Math Problem Statement

Calculate the probability that randomly selecting three people from a group of six men and three women were result in selecting three women

Solution

To calculate the probability of randomly selecting three women from a group consisting of six men and three women, we need to use combinatorics.

We approach this problem step-by-step:

  1. Total number of people: 6 men + 3 women = 9 people.
  2. Favorable outcomes: We need to select all 3 women from the group of 3 women.
    • The number of ways to select 3 women from 3 women is (33)=1\binom{3}{3} = 1.
  3. Total possible outcomes: The number of ways to select 3 people from 9 people is (93)\binom{9}{3}.

Now, calculate (93)\binom{9}{3}:

(93)=9×8×73×2×1=84\binom{9}{3} = \frac{9 \times 8 \times 7}{3 \times 2 \times 1} = 84

Thus, the total number of ways to select 3 people from 9 is 84.

  1. Probability: The probability is the ratio of favorable outcomes to the total outcomes.

Probability=(33)(93)=184\text{Probability} = \frac{\binom{3}{3}}{\binom{9}{3}} = \frac{1}{84}

Thus, the probability of selecting 3 women is 184\frac{1}{84}.


Would you like more details or clarifications on any step?

Here are 5 questions that expand on this problem:

  1. How would the probability change if there were 4 women instead of 3?
  2. How is the combination formula (nr)\binom{n}{r} derived?
  3. What is the probability of selecting 2 men and 1 woman?
  4. How do combinations differ from permutations in this context?
  5. What is the probability of selecting at least 1 woman when selecting 3 people?

Tip: In probability, combinations are used when the order of selection doesn't matter, whereas permutations are used when order matters.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Combinatorics
Probability

Formulas

Combination formula: \( \binom{n}{r} = \frac{n!}{r!(n-r)!} \)
Probability formula: Probability = \( \frac{Favorable \, Outcomes}{Total \, Outcomes} \)

Theorems

Combination theorem (binomial coefficient)
Basic probability principles

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12