Can use the concept of distributing Identical items to distinct groups to determine the No. of favorable outcomes in which the 3 dice sum to either an 8 or 14
DEN = (6)^3 for each probability
(1st) Number of favorable outcomes in which the SUM of the 3 dice = 8
Call the 3 die - A , B, and C
A + B + C = 8
Each die must show at least a 1 integer on its face. So we can begin by distributing “one identical chocolate” to each of the die
a + b + c = (8 - 3) = 5
No of ways 3 thrown dice can sum to 8 is equivalent to the number of ways we can distribute 5 identical chocolates among 3 distinct children
Also note, we do not have any issue here if any one die receives all of the identical “chocolates”.
6, 1, 1 ———> is a possibility
7! / (5! 2!) = 21 favorable outcomes
OR
(2nd) number of ways 3 dice can sum to = 14
A + B + C = 14
Again, we’ll begin by giving each die “one identical chocolate/one” because each die must show at least a 1 integer
a + b + c = (14 - 3) = 11
However, now there is a problem. Each lower case variable already contains ONE 1
We can not distribute the value of 11 to each of the distinct die with no constraints because we will count the possibilities such as:
12 , 1 , 1
And other such possibilities in which any given die can show a number greater than > 6
a + b + c = 11
For each variable, we will substitute the following:
a = 5 - x
b = 5 - y
c = 5 - z
This way the amount distributed will not exceed 6 to any one die
(5 - x) + (5 - y) + (5 - z) = 11
15 - (x + y + z) = 11
x + y + z = 4
Now, when we distribute the identical items, it does not matter if one die receives all 4 or one die receives none (because we already gave one to each die)
For instance if:
x = 0
y = 4
z = 0
a = 5 - 0 = 5 ——-> since Die A already received one, A will show a 6
b = 5 - 4 = 1 ———> since Die B already received one B will show a 2
c = 5 -0 = 5 ———> Die C will show a 6
6 , 2 , 6 ———> sums to 14
The number of ways to distribute 4 identical items to 3 distinct groups:
6! / (4! 2!) = 15 ways
21 + 15 = 36 favorable ways
Probability = 36 / (6)^3 =
1/6
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