Probability of Pairings in Chess Game

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating probabilities related to pairings in a chess contest between two schools, each with a different number of players. The specific scenarios include the likelihood of two specific players, Rebecca and Elise, being paired, being chosen but not playing against each other, and the situation where only one of them is chosen to represent their school.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations for the probabilities of different scenarios involving Rebecca and Elise, questioning the correctness of their own computations versus those in the textbook.

Discussion Status

Some participants express confidence in the textbook answers, while others are exploring their own reasoning and calculations. There is a recognition of potential overcomplication in the original poster's approach, and some participants offer alternative perspectives on the probability calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies between their calculations and the textbook answers, indicating a need to clarify assumptions about the selection and pairing process. The discussion reflects a mix of confidence and uncertainty regarding the arithmetic involved in the probability calculations.

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[SOLVED] Probability of Pairings in Chess Game

Homework Statement


The chess clubs of two schools consist of, respectively, 8 and 9 players. Four members from each club are randomly chosen to participate in a contest between the two schools. The chosen players from one team are then randomly paired with those from the other team, and each pairing plays a game of chess. Suppose that Rebecca and her sister Elise are on the chess clubs at different schools. What is the probability that

(a) Rebecca and Elise will be paired;
(b) Rebecca and Elise will be chosen to represent their schools but will not play each other;
(c) exactly one of Rebecca and Elise will be chosen to represent her school?


Homework Equations


Axioms and basic theorems of probabilitiy.


The Attempt at a Solution


(a) Assuming each possible team is equally likely and each possible pairing is equally likely, the the probability sought is the ratio of the number of possible teams and pairing in which Rebacca and Elise are paired to the total possible number of teams and pairings which should be

\frac{\binom{7}{3}\binom{8}{3}3!}{\binom{8}{4}\binom{9}{4}4!} = \frac{1}{14}

The book says the answer is 1/18 however.

(b) That should be

\frac{\binom{7}{3}\binom{8}{3}3 \cdot 3!}{\binom{8}{4}\binom{9}{4}4!} = \frac{3}{14}

The book says the answer is 3/18 however.

(c) That should be

\frac{\binom{7}{3}\binom{8}{4}4! + \binom{7}{4}\binom{8}{3}4!}{\binom{8}{4}\binom{9}{4}4!} = \frac{1}{2}

The book has the same answer.

My gripe is with (a) and (b). Is the book right or am I right?
 
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The book is right. You may be overcomplicating things. The probability R is chosen is 4/8, that E is chosen is 4/9. Once chosen, the odds they will play each other is 1/4. What's the probability of all of those things happening? Change it for the case of 'not play'.
 
BTW. Your counting expressions are also correct. Just the final numbers are wrong.
 
Dick said:
The book is right. You may be overcomplicating things. The probability R is chosen is 4/8, that E is chosen is 4/9. Once chosen, the odds they will play each other is 1/4. What's the probability of all of those things happening? Change it for the case of 'not play'.

Yes, I do tend to overcomplicate things. You seem to have a very good intuition for this kind of thing.

I realized where I made the stupid arithmetical mistake. Thanks.
 

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