Find N(7,4)/N(7,5): Find the Answer Here

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the ratio of the number of successful Lotto tickets with specific successes, denoted as \( \frac{N(7,4)}{N(7,5)} \). Participants explore the combinatorial aspects of Lotto ticket selection, focusing on the definitions and calculations of \( N(k,m) \) within the context of a Lotto game where 6 numbers are drawn from a set of 49.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants define \( N(k,m) \) as the number of different tickets with \( k \) options that have \( m \) successes, with specific parameters for \( k \) and \( m \).
  • One participant proposes a method to calculate \( N(7,4) \) by assuming that the first 4 of the 7 chosen numbers are among the 6 winning numbers, leading to a combinatorial expression involving \( \binom{7}{4} \) and a product of decreasing successful choices.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the calculation of \( N(k,m) \) and seeks clarification on the reasoning behind the product \( 6 \cdot 5 \cdot 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 43 \cdot 42 \cdot 41 \).
  • Further discussion includes a breakdown of how the choices are made, emphasizing the sequential nature of selecting successful numbers and the remaining options for unsuccessful numbers.
  • One participant suggests an alternative combinatorial approach using \( \binom{6}{m} \cdot \binom{49-6}{k-m} \) to represent the selection of successes and failures.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the calculations and definitions involved in \( N(k,m) \). There is no consensus on the correct approach or final answer to the ratio \( \frac{N(7,4)}{N(7,5)} \), and multiple interpretations of the problem remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the assumptions behind the calculations, and there are indications of confusion regarding the combinatorial reasoning and the application of specific formulas. The discussion reflects a range of interpretations and methods without definitive conclusions.

evinda
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Hi! :D
In Lotto,there are the numbers $L=\{ 1,...,49 \}$.A Lotto ticket with $k$ options is a subset of $L$ with $k$ elements.$6$ numbers are selected in a draw.Given a draw, let $N(k,m)$ the number of the different tickets with $k$ options,that have $m$ successes $( 6 \leq k \leq 49$ and $ 0 \leq m \leq 6)$.Then, $ \frac{N(7,4)}{N(7,5)}$ is equal to :
  • $\frac{205}{6}$
  • $\frac{43}{2}$
  • $\frac{215}{12}$

Could you help me to find which of the above answers is right?
 
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evinda said:
Hi! :D
In Lotto,there are the numbers $L=\{ 1,...,49 \}$.A Lotto ticket with $k$ options is a subset of $L$ with $k$ elements.$6$ numbers are selected in a draw.Given a draw, let $N(k,m)$ the number of the different tickets with $k$ options,that have $m$ successes $( 6 \leq k \leq 49$ and $ 0 \leq m \leq 6)$.Then, $ \frac{N(7,4)}{N(7,5)}$ is equal to :
  • $\frac{205}{6}$
  • $\frac{43}{2}$
  • $\frac{215}{12}$

Could you help me to find which of the above answers is right?

Hey! :)

Suppose the lotto numbers are always 1,2,3,4,5,6.
We can assume this without loss of generality.

Let's take a look at N(7,4).

Suppose the first 4 of our 7 numbers are in those 6 lucky numbers, and the remainder is not.
Then the number of successful combinations is:
$$6 \cdot 5 \cdot 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 43 \cdot 42 \cdot 41$$

But we can also have a different ordering.
There are $\binom 7 4$ ways to pick 4 out of 7 options.

So the total number is:
$$N(7,4) = \binom 7 4 \cdot 6 \cdot 5 \cdot 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 43 \cdot 42 \cdot 41$$
 
I like Serena said:
Hey! :)

Suppose the lotto numbers are always 1,2,3,4,5,6.
We can assume this without loss of generality.

Let's take a look at N(7,4).

Suppose the first 4 of our 7 numbers are in those 6 lucky numbers, and the remainder is not.
Then the number of successful combinations is:
$$6 \cdot 5 \cdot 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 43 \cdot 42 \cdot 41$$

But we can also have a different ordering.
There are $\binom 7 4$ ways to pick 4 out of 7 options.

So the total number is:
$$N(7,4) = \binom 7 4 \cdot 6 \cdot 5 \cdot 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 43 \cdot 42 \cdot 41$$

I haven't understood how you found $N(k,m)$.. (Worried) Could you explain it to me?? (Thinking)(Thinking)(Thinking)
 
evinda said:
I haven't understood how you found $N(k,m)$.. (Worried) Could you explain it to me?? (Thinking)(Thinking)(Thinking)

Can you explain what you do and do not understand?
What are your thoughts? (Wondering)(Thinking)
 
I like Serena said:
Can you explain what you do and do not understand?
What are your thoughts? (Wondering)(Thinking)

I have understood how we found $\binom 7 4$.It means that from $7$ options,the $4$ are successes..
But how did you find this:
$ 6 \cdot 5 \cdot 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 43 \cdot 42 \cdot 41$ ?

Why do we have to multiplicate $\binom 7 4$ with this product?? (Worried)(Thinking)
 
evinda said:
I have understood how we found $\binom 7 4$.It means that from $7$ options,the $4$ are successes..
But how did you find this:
$ 6 \cdot 5 \cdot 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 43 \cdot 42 \cdot 41$ ?

Why do we have to multiplicate $\binom 7 4$ with this product?? (Worried)(Thinking)

We're assuming the first 4 choices are successes.
Since there are 6 successful numbers, the first choice must be one of those 6.

Since the second choice is also a success, it must be one of the remaining 5 successful numbers (we've already used up 1 successful number).

In other words, there are $6 \cdot 5$ ways that the first choice is successful and that the second choice is also successful.

How would you continue?
 
I like Serena said:
We're assuming the first 4 choices are successes.
Since there are 6 successful numbers, the first choice must be one of those 6.

Since the second choice is also a success, it must be one of the remaining 5 successful numbers (we've already used up 1 successful number).

In other words, there are $6 \cdot 5$ ways that the first choice is successful and that the second choice is also successful.

How would you continue?

The third choice is also a success, it must be one of the remaining 4 successful numbers and the fourth is also a success, so it must be one of the remaining 3 successful numbers.
So,we have so far $6 \cdot 5 \cdot 4 \dot 3$ ways that the first 4 choises are successes.
Then,there are $43$ choices,that the next choice is not a success and so on..
Right? (Blush)

Couldn't we also do it like that?(Thinking)

$\binom{6}{m} \cdot \binom{49-6}{k-m}$
 

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