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Probability Problem

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by Mr.Hollywood » Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:55 pm
A florist has 2 azaleas, 3 buttercups, and 4 petunias. She puts two flowers together at random in a bouquet. But the customer doesn't want two of the same flower in one bouquet. What is the probability that the florist does not have to change the bouquet?

Thanks guys!
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Source: — Problem Solving |

by Anurag@Gurome » Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:18 pm
Mr.Hollywood wrote:A florist has 2 azaleas, 3 buttercups, and 4 petunias. She puts two flowers together at random in a bouquet. But the customer doesn't want two of the same flower in one bouquet. What is the probability that the florist does not have to change the bouquet?

Thanks guys!
Probability that the florist does not have to change the bouquet = 1 - (probability that the two flowers are azaleas + probability that the two flowers are buttercups + probability that the two flowers are petunias)
= 1 - [(2/9 * 1/8) + (3/9 * 2/8) + (4/9 * 3/8)]
= 1 - [20/72]
= 1 - 5/18
= [spoiler]13/18[/spoiler]
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
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