# Homework Help: Probability: Draw w/o replacement, 3 different kinds of balls, don't understand

1. Oct 18, 2011

### zeion

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

This was an example given in class but I didn't understand how the answer was derived.
Suppose we draw 3 balls without replacement from an urn with 2 red, 2 green, and 2 blue balls. Define the following random variables:

R = number of red balls drawn
G = number of green balls drawn
B = number of blue balls drawn

What is the probability mass function of R?

0 -> 24/120
1 -> 72/120
2 -> 24/120

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

I don't understand how to get those ratios.
For 0 red balls, there will be either 2G 1B or 2B 1G.

2. Oct 18, 2011

### LCKurtz

Why not reduce those fractions?

For example, to get 1 red you would have to choose 1 from the 2 red and 2 from the 4 non-red. That can be done in $\binom2 1 \binom 4 2$ ways. The total number of ways to choose 3 balls from the 6 is $\binom 6 3$ Dividing gives

$$P(2 \hbox{ red}) = \frac{\binom2 1 \binom 4 2}{\binom 6 3} = \frac 3 5$$
ways.

Last edited: Oct 18, 2011
3. Oct 19, 2011

### HallsofIvy

For the purposes of finding the probability of a certain number of red bals, the distinction between green and blue is irrelevant. So just think that there are 2 red and 4 "non-red" balls.

To get 0 red balls you have to get a non-red ball each time. There are 4 non-red out of 6 so the probability of a non-red ball on the first draw is 4/6= 2/3. Since we do not replace it there are 5 balls left, three of which are non-red. The probability of getting a non-red ball is now 3/5. Since we do not replace it, there are now 4 balls, two of which are non-red. The probability that the third ball drawn is also non-red is 2/4= 1/2.

For "one red ball", you could calculate the probability of "RNN" (red, non-red, non-red) in the same way, then use the fact that all three orders, "RNN", "NRN", and "NNR" are all the same.

For "two red balls", look at "RRN", "RNR", and "NRR".

4. Oct 19, 2011

### zeion

Thank you!
That made sense. I copied something like that in my notes but couldn't figure it out.