Finding the number of blue socks

A drawer holds 33 red socks and nn blue socks. Two socks are drawn uniformly at random without replacement, and the probability that both are red is 12\tfrac12. Find nn.

Show hints (2)+
  1. P(both red)=(32)/(n+32)=6/((n+3)(n+2))\mathbb{P}(\text{both red})=\binom{3}{2}/\binom{n+3}{2}=6/((n+3)(n+2)).
  2. Set it to 1/21/2: (n+3)(n+2)=12(n+3)(n+2)=12.

Answer

Reveal answer →

1

Want the full step-by-step worked solution? It's part of Premium - along with a worked solution for every question in the bank.

Asked at: IMC, SIG

Related questions