Understanding Sample Spaces & Card Shuffling

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding sample spaces in probability, specifically in the context of shuffling a deck of cards and determining the outcomes related to drawing a card. The original poster seeks clarification on defining the sample space and calculating the number of outcomes for a specific event.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to define the sample space as the set of all possible outcomes when drawing a card from a shuffled deck. They question whether their understanding of the sample space and the calculation for the number of hearts is correct. Other participants verify the sample space but express differing views on the calculation of outcomes for drawing a heart.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes some verification of the sample space concept, but there is disagreement regarding the calculation of outcomes for the event of drawing a heart. Multiple interpretations are being explored, particularly concerning the correct number of outcomes.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes a lack of answers in their textbook, which may contribute to their uncertainty about the problem. There is also a mention of homework constraints that may limit the exploration of the topic.

EugP
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Homework Statement


I'm having some trouble understanding how to write a sample space in a problem.
Here's an example:
Shuffle a deck of cards and turn over the first card. What is the sample space of this experiment? How many outcomes are in the event that the first card is a heart?


Homework Equations


[tex]C_k^n = {n \choose k} = \frac{n!}{k!(n - k)!}[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution


From what I was explained, sample space is the mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive set of all possible outcomes. So in my case, wouldn't it be {2-A of hearts, 2-A of spades, 2-A of clubs, 2-A of diamonds} ? Those together create all the possiblities in the deck.
For the second part, isn't it simply 52 choose 13? If it is, it will just be

[tex]{52 \choose 13} = \frac{52!}{13!(52 - 13)!} = 635,013,559,600 \approx 11<br /> 6.350135596 \cdot 10^{11}[/tex]

But I'm not sure this is right. There are no answers in my book. If someone could help me on this it would be greatly appreciated.
 
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yes. You are right.
Sample space consists of all cards in the deck
and the answer of the second part is in mattmns 's post
 
Last edited:
Thanks for verifying!
 
I disagree with your second answer, I think it should be 13. The possible outcomes of a heart being the first card flipper over are A hearts, K hearts, ... , 2 hearts.
 

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