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1. At the beginning you have 5 popcorn and 13 different items so 5/13. Assuming you've already selected a popcorn, you will only have 4/12 chance of selecting a second popcorn. In total, this would be (5/13)*(4/12) = (5/39).

2. Since there are 4 popcorn and we want to choose 2 popcorn, there are 5C2 different ways to do this (numerator). Since there are 13 total items and we want to choose to the denominator is 13C2. So 5C2/13C2 = (5*4)/(13*12) = 5/39.

Edit since I previously thought problem said 4 popcorn instead of 5 :(
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Terrifficm
Total number of ways of selecting 2 packets out of 13 packets is 13C2.
Selection of first packet which is popcorn 5C1
Selection of second subsequent packet which is popcorn is 4C1

So probablity should be (5C1 * 4C1)/ 13C2

Solving which we get 10/39, Ans E

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Hi,
In your calculation, the numerator is 5*4 and the denominator is (13*12/2).
Notice that this is the same as I did except for the denominator.
Also, notice that your denominator is 'all the ways to choose two packets without respect to order' and your numerator is 'all the ways to choose the first packet and then choose the second packet'. This is what causes the error; if you were to multiply your denominator by 2 (because you can choose each pair two ways) you would get to answer (B).
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DavidTutorexamPAL
Terrifficm
Total number of ways of selecting 2 packets out of 13 packets is 13C2.
Selection of first packet which is popcorn 5C1
Selection of second subsequent packet which is popcorn is 4C1

So probablity should be (5C1 * 4C1)/ 13C2

Solving which we get 10/39, Ans E

Sent from my SM-G935F using GMAT Club Forum mobile app

Hi,
In your calculation, the numerator is 5*4 and the denominator is (13*12/2).
Notice that this is the same as I did except for the denominator.
Also, notice that your denominator is 'all the ways to choose two packets without respect to order' and your numerator is 'all the ways to choose the first packet and then choose the second packet'. This is what causes the error; if you were to multiply your denominator by 2 (because you can choose each pair two ways) you would get to answer (B).
Thanks i understand the issue in my answer

Sent from my SM-G935F using GMAT Club Forum mobile app
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total bags = 13
popcorm = 5
tortilla = 4
potato = 4

First popcorn probability = 5/13
Second popcorn probability = 4/12

(5/13)* (4/12) = 5/39

Answer b
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Bunuel
Jenny's cabinet contains 4 bags of tortilla chips, 4 bags of potato chips, and 5 bags of popcorn. Jenny reaches into the cabinet and draws a bag at random, places it on the counter, and returns to draw one more bag at random. What is the probability that she pulls out two bags of popcorn?

A. 1/13

B. 5/39

C. 2/13

D. 3/13

E. 10/39

On the first draw, the probability of pulling a bag of popcorn is 5/13. Because Jenny doesn‘t put that bag back, there are now 12 bags in the drawer, 4 of which are popcorn, so the probability of popcorn on the second draw is 4/12.

Because we want to calculate the probability of both outcomes happening, we multiply their respective probabilities. Thus, the probability of pulling two bags of popcorn is:

5/13 x 4/12 = 5/13 x 1/3 = 5/39

Answer: B
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