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Conference rusure::math

Title:Mathematics at DEC
Moderator:RUSURE::EDP
Created:Mon Feb 03 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2083
Total number of notes:14613

1722.0. "Probability class driving me nuts" by NECSC::S_BUSH () Sun Feb 28 1993 20:55

    The following is a problem from my wifes take home test that she needs
    help with. As I am not as math major I am lost. Any and all help will
    be greatly appreciated.
    
     What is the probabilitly of being dealt 6 cards from a complete deck
    and getting three distinct pairs.
    
    
    					Thanx Steve.
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1722.1CSC32::D_DERAMODan D'Eramo, Customer Support CenterSun Feb 28 1993 22:5514
                                      n!
        With the notation C(n,k) = ---------
                                   k! (n-k)!
        
        there are C(52,6) possible hands.  If m of them have
        three distinct pairs then the probability is m / C(52,6).
        
        So what is m?  You can choose 3 of the 13 ranks in C(13,3)
        ways.  A pair can be selected from the four suits in C(4,2)
        ways.  So m seems to be C(13,3) * C(4,2)^3.
        
        Does anyone else count them differently? :-)
        
        Dan
1722.2Counting can be hazardousVMSDEV::HALLYBFish have no concept of fire.Mon Mar 01 1993 09:0519
    Well, we agree on the numerator.  That's half the problem :-)
    Here's another denominator.  It's different.  It's wrong.
    
    How many possible 6-card, 3-distinct-pair hands are there?
    I count thusly:
    
    Card #1 :  52 choices
    Card #2 :   3 choices, the possible pairs for Card #1
    Card #3 :  48 choices, anything not of the rank of card #1
    Card #4 :   3 choices  matching the rank of Card #3
    Card #5 :  44 choices, anything not the rank of cards #1 or #3
    Card #6 :   3 choices  matching the rank of card #5
    	  _______
          2965248 possible hands, roughly 1/7th of C(52,6).
    
    Gee, I didn't know the chances were so good.  What's wrong here?
    (Hint:  6! does not divide 2965248, so that isn't it).
    
      John
1722.3CSC32::D_DERAMODan D'Eramo, Customer Support CenterMon Mar 01 1993 14:038
        The enumeration in .2 would count each 3-distinct-pair
        hand in each of the 3! orders of choosing cards 1, 3,
        and 5.  Can you check if it is six times the numerator
        from .1?
        
        Dan
        
        p.s.  We agreed on the denominator. :-)
1722.4RUSURE::EDPAlways mount a scratch monkey.Mon Mar 01 1993 14:117
    .2 counts each set of three ranks six times (once for each ordering of
    the set) and counts each of the three pairs twice (once for each
    ordering of cards in the pair).  If it is divided by 6*2^3, the result
    is the same as .1.
    
    
    				-- edp
1722.5Thank you NECSC::S_BUSHMon Mar 01 1993 20:475
    My wife thanks all of you for your responses. She understands your
    answers even if I do not. She would like to know if she could call on
    your expertise later if needed?
    
    		Steven Bush (Lost in Math)
1722.6CSC32::D_DERAMODan D'Eramo, Customer Support CenterMon Mar 01 1993 21:483
        Yes.  Feel free to post notes here any time.
        
        Dan
1722.7VMSDEV::HALLYBFish have no concept of fire.Tue Mar 02 1993 08:465
>        Yes.  Feel free to post notes here any time.
    
    Changes the situation from "No answer" to "Many answers".
    
      John (& thanks to EDP for his observation)