N people sit down at random a classroom containing n+p seats

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the probability that all red seats in a classroom will be occupied when n people sit down at random in a classroom containing n+p seats, with m red seats present.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the appropriate combinations to use for calculating the probability, questioning the numerator and considering different ways to allocate people to red and non-red seats.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the correct formulation for the probability, with participants suggesting various combinations and correcting each other’s reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the allocation of seats after some have been filled.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of the problem, including the relationships between the number of people, total seats, and red seats, while also addressing the implications of these constraints on their calculations.

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n people sit down at random a classroom containing n+p seats. There are m red seats (m<=n) in the classroom, what is the probability that all red seats will be occupied?

I know the bottom should be n+p choose n but I'm not sure what the numerator should be, any ideas would be great.

I was thinking n+p choose m since that will give the different ways that the red seats could be chosen, times n+p choose n-m which gives the choices that the non-red seats could be chosen.

Or: [tex]\frac{ C^{n+p} _{m} C^{n+p} _{n-m} } { C^{n+p} _{n} }[/tex]

Does this logic make sense?
 
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indigojoker said:
I was thinking n+p choose m since that will give the different ways that the red seats could be chosen, times n+p choose n-m which gives the choices that the non-red seats could be chosen.
Close, but after having allocated m people amongst the n+p seats there are now only n+p-m seats to allocate the remaining n-m people.
 


then:
[tex] \frac{ C^{n+p} _{m} C^{n+p-m} _{n-m} } { C^{n+p} _{n} }[/tex]?
 


indigojoker said:
then:
[tex] \frac{ C^{n+p} _{m} C^{n+p-m} _{n-m} } { C^{n+p} _{n} }[/tex]?
EDIT: my error; see the other post.
 
Last edited:

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