Revision as of 06:36, 23 September 2008 by Ahartnet (Talk)

An important part to figuring out part b is to understand why P(x=k) is 1/n:

P(x = 1) = 1/n

P(x = 2) = (n-1)/n * 1/(n-1)

P(x = 3) = (n-1)/n * (n-2)/(n-1) * 1/n

P(x = k) = (n-1)/n * ... * (n - (k-1))/(n-k) * 1/(n-(k-1))

        = [(n-1)*...*(n-k-1)] / [n*...*(n-k-1)]
        = [(n-1)!/(n-k)!]/[n!/(n-k)!]
        = [ (n-1)!/ (n!)]
        = 1/n

You can then use this probability while solving the rest of 2b.

Alumni Liaison

Basic linear algebra uncovers and clarifies very important geometry and algebra.

Dr. Paul Garrett