Probability - drawer with socks

Not what you're looking for? Search our solutions OR ask your own Custom question.

This content was COPIED from BrainMass.com - View the original, and get the already-completed solution here!

1) A drawer contains n=5 different and distinguishable pairs of socks
(a total of 10 socks). If a person randomly selects 4 socks, what is
the probability that there is no matching pair in the sample?

2) A drawer contains n different and distinguishable pairs of socks (a
total of 2n socks). A person randomly selects 2r of the socks, where
2r > n. In terms of n and r, what is the probability that there is no
matching pair in the sample?

© BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com November 29, 2021, 11:59 pm ad1c9bdddf
https://brainmass.com/math/probability/probability-drawer-with-socks-13698

Solution Preview

1) These socks are distinct, so the order of choice is important. The total possible choices are: 10*9*8*7, i.e. we have ten options first, then 9 for the second choice and so on.
The possible desired methods are 10*8*6*4, i.e. again we can choose any one of them, ...

Solution Summary

There are two probability questions regarding a drawer with socks of different colors here.

$2.49