SOLUTION: A board game is played with wooden pieces, where each piece shows a number on one side. There are 42 pieces altogether, and each piece shows a number from 1 to 42. Each number f

Algebra ->  Probability-and-statistics -> SOLUTION: A board game is played with wooden pieces, where each piece shows a number on one side. There are 42 pieces altogether, and each piece shows a number from 1 to 42. Each number f      Log On


   

Question 188341: A board game is played with wooden pieces, where each piece shows a number on one side. There are 42 pieces altogether, and each piece shows a number from 1 to 42. Each number from 1 to 42 is on exactly one piece.) To begin the game you randomly select 5 pieces.
How many possibilities are there for the numbers you begin with ie in how many different ways can you choose your 5 pieces-the answer is C(42,5) = 850668
The odd numbered pieces are painted blue and the even numbered pieces are painted white. In how many ways could you select your pieces so that they are all white-the answer is C(21,5) = 20349
this is the one I can not get
What is the probability that all the pieces you select are white (your answer must be accurate to 4 decimal places)?
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


There are 21 white pieces out of 42 total pieces, so the probability that the first one you pick will be white is



Given that you pick a white piece the first time, there are then 20 white pieces left out of 41 total pieces, so:



and so on...

Your total probability for 5 white pieces is then:




John