What Is the Probability of Two Specific People Sitting Next to Each Other?

[pivoxa15]

Homework Statement

A group comprising 6 peoiple is sitting around a table. Find the probability that two particular people are sitting next to each other.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

4!2!/5!=2/5 because total number of possibities is 5!. If 2 people are to be next to each other than there are 5 groups so 4! choices with each choice, one can swap the group of two. So times by 2!.


BUt the answers suggested 1/5

 

[Dick]

Some really dubious 'answers' are being suggested to you. The answer is clearly 2/5. Pick one of the particular people. There are 2 people sitting next to him and 3 not. The odds the other particular person is in the former group is 2/5.

 

[pivoxa15]

That is a nice way of doing it.