Probability (involving conditioning)

[bennyska]

Homework Statement

a deck of cards is shuffled and then divided into two halves of 26 cards each. a card is drawn from one of the halves; it turns out to be an ace. the ace is then placed in the second half-deck. the half is then shuffled, and a card is drawn from it. compute the probability that this drawn card is an ace.
{hint: condition on whether or not the interchanged card is selected.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

so at first, i was totally lost. i did a google search, and found another physicsforums thread that went over this question. (https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=174152). the solution for the most part made sense to me. however, I'm confused by the original hint, condition on whether or not the interchanged card is selected. what exactly does that mean? and is there another way to solve the problem, other than the solution on the other page?

 

[tiny-tim]

hi bennyska!

is there another way to solve the problem, other than the solution on the other page?

i doubt it

the solution for the most part made sense to me

hmm … "for the most part" ? …

i think the best thing is for you to write out the proof (in your own words) as far as you can, and then we'll see where you're getting stuck!

(use the P(A|B) terminology)