on the committee (T, NM, NM).

The probability of this combination (T, NM, NM) can be calculated as follows:

\(P(T, NM, NM)=3*\frac{1}{6} * \frac{4}{5} * \frac{3}{4}=\frac{3}{10}\)

We multiply by 3 because the (T, NM, NM) scenario can occur in 3 different ways: (T, NM, NM), (NM, T, NM), or (NM, NM, T).


Answer: C
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Re: M23-30 [#permalink]
I am getting ans as 1/2

we have to find the probability of getting (T,NM,NM)

NM,NM - 5C2=10

and total ways- 6C3=20

therefore - 10/20 =1/2
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Re: M23-30 [#permalink]
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i solved it this way:
6C3 = 20
combinations to choose Tom = 3C1 = 3
combinations not Mary = 3C1 = 3

we add these two 3+3 = 6
6/20 = 3/10
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Re: M23-30 [#permalink]
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6!/3!3! = 20 total possible combinations. 5!/3!2! = 10 combinations when the 2 are chosen together. 4!/3!1! = 4 comb when the 2 are out.

hence 1 - 14/20 = 3/10 combinations when either is in the team.
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Re: M23-30 [#permalink]
The solution makes sense, but can someone please let me know what I did wrong?

Total number of ways = 6C3 = 6*5*4/(3*2) = 20 ways -- this represents order doesn't matter

Total number of ways to select Tom, Not Marie, Not Marie = 1*4*3/(3*2) = 2 ways -- divide by 3*2 b/c order doesn't matter (to match denominator)

Thus 2/20 = 1/10; why is this wrong??
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Re: M23-30 [#permalink]
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happyface101 wrote:
The solution makes sense, but can someone please let me know what I did wrong?

Total number of ways = 6C3 = 6*5*4/(3*2) = 20 ways -- this represents order doesn't matter

Total number of ways to select Tom, Not Marie, Not Marie = 1*4*3/(3*2) = 2 ways -- divide by 3*2 b/c order doesn't matter (to match denominator)

Thus 2/20 = 1/10; why is this wrong??


Hi,

you have gone wrong here..


in initial 6C3, 3*2 was there because 3 people were selected and these 3 can be arranged in 3! ways..
But in second case, you have already selected 1 out of 3, and you have to select 2 out of remaining 4..
these two can be arranged in 2! so you have to divide by 2! and not 3!=3*2..

second case is 6 people- 1 already selected and 1 left out ..


2 to be picked up from 4..
so 4C2=4!/2!2!=6..
ans 6/20=3/10
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Re: M23-30 [#permalink]
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I have edited the question and the solution by adding more details to enhance its clarity. I hope it is now easier to understand.
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