Calculating Probability of 2 Black Balls from 3-Ball Urn w/ Pascal Triangle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the probability of drawing at least 2 black balls from an urn containing 1 black, 1 red, and 1 yellow ball, with the process involving replacement after each draw. Participants explore different methods for calculating this probability, including the use of Pascal's triangle and binomial trees, while seeking clarification on the underlying concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using Pascal's triangle to calculate the probability of drawing at least 2 black balls from the urn.
  • Another participant suggests that a binomial tree could be useful, despite the original request to avoid tree diagrams, and emphasizes the importance of considering the events that lead to drawing at least 2 black balls.
  • A different approach is mentioned, where the probability of getting 3 black balls is added to the probability of getting 2 black balls, with a note that the probability of getting 3 black balls is 1 in 27.
  • There is also a suggestion to calculate the probability of getting no black balls and 1 black ball, then subtract that sum from 1 to find the desired probability.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best method to calculate the probability, with no consensus on a single approach or solution. Multiple competing methods are proposed, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the mathematical steps involved in each proposed method, and there may be assumptions regarding the independence of draws that are not explicitly stated.

firavia
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if we toss 4 coins and we want to know the probability of having 3 heads we can easily calculate that using pascal triangle .
I want to know if we have an Urn that contain 3 balls : 1 black , 1 red, 1 yellow.
and we want to draw 3 balls , but when we draw the first ball we put it back in the urn and thn we draw the 2nd ball which thn we put it back and finally we draw a third ball.

in this example we have 27 possible way of selecting 3 balls.

I want to know how can we calculate the probability of having at least 2 black ball , without using a tree diagram, probably wiht pascal triangle or any other formula with the explanation.

and you are very thankfull.

It is not a homework , I just want to know how this kind of problems works.
 
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any help?
 
You could set it out as a binomial tree if you fancied? Reducing the outcomes to Black and Not Black - i know you said you wanted to do it without a tree diagram but binomial trees never get old. (Much like probability questions involving urns)

This may, or may not, help you get a feel for it. If not try considering the "Events" that need to occur for you to get "at least 2 blacks" and then attach probabilities to these situations.
 
The probability of having at least 2 black balls means that you want to add the probability of getting 3 black balls (obviously 1 in 27) with the probability of having 2 black balls.

the other way to go is adding the probability of getting no black balls with the probability of getting 1 black ball, and subtracting that sum from 1.
 

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