The Student Room Group
Reply 1
gemma.....
Guys, is there anyone there that can do this question!

ABSTEMIOUS is arranged at random, find the probability that the vowels and consonants appear alternately!

I can't think how to do it. :redface:

Alright..........
<this is for my benefit>
Vowels: - AEIOU
Consonants: - BSTMS
So you could have (V=vowel and C=consonant)
VCVCVCVCVC OR CVCVCVCVCV
chances of picking a vowel = 1/2
chances of then picking a consonant = 5/9
chances of then picking a vowel = 4/8 = 1/2
chances of then picking a consonant = 4/7
chances of then picking a vowel = 3/6 = 1/2
chances of then picking a consonant = 3/5
chances of then picking a vowel = 2/4 = 1/2
chances of then picking a consonant =2/3
chances of then picking a vowel= 1/2
chances of then picking a consonant = 1
multiply all those probabilities together then multiply that by 2 (coz you could either start with a VCVC... or CVCV...)
Reply 2
i HATE stats :frown:
Reply 3
mockel
i HATE stats :frown:

amen :frown:
Reply 4
There are 10!/(5!5!) ways of arranging the letters VVVVVCCCCC. Two of these arrangements have alternate Vs and Cs.

Answer = 2 / [10!/(5!5!)] = 1/126 (same as Katie's answer).
Reply 5
Jonny W
There are 10!/(5!5!) ways of arranging the letters VVVVVCCCCC. Two of these arrangements have alternate Vs and Cs.

Answer = 2 / [10!/(5!5!)] = 1/126 (same as Katie's answer).

Ahhh thanks every1! nice one!
Reply 6
Jonny W
There are 10!/(5!5!) ways of arranging the letters VVVVVCCCCC. Two of these arrangements have alternate Vs and Cs.

Answer = 2 / [10!/(5!5!)] = 1/126 (same as Katie's answer).

Gemma go with this method - so much neater
Reply 7
Katie Heskins
Gemma go with this method - so much neater

i agree, even though i don't understand what is going on :biggrin:
Reply 8
LOL, yeah that one seems simpler, but you've showed me the reason behind it all!
Don't like stats, it gets me confused easy, and it just seems to be the same thing over. The more i read the book the more confused i get!