Six in a Subset of S

Level 2

Let set S S = { 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 }. You randomly pick a subset of S from a box (not including the empty set). The probability that the subset will have the number 6 6 in it can be expressed as a b \frac{a}{b} .

What is a + b a + b ?


The answer is 767.

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1 solution

Piyushkumar Palan
Dec 29, 2013

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 2\cdot2\cdot2\cdot\cdot\cdot\cdot2 (9 times) = 2 9 = 512 = 2^{9} = 512

This includes empty set (not choosing any element).

Number of subsets of S excluding empty set = 2 9 1 = 511 2^{9} - 1 = 511

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 = 256 2^8 = 256

So probability = 256 511 \frac{256}{511}

Answer: 256 + 511 = 767 256 + 511 = \boxed{767}

Note: Nothing special about element 6 in this question. Any other would give same answer.

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