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fiction - 4
Non fiction - n. biographies -3
biographies -3
given at least 1 fiction and at most 1 non biographies
\(4C_3\) = all fiction
\(4C_2*3C_1 \)= 2 fiction and 1 bio
\(4C_2*3C_1\) = 2 fiction and 1 n.f n.b
\(4C_1* 3C_1* 3C_1\) = 1 fiction , 1 n.f, 1 bio
\(4C_1*3C_2\) = 1 fiction and 2 n.f
\(4C_3 + 4C_2*3C_1 + 4C_2*3C_1 + 4C_1* 3C_1* 3C_1 + 4C_1*3C_2\)
= 88

select any 3 out of 10

\(10C_3\)
so probability =

\(\frac{88}{ 10C_3}\)
11/15
E IMO
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Fiction books: 4
Non-fiction books: 6 [3 of the non-fiction are biographies and 3 of the non-fiction are non-biographies]

Total books: 4 + 6 = 10

Each person is required to select 3 books from the list: \(^{10}{C_3} = 120 \)

Probability that at least one fiction book, and at most one biography are selected:

=> 1 fiction and 2 Non-fiction - non -biographies: \(^{4}{C_1} * ^{3}{C_2} = 4 * 3 = 12\)

=> 1 fiction and 1 Non-fiction - non -biographies and 1 Non-fiction - biographies:\(^{4}{C_1} * ^{3}{C_1} * ^{3}{C_1} = 4 * 3 * 3 = 36\)

=> 2 fiction and 1 Non-fiction - non -biographies: \(^{4}{C_2} * ^{3}{C_1} = 6 * 3 = 18\)

=> 2 fiction and 1 Non-fiction - biographies: \(^{4}{C_2} * ^{3}{C_1} = 6 * 3 = 18\)

=> 3 fiction : \(^{4}{C_3} = 4 \)

Total: 12 + 36 + 18 + 18 + 4 = 88

Probability: \(\frac{88 }{ 120} = \frac{11 }{ 15}\)

Answer E
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Bunuel
There are 4 fiction books and 6 non-fiction books in a reading list. 3 of the non-fiction are biographies. Each person is required to select 3 books from the list. What is the probability that at least one fiction book, and at most one biography are selected?


A. 1/5

B. 4/15

C. 1/3

D. 2/3

E. 11/15


Solution:

The number of ways 3 books can be selected from a total of 10 books is 10C3 = (10 x 9 x 8)/(3 x 2) = 720/6 = 120.

The following are the possible options we can have with restrictions being that at least one fiction book and at most one biography among the 3 chosen books:

1) exactly 1 fiction book and 2 non-fiction books with no biography,

2) exactly 1 fiction book and 2 non-fiction books with 1 biography,

3) exactly 2 fiction books and 1 non-fiction book with no biography,

4) exactly 2 fiction books and 1 non-fiction books with 1 biography,

5) all 3 fiction books.

The number of ways for each of the 5 options above is:

1) 4C1 x 3C2 x 3C0 = 4 x 3 x 1 = 12

2) 4C1 x 3C1 x 3C1 = 4 x 3 x 3 = 36

3) 4C2 x 3C1 x 3C0 = 6 x 3 x 1 = 18

4) 4C2 x 3C0 x 3C1 = 6 x 1 x 3 = 18

5) 4C3 = 4

Therefore, the desired probability is (12 + 36 + 18 + 18 + 4)/120 = 88/120 = 11/15.

Answer: E
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11.45 minutes to solve, I ran through several understanding in my mind. OMG I still have much to learn
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