Question

Another one that I could use some explanation on.

Dan has 5 pairs of socks in a drawer. If he takes out 2 socks at random, what is the probability that they will be a matched pair?

Answer 1

Is each pair different? (matches no other pair)

Answer 2

If so I'd hate to be him in the morning...

Answer 3

I think each pair is different, yes.

Answer 4

For some people, matching socks don't matter, but in this case, being that it is a math problem, it does.

Answer 5

Assuming it is the case: The first sock he grabs is irrelevant. The second one he grabs has to match the first. So in a bin of 9 socks (10 minus the first one he grabbed) there is only 1 that matches the one he just pulled.

Therefore he only has a 1/9 chance of pulling a matching pair if he only grabs 2 socks from a bin of 5 pairs.

Answer 6

Thanks.