Student birth month distribution probability question

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The probability problem involves calculating the distribution of 30 students' birthdays across 12 months, specifically with six months having two students each and six months having three students each. The correct formula to use is the multinomial coefficient, represented as n! / (n1!n2!...nk!), where n is the total number of students and n1, n2, etc., are the number of students in each month. The final probability is calculated as [(30!/(2!2!2!2!2!2!3!3!3!3!3!3!)) * 12!] / 12^30, resulting in a probability of approximately 0.000346.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of multinomial coefficients in probability
  • Familiarity with factorial notation and calculations
  • Basic knowledge of probability theory
  • Ability to manipulate and simplify mathematical expressions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of multinomial distributions in probability theory
  • Learn about combinatorial methods for counting arrangements
  • Explore the application of the birthday problem in probability
  • Practice calculating probabilities using different distributions
USEFUL FOR

Students in mathematics or statistics, educators teaching probability concepts, and anyone interested in combinatorial probability problems.

Proggy99
Messages
49
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A class contains 30 students. What is th eprobability that there are six months each containing the birthdays of two students, and six months each containing the birthdays of three students. Assume that all months have the same probability of including the birthday of a randomly selected person.

Homework Equations


distributing n students across k months with n1 students in the first month, n2 students in the second, ..., nk students in the kth month would use the formula n! / (n1!n2!n3!...nk!)
there are 12! variations on the above formula
there are 12^{30} possible combinations of 30 students spread across 12 months


The Attempt at a Solution


[(n! / (n1!n2!n3!...nk!)) * 12!] / 12^{30} =
[(30!/(2!2!2!2!2!2!3!3!3!3!3!3!)) * 12!] / 12^{30} = 179.255

I know the answer is .000346, I just do not know what I am doing wrong.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Proggy99 said:

Homework Statement


A class contains 30 students. What is th eprobability that there are six months each containing the birthdays of two students, and six months each containing the birthdays of three students. Assume that all months have the same probability of including the birthday of a randomly selected person.

Homework Equations


distributing n students across k months with n1 students in the first month, n2 students in the second, ..., nk students in the kth month would use the formula n! / (n1!n2!n3!...nk!)
there are 12! variations on the above formula
there are 12^{30} possible combinations of 30 students spread across 12 months


The Attempt at a Solution


[(n! / (n1!n2!n3!...nk!)) * 12!] / 12^{30} =
[(30!/(2!2!2!2!2!2!3!3!3!3!3!3!)) * 12!] / 12^{30} = 179.255

I know the answer is .000346, I just do not know what I am doing wrong.

There aren't "12! variations on the above formula". The number of variations is the number of ways to choose six months out of twelve.
 
Dick said:
There aren't "12! variations on the above formula". The number of variations is the number of ways to choose six months out of twelve.

ah yes, that makes sense, I was focusing in the wrong direction when trying to figure out what I was missing. So by figuring out all the different variations of six months, I automatically have all the variations of the other six months in relation to the first six. I was doing 12! to do all the different orders of 12 months, which in this case does not fit the problem. Thanks for the help
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K