MHB What is the Probability of Certain Digits Not Appearing in a Random Selection?

  • Thread starter Thread starter WMDhamnekar
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Random
Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the probabilities of certain digits not appearing in a random selection of digits. For event (a), the probability that 0 does not appear is calculated as 0.59049, derived from the general formula (9/10)^k. Event (b) mirrors the calculation for event (a), while event (c) is expressed as (81/100)^k, indicating the probability that neither 0 nor 1 appears. Event (d) is formulated as 2(9/10)^k - (81/100)^k, representing the probability that at least one of the digits 0 or 1 does not appear. The conversation highlights the complexity of the calculations and the need for clarity in expressing these probabilities.
WMDhamnekar
MHB
Messages
378
Reaction score
30
What is the probability that among k random digits,

(a) 0 does not appear;

(b) 1 does not appear;

(c) neither 0 nor 1 appears;

(d) at least one of the two digits 0 and 1 does not appear?

Let A and B represents the events in (a) and (b). Express the other events in terms of A and B.

My answer to (a) : $\displaystyle\sum_{k=1}^{5}\binom{5}{k} (0.1)^k\cdot (0.9)^{5-k}= 0.40951$ = The probability that 0 appears in 5 random digits. So, 0 does not appear in 5 random digits is 1-0.40951 = 0.59049. ∴ In general terms, the answer is $(\frac{9}{10})^k$

My answer to (b):Same as computed for (a)

My answer to (c) :$(\frac{81}{100})^k$

My answer to (d): $ 2(\frac{9}{10})^k - (\frac{81}{100}) ^k$

If A= event (a) and B= event (b) , Other event can be expressed in terms of A and B as event (c)= A*B and event (d) = $A\cup B$
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
WMDhamnekar said:
My answer to (a) : ## \sum_{k=1}^{5}\binom{5}{k} (0.1)^k\cdot (0.9)^{5-k}= 0.40951 ## = The probability that 0 appears in 5 random digits. So, 0 does not appear in 5 random digits is 1-0.40951 = 0.59049.
That's a very complicated way to work it out.

WMDhamnekar said:
In general terms, the answer is ## (\frac{9}{10})^k ##
That's correct, and a much simpler way to work it out that bears no relation to what came before, so what was the point in that?

WMDhamnekar said:
My answer to (b):Same as computed for (a)
Clearly.

WMDhamnekar said:
My answer to (c) : ## (\frac{81}{100})^k ##
So would your answer to the question "P(none of {0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} appears)" be ## \left ( \frac{9^{10}}{10^{10}} \right )^k ##?

WMDhamnekar said:
My answer to (d): ## 2(\frac{9}{10})^k - (\frac{81}{100}) ^k ##
You've got the right idea here, but you need to get (c) right and this should follow.
 
First trick I learned this one a long time ago and have used it to entertain and amuse young kids. Ask your friend to write down a three-digit number without showing it to you. Then ask him or her to rearrange the digits to form a new three-digit number. After that, write whichever is the larger number above the other number, and then subtract the smaller from the larger, making sure that you don't see any of the numbers. Then ask the young "victim" to tell you any two of the digits of the...

Similar threads

Replies
10
Views
1K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
727