- #1
nobahar
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Homework Statement
Hello!
Okay, using the letters AAABBBCCDE, draw three letters. What is the probability of getting exactly two letters the same?
Homework Equations
ANDThe Attempt at a Solution
I worked my way through the possible combination (e.g. AAB, AAC, AAD, etc.) Then used combinations: [tex]\left(\begin{array}{c}3\\2\end{array}\right)[/tex] x [tex]\left(\begin{array}{c}3\\1\end{array}\right)[/tex] + [tex]\left(\begin{array}{c}3\\2\end{array}\right)[/tex] x [tex]\left(\begin{array}{c}2\\1\end{array}\right)[/tex] + [tex]\left(\begin{array}{c}3\\2\end{array}\right)[/tex] x [tex]\left(\begin{array}{c}1\\1\end{array}\right)[/tex], etc.
To calculate the probabilities, I get the right answer, but I was wondering if there is an easier way of identifying how many possible combinations there are. For example, if I had to find how many different combinations there are when each letter is different; then, ABCDE gives me 5C3, 10 combinations to work through, I still have to write them out to see what I'm working with, but I know how many I have, whereas I don't necessarily know when the selection of three involves exactly two of the same letters, this is even more important when the range of letters, symbols, objects, etc are many more in number!
Any help appreciated. Thanks
EDIT: I thinks it's just: 3 x (4 x 1 x 1), since I have one way of choosing the first, one for the second, four for the third, and this applies to all the letters that can possible appear twice. Seems a bit tedious, especially if there is a large selections of possibilities...
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