Bridge Probabilities exactly 1 person with 1 suit?

AI Thread Summary
In the game of bridge, the probability of one player being dealt a hand consisting entirely of one suit is a complex calculation. The discussion highlights three distinct scenarios: exactly one player with a full suit, at least one player with a full suit, and a specific player with a full suit. The confusion arises from the need to account for the possibility of multiple players receiving cards from the same suit, which affects the overall probability. The provided book answer involves a more intricate formula than the initial assumption of 4/52C13, emphasizing the importance of understanding these different contexts in probability calculations. Clarifying these scenarios is essential for accurately determining the probabilities involved.
ti-84minus
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Homework Statement


In the game of bridge, four players are dealt 13 cards each from a well-shuffled deck of 52 playing cards. What is the probability that one of the players holds a hand that is made up of only one suit?


Homework Equations


nCr = n!/(r!(n-r)!)


The Attempt at a Solution


I know that when 1 player is dealt all of one particular suit, it should be 4/52C13
But for some reason, the answer at the back of the book for this question is very strange:
([(42*39!)/(13!3*3!) - (62*26!)/(13!2*2!) + 24] / (52!/(13!4*4!)

and this isn't equal to 4/52C13...

Since I already have the answer, I would like a thorough explanation of why it is so...
Thanks a lot!
:)
 
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You have stated three different problems in your post!

  1. What are the odds that exactly one person is dealt an entire suit
  2. What are the odds that one person is dealt an entire suit
  3. What are the odds that one particular person is dealt an entire suit

I imagine you will be able to solve things yourself once you can recognize how these are three different problems.
 
Thanks for the reply!
But I still do not recognize the difference between those three.
exactly one person,

one person,

one particular person.
Shouldn't they all equal to 4/52C13.
 
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You have to account for the possibility that 2 or 3 or 4 are all dealt the same suit...that's where the exactly one, one particular comes in.
 
ti-84minus said:
Thanks for the reply!
But I still do not recognize the difference between those three.
exactly one person,
exactly one of East, West, North, or South is dealt all the same suit

one person,
At least one but possibly more are dealt all the same suit.

one particular person.
North is dealt all the same suit.

(or "South is dealt all the same suit" or "East is dealt all the same suit" or "West is dealt all the same suit". Those four have the same probability.)
Shouldn't they all equal to 4/52C13.
 
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