SOLUTION: If you have 8 pairs of shoes (16 individual shoes) you randomly choose 1 shoe, and without replacing it, you randomly choose another what is the probability that you choose a match

Question 301502: If you have 8 pairs of shoes (16 individual shoes) you randomly choose 1 shoe, and without replacing it, you randomly choose another what is the probability that you choose a matching pair?
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If you have 8 pairs of shoes (16 individual shoes) you randomly choose 1 shoe, and without replacing it, you randomly choose another what is the probability that you choose a matching pair?
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1st pick: any shoe; probability is one
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2nd pick: P(pick the matching pair) = 1/15
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Ans: 1/15
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Another way to do it:
# of ways to pick a pair: 8
# of ways to pick 2 shoes: 16C2 = 16*15/1*2 = 8*15
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P(end up with a pair) = 8/(8/15) = 1/15
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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