Chapter 12.4, Problem 2CYU

To determine

To calculate: the probability that the first four players selected are in order of Alicia, Andrew, Marco and Zack

Answer to Problem 2CYU

The required probability is 0.000595

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

Eight players entered a tournament and the names are drawn randomly

Calculation:

Since there are total 8 players so number of possible orders of 8 players is,

8! = $40320$

Here first four need to be in specific order. That is first four players can be selected in 1 way. And possible orders of last 4 players is,

4! = $24$

Number of ways of selecting players in given order is

  $24\cdot 1=24$

So, the probability that first four players are in given order is,

  $\begin{array}{l}P(\text{Players in order})=\frac{24}{40320}\\ =0.000595\end{array}$

Hence, required probability is 0.000595