12 people are running a race. probablilty of #3 person will win?

Question

that is 1out of 12 im pretty sure right?
probablity that # 3 OR #7 would win?
the # 3 OR #7 OR the #9?
thanks!
i think you use permutation but im kind of confused
thankyou

Answer 1

1/12
2/12 or 1/6
3/12 or 1/4

Answer 2

"probability" is defined as a number between 0 and 1, inclusive.

In this case, the probablility of any given runner's winnning
= 1/12 = .08333 ...

[assuming each runner has equal likelihood of winning .. not stated, but if an answer can be validly assigned to the questions, it's a reasonable assumption]

the probability of #3 OR #7 winning, since they are independent and mutually exclusive events, is just the sum of the probabilities for each of them : ie" 1/12 + 1/12 = 1/6 = .16666...

by now, the pattern should be fairly clear:

p(# 3 OR #7 OR the #9) = p(# 3) + p(#7) + p(#9) = 3/12 = .2500

[where p(x) is defined as the probability of 'x' winning]

One point I realy wanted to make was that using the words:
" 1 in 12" is not really the way *probability* is described.
There is a level of ambiguity in this speech-pattern which is not consisent with mathematical modelling of probability.

caveat "everybody knows it's the same thing" ... mmm .. nahh

the problem is that "1 in 12" is not a number, while "1/12" is.

subtle, maybe .. picky? ... maybe ... but the weird thing is that using 'correct' speech patterns actually *helps* clarify the mental architecture which allows accurate modelling ... if you're taking a math class, your teacher has to "flinch" everytime they hear the "1 in 12" usage.

good luck

[permutation usage will come later]

Answer 3

1 out of 12

2 out of 12

3 out of 12

Answer 4

it depends on how many #3's there are if theres one then the probability is aproximately 1/12

Answer 5

#3 chance of winning = 8.33%
#3 or #7 chance of winning = 16.6%
#3, #7 or #9 chance of winning = 25%

Answer 6

Hi. Sounds like the right track.