Create a probability distribution of socks

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on creating a probability distribution for drawing socks from a drawer containing four red socks and two blue socks without replacement. The total number of ways to draw three socks is calculated as C(6,3) = 20. The probabilities for drawing 0, 1, 2, and 3 red socks are determined, with P(0) = 0, P(1) = 1/5, and methods outlined for calculating P(2) and P(3) using combinations and conditional probabilities. The calculations emphasize the importance of accounting for the changing composition of socks after each draw.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of combinatorial mathematics, specifically combinations (C(n, k))
  • Knowledge of probability theory, particularly conditional probability
  • Familiarity with the concept of drawing without replacement
  • Basic skills in calculating expected values
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of combinatorial probability in depth
  • Learn about conditional probability and its applications in real-world scenarios
  • Explore expected value calculations in probability distributions
  • Practice problems involving drawing without replacement to solidify understanding
USEFUL FOR

Students in statistics or mathematics, educators teaching probability concepts, and anyone interested in combinatorial analysis and probability distributions.

F.B
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A drawer contains four red socks and two blue socks. Three socks are drawn from the drawer without replacement.
a)Create a probability distribution in which the random variable represents the number of red socks.
b)Determine the expected number of red socks if three are drawn from the drawer without replacement.

Ok i need help with a).
This is what i did.

C(6,3) = 40 which is the total.

Now for since there are only two blue socks you have to draw atleast 1 red for 0 red socks.

C(4,1) x C(2,2)

I don't know if i did that right because it says without replacement. So how do i take into account that it is done without replacement.
 
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F.B said:
A drawer contains four red socks and two blue socks. Three socks are drawn from the drawer without replacement.
a)Create a probability distribution in which the random variable represents the number of red socks.
b)Determine the expected number of red socks if three are drawn from the drawer without replacement.
Ok i need help with a).
This is what i did.
C(6,3) = 40 which is the total.
Now for since there are only two blue socks you have to draw atleast 1 red for 0 red socks.
C(4,1) x C(2,2)
I don't know if i did that right because it says without replacement. So how do i take into account that it is done without replacement.

Obviously, since there are only two blue socks, you can't draw 3 blue sock so you can't draw 0 red socks:
P(0)= 0.

How can you draw exactly one red sock? One way is to draw "Red", "Blue", "Blue" in that order. First draw one red sock: the probability of that is 4/6= 2/3. Now, ASSUMING you drew a red sock first, there are 3 red socks and 2 blue socks. The probability that the next sock you draw is blue is 2/5. Given that that happens, there are 3 red socks and 1 blue sock left. The probability of drawing a blue sock is now 1/4. That is: the probability of drawing "Red", "Blue", "Blue" in that order is (2/3)(2/5)(1/4)= 1/15.
It should be easy to see that the probability of "Blue", "Red", "Blue" and of "Blue", "Blue", "Red" are exactly the same and so P(1)= 3(1/15)= 1/5.
Notice that that 3 is 3C1.

Now you need to find P(2) and P(3). You can draw exactly two red socks as "Red", "Red", "Blue" or "Red", "Blue", "Red", or "Blue", "Red", "Red".
Find the probability of one of those as above and multiply by 3= 3C2.

You can draw exactly three red socks as "Red", "Red", "Red". Find the probability of that, P(3), as above.
 

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