5. A group of n people stand in a line. On the count of three, each of them simultaneously chooses to look either left or right (with equal probability): at one of their neighbors. Let X be the number of pairs of adjacent people that end up facing each other. (For example, if n = 5 and the random facings are "Left, Left, Right, Left, Right" then only the 3rd and 4th people face each other.) (a) Find the expected value E[X]. (b) Find Pr[X=0]. (c) Assuming n is even, find the maximum possible value of X, and the probability that X is equal to that value.

A First Course in Probability (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN:9780134753119
Author:Sheldon Ross
Publisher:Sheldon Ross
Chapter1: Combinatorial Analysis
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1.1P: a. How many different 7-place license plates are possible if the first 2 places are for letters and...
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5. A group of n people stand in a line. On the count of three, each of them simultaneously
chooses to look either left or right (with equal probability): at one of their neighbors.
Let X be the number of pairs of adjacent people that end up facing each other. (For example,
if n = 5 and the random facings are "Left, Left, Right, Left, Right" then only the 3rd and 4th
people face each other.)
(a) Find the expected value E[X].
(b) Find Pr[X=0].
(c) Assuming n is even, find the maximum possible value of X, and the probability that X
is equal to that value.
Transcribed Image Text:5. A group of n people stand in a line. On the count of three, each of them simultaneously chooses to look either left or right (with equal probability): at one of their neighbors. Let X be the number of pairs of adjacent people that end up facing each other. (For example, if n = 5 and the random facings are "Left, Left, Right, Left, Right" then only the 3rd and 4th people face each other.) (a) Find the expected value E[X]. (b) Find Pr[X=0]. (c) Assuming n is even, find the maximum possible value of X, and the probability that X is equal to that value.
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