Jonathan had a habit of throwing his socks in the drawer without mating them. All of his socks were either white or blue. One night just as he was getting ready to go to a party , the electricicy went out. Jonathan reached into the drawer and took out a certain number of socks, knowing that he could put them on later in a place where there was light, and that he would be sure to have a pair.(He did not care which color; he just wanted two that matched.) What is the smallest number of sockshe would have to take out to be sure of having a matching pair? How did he know this would work? show your work!
2007-01-18 08:37:42 · 3 answers · asked by Maggie J 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
Three socks. First grab is either white or blue. Assume white. Second grab is either white or blue. Assume blue. Third grab is either white or blue. He already has one of each so either color will make a pair.
2007-01-18 08:45:20 · answer #1 · answered by JT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously 3. Since there are only 2 colors,
2 socks out of any 3 will have the same color!
2007-01-18 16:45:04 · answer #2 · answered by steiner1745 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 socks
There are only two colors, so, in picking three socks out of the drawer, there would be at least one pair that matched.
2007-01-18 16:42:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋