Find the probability:

A shelf hold 3 novels, 2 biographies, and 1 history book. Two students in turn choose a book at random. What is the probability that the student choose the following?

a history, then a novel

Question

Find the probability:
 
A shelf hold 3 novels, 2 biographies, and 1 history book.  Two students in turn choose a book at random.  What is the probability that the student choose the following?
 
a history, then a novel

amistre64 · Answer

what is our basic definition for calculating probability?

amistre64 · Answer

or if you know the basics, what has your attempt been?

1dfanatic · Answer

well 3 novels and 1 history so thats four out of six right?

amistre64 · Answer

1 history our of 6 books on the shelf

we would expect 1/6 for picking a history book to start with.  agreed?

1dfanatic · Answer

yes

amistre64 · Answer

3 novels our of .. 5 left on the shelf.  whats the probability for this one?

amistre64 · Answer

*out of .... my fingers hate me lol

1dfanatic · Answer

3/5

amistre64 · Answer

ok, so we have our setup

1/6 of the time a person picks a history book first

3/5 of 1/6 of the time, a person will pick a novel next.

what is 3/5ths of 1/6 ?

1dfanatic · Answer

3/30?

amistre64 · Answer

yep, simplify as wanted

1dfanatic · Answer

Thank you so much for your help!

amistre64 · Answer

youre welcome