How Is the Probability Mass Function Calculated for Identifying Blood Type A+?

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SUMMARY

The probability mass function for identifying an A+ blood type from a group of four donors (A, B, C, D) is calculated as follows: P(Y=1) = 1/4, P(Y=2) = 1/4, P(Y=3) = 1/4, and P(Y=4) = 1/4. Each probability is derived from the permutations of selecting the A+ individual among the donors, confirming that the order of selection does not affect the equal probability distribution. The calculations utilize the permutation formula, ensuring that the total probability sums to 1.

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  • Basic knowledge of blood types and their identification
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Homework Statement



There is a group of four blood donors: A, B, C and D. Only A has type
A+ blood. Four blood samples, one from each individual, will be typed in random order until an A+ individual is identified. Let Y = {number of typings necessary to identify an A+ individual}. Compute the probability mass function.

Homework Equations



permutation (order matters): n! / (n - k)!

The Attempt at a Solution



let p = probability
p(Y=1) = 1/4
p(Y=2) = permute (1,1) * permute (1,3) / permute (2,4) = 1/4
p(Y=3) = permute (1,1) * permute (2,3) / permute (3,4) = 1/4
p(Y=4) = permute (1,1) * permute (3,3) / permute (4,4) = 1/4

Even though I think the specific order matters, it doesn't make sense that they each have a probability of 1/4. Did I miss something from the problem? Does this seem right/logical?
 
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Seems right to me.

P(Y=1) = \frac {1}{4}

P(Y=2) = (\frac {3}{4}) (\frac {1}{3}) = \frac {3}{12} = \frac {1}{4}

P(Y=3) = (\frac {3}{4}) (\frac {2}{3}) (\frac {1}{2}) = \frac {6}{24} = \frac {1}{4}

P(Y=4) = (\frac {3}{4}) (\frac {2}{3}) (\frac {1}{2}) (\frac{1}{1})= \frac {6}{24} = \frac {1}{4}
 

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