Homework Help: combinatorics/probability

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 4:10pm.

Can't figure this problem out... wasn't great at the combinatorics unit, then it turns out everything carries over to probability.

five couples attend a bridge party, including mr. and mrs. smith. they are randomly assigned partnership pairs.
1. probability mr. smith will have mrs. smith has a partner?
2. probability all five couples will be partners?

thanks!

combinatorics/probability - bobpursley, Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 4:47pm
Hmmmm. Randomly assigned parteners? Does that mean Mr Smith can get Mr Jones as a partner? The problem says randomly, so I assume same gender couples are ok.

1. (1/9) if same gender couples are ok.
2) (1/9)(1/7)(1/5)(1/3) check that thinking.

Now, if same gender are not allowed..
1) 1/5
2) 1/5* 1/4*1/3 * 1/2
check that.

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