SOLUTION: you are walking along a beach in s.c. where there are equal numbers of clam shells, scallop shells and mussel shells.... you pick up three at random. How many possible outcomes co

Question 617668: you are walking along a beach in s.c. where there are equal numbers of clam shells, scallop shells and mussel shells.... you pick up three at random.
How many possible outcomes could there be?
what is the probability that the first of the three will be a mussel shell?
I need to know how to do this?
Answer by scott8148(6628) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the 1st shell could be c, s, or m ___ 3 possibilities total

each of the three 1st possibilities, then has three 2nd possibilities ___ 3^2 possibilities total

this pattern keeps repeating, with each additional shell increasing the possible outcomes by a factor of 3

so picking up three shells has 3^3 possible outcomes

the probability that the 1st shell will be m, is one in three or 1/3
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