Knotty Marble Probability

Satvik, Agnishom and Aditya each have a bag containing 4 4 differently colored marbles. Each bag contains the same four colours. Now they play a game,

First, Satvik picks one marble at random from each of Agnishom and Aditya's bag and places them in his own bag.

Next, Agnishom picks one marble at random from each of Satvik and Aditya's bag and places them in his own bag.

Finally, Aditya picks one marble at random from each of Satvik and Agnishom's bag and places them in his own bag.

At the end of the process, they open their bags and are thrilled to see that each bag contains 4 4 differently coloured marbles !

The probability of this event occurring can be expressed as a b \dfrac{a}{b} where a a and b b are positive co-prime integers.

Find a + b a+b


The answer is 161.

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1 solution

Satyen Nabar
Apr 18, 2015

When Aditya takes at the end, the other two MUST have 2 2 same and 3 3 different marbles. And Aditya must pick one of the 2 2 same marble pair from both of them with 2 5 × 2 5 = 4 25 \dfrac{2}{5}\times\dfrac{2}{5}=\dfrac{4}{25} chance.

This is common and must be multiplied at the end to all possible scenarios.

( A ) (A) Satvik picks same colour from both with 1 4 \dfrac{1}{4} chance. Now he has 3 3 same and 3 3 different marbles.

Agnishom must pick one of the 3 3 same with 3 6 \dfrac{3}{6} chance and can pick any colour from Aditya.

So its 1 4 × 3 6 = 1 8 \dfrac{1}{4}\times\dfrac{3}{6}=\dfrac{1}{8} chance.

( B ) (B) Satvik picks different coloured marbles from both with 3 4 \dfrac{3}{4} chance. Now he has 2 2 same, 2 2 same and 2 2 different marbles.

Agnishom must pick from either of the 2 2 sames.

( 1 ) (1) If Agnishom picks the colour he needs to make it 4 4 differently coloured marbles from Satvik with 2 6 \dfrac{2}{6} chance, then he can pick any colour from Aditya.

So its 3 4 × 2 6 = 1 4 \dfrac{3}{4}\times\dfrac{2}{6}=\dfrac{1}{4} chance.

( 2 ) (2) If Agnishom picks a colour from Satvik that he already has with a 2 6 \dfrac{2}{6} chance, then he must pick the colour he lacks from Aditya with 1 3 \dfrac{1}{3} chance.

So its 3 4 × 2 6 × 1 3 = 1 12 \dfrac{3}{4}\times\dfrac{2}{6}\times\dfrac{1}{3}=\dfrac{1}{12} chance.

Adding 1 8 + 1 4 + 1 12 = 11 24 \dfrac{1}{8}+\dfrac{1}{4}+\dfrac{1}{12}=\dfrac{11}{24}

Multiplying this by Aditya's chance we get probability of the event as

11 24 × 4 25 = 11 150 \dfrac{11}{24}\times\dfrac{4}{25}=\dfrac{11}{150}

In the part you considered Satvik picking same colored marbles, Agnishom would be having only three options from Aditya. So it will be (1/3)*(3/6)=(1/6).

Mini Gupta - 3 years, 2 months ago

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In A) after Satvik picks from other 2, he should have 4 of his color and 1 each from the other 2. I don't understand how you arrived at "he has 3 same and 3 different marbles." Please explain.

Bob Chickenham - 3 years ago

In A) after Satvik picks from other 2, he should have 4 of his color and 1 each from the other 2. I don't understand how you arrived at "he has 3 same and 3 different marbles." Please explain.

Bob Chickenham - 3 years ago

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