How many combinations that have at least 2 queens are possible?

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The discussion revolves around calculating the number of combinations of 4 cards chosen from a set of face cards, specifically focusing on those that include at least 2 queens. The initial calculations presented were incorrect due to misunderstanding the selection of non-queen cards after choosing queens. A suggested method involves using complementary counting: first calculating the total combinations and then subtracting those with fewer than 2 queens. The correct approach leads to the conclusion that the total number of combinations with at least 2 queens is 201, emphasizing the importance of careful case analysis. The conversation highlights common pitfalls in combinatorial problems and the effectiveness of alternative counting strategies.
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From a deck of 52 cards, the 12 face cards are removed. From these face cards, 4 are chosen. How many combinations that have at least 2 queens are possible?

The answer is 201... I can't get here. This is what I did:
case1) 4 queens can be chosen C(4,2) ways * 10 cards can be chosen C(10,2) ways
case2) 4 queens can be chosen C(4,3) ways * 9 cards can be chosen C(9,1) ways
case3) 4 queens can be chosen C(4,4) ways * 8 cards can be chosen C(8,0) ways

case 1 = 270
case 2 = 36
case 3 = 1
270+36+1 does not equal 201

what am I doing wrong? TiA
 
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preet said:
From a deck of 52 cards, the 12 face cards are removed. From these face cards, 4 are chosen. How many combinations that have at least 2 queens are possible?
The answer is 201... I can't get here. This is what I did:
case1) 4 queens can be chosen C(4,2) ways * 10 cards can be chosen C(10,2) ways
case2) 4 queens can be chosen C(4,3) ways * 9 cards can be chosen C(9,1) ways
case3) 4 queens can be chosen C(4,4) ways * 8 cards can be chosen C(8,0) ways
case 1 = 270
case 2 = 36
case 3 = 1
270+36+1 does not equal 201
what am I doing wrong? TiA

Here is your mistake.

I'll show for Case 1, then you can solve the rest.

4 Queens can be chosen, which is 4 C 2 ways. The problem is here. You said that 10 cards can be chosen, but that means a Queen can be chosen. That's wrong you can't choose a Queen again. So, it is 2 cards can be chosen from 8, which is 8 C 2.

See where this is going?

Now, solve it. :biggrin:
 
HINT: If exactly two queens are drawn, how many non-queens are available to complete the foursome?
 
If you do this, It's better to do it the reverse way. Find the universal amount of cards and subtract the complement, which is Tide's method: how many non-queens are available to complete the foursome. Most questions like these, if you take a backwards approach to it, it's a lot easier.

Cases can get a bit confusing.

So:

n(u) = 12C4

Let A be the # of sequences that have only 1 queen

n(a) = 9C4

Let B be the # of sequences that have no queen

n(b) = 8C4

Total number of combinations with at least 2 queens = n(u) - n(a) - n(b)
= 12C4 - 9C4 - 8C4
 
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Thanks ... I feel pretty stupid making a mistake like that.

...forevergone, your cases don't work out... I get an answer of 299 =p
 
It's probably a mathematical error, but the approach should be like that. If you use the complement and subtract it from the universe, you should get the right answer.
 
I tried to combine those 2 formulas but it didn't work. I tried using another case where there are 2 red balls and 2 blue balls only so when combining the formula I got ##\frac{(4-1)!}{2!2!}=\frac{3}{2}## which does not make sense. Is there any formula to calculate cyclic permutation of identical objects or I have to do it by listing all the possibilities? Thanks
Since ##px^9+q## is the factor, then ##x^9=\frac{-q}{p}## will be one of the roots. Let ##f(x)=27x^{18}+bx^9+70##, then: $$27\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)^2+b\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)+70=0$$ $$b=27 \frac{q}{p}+70 \frac{p}{q}$$ $$b=\frac{27q^2+70p^2}{pq}$$ From this expression, it looks like there is no greatest value of ##b## because increasing the value of ##p## and ##q## will also increase the value of ##b##. How to find the greatest value of ##b##? Thanks
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