Problem Solving

BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:15 pm

A florist has 2 azaleas, 3 buttercups, and 4 petunias. She puts two flowers together at random in a bouquet. However, the customer calls and says that she does not want two of the same flower. What is the probability that the florist does not have to change the bouquet?

A. 5/18
B. 13/18
C. 1/9
D. 1/6
E. 2/9

Answer: B
Source: Manhattan prep

First, we can rewrite the question as "What is the probability that the two flowers are different colors?"

Well, P(different colors) = 1 - P(same color)

Aside: let A = azalea, let B = buttercup, let P = petunia

P(same color) = P(both A's OR both B's OR both P's)
= P(both A's) + P(both B's) + P(both P's)

Now let's examine each probability:

P(both A's):
We need the 1st flower to be an azalea and the 2nd flower to be an azalea
So, P(both A's) = (2/9)(1/8) = 2/72

P(both B's)
= (3/9)(2/8) = 6/72

P(both P's)
= (4/9)(3/8) = 12/72

So, P(same color) = (2/72) + (6/72) + (12/72) = 20/72 = 5/18

Now back to the beginning:
P(diff colors) = 1 - P(same color)
= 1 - 5/18
= 13/18

Answer: B

Cheers,
Brent