Let set = { }. You randomly pick a subset of S from a box (not including the empty set). The probability that the subset will have the number in it can be expressed as .
What is ?
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To choose a subset of S, we have 2 options for each element: to be chosen / not to be chosen.
So by rule of product (multiplication principle of counting),
total Number of subsets of S = 2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ 2 (9 times) = 2 9 = 5 1 2
This includes empty set (not choosing any element).
Number of subsets of S excluding empty set = 2 9 − 1 = 5 1 1
Let element 6 be included. No we have 2 choices (to be chosen / not to be chosen) each of remaining 8 elements.
So no. of such subsets = 2 8 = 2 5 6
So probability = 5 1 1 2 5 6
Answer: 2 5 6 + 5 1 1 = 7 6 7
Note: Nothing special about element 6 in this question. Any other would give same answer.