document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=617668>Question 617668</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> 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.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "How many possible outcomes could there be?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "what is the probability that the first of the three will be a mussel shell?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I need to know how to do this? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #388474 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scott8148><B>scott8148(6628)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scott8148><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=scott8148><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=388474\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> the 1st shell could be c, s, or m ___ 3 possibilities total\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "each of the three 1st possibilities, then has three 2nd possibilities ___ 3^2 possibilities total\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "this pattern keeps repeating, with each additional shell increasing the possible outcomes by a factor of 3\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "so picking up three shells has 3^3 possible outcomes\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "the probability that the 1st shell will be m, is one in three or 1/3 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );