In United States currency, a nickel ....

[factor26]

In United States currency, a nickel is worth 5 cents, a penny is worth 1 cent, and a dime is worth 10 cents. 100 cents equals one dollar. If a hand purse contains 6 nickels, 5 pennies and 4 dimes, what is the probability of picking a coin other than a nickel twice in a row if the first coin picked is not put back?

a - 8/25

b - 12/35

c - 13/35

d - 9/25

e - 17/25

answer is b please explain how to solve ... thanks!

[neelgandham]

In United States currency, a nickel is worth 5 cents, a penny is worth 1 cent, and a dime is worth 10 cents. 100 cents equals one dollar. If a hand purse contains 6 nickels, 5 pennies and 4 dimes, what is the probability of picking a coin other than a nickel twice in a row if the first coin picked is not put back?

a - 8/25

b - 12/35

c - 13/35

d - 9/25

e - 17/25

answer is b please explain how to solve ... thanks!

probability of picking a coin other than a nickel (first turn) =9/15
probability of picking a coin other than a nickel (first turn) =8/14

P = (9/15)*(8/14) =(3/5)*(4/7) = [spoiler]12/35[/spoiler]

[shankar.ashwin]

6N,5P and 4D. Total - 15. We are interested only in the 9 coins here (excluding the 6N)

So, (9/15) * (8/14) = 12/35 B

[factor26]

I misunderstood the question that was asked. For some reason I though they were looking for the probability of picking either a dime or a penny consectively .... Prob of picking two dimes d x d + prob of two pennies in a row p x p whoops!!! Thanks guys!!!