Question

A committee of three has to be chosen from a group of 4 men and 5 women. If the selection is made at random, what is the probability that exactly two members are men?
A. $\dfrac{5}{14}$
B. $\dfrac{1}{21}$
C. $\dfrac{3}{14}$
D. $\dfrac{8}{21}$

Answer 1

Hint: In this question we will find the probability of men in the committee of 4 members and then we will find the probability of women. Then, in the final step, we will find the probability of exactly 2 men in the committee by using the formula $=\dfrac{\left[ \text{Probability of 2 men }\times \text{ Probability of 1 women} \right]}{\text{Total Probability}}$.

Complete step by step answer:
It is given in the question that there are 4 men and 5 women out of which we have to make a committee of 3 members.
Also, it is given that there are always two men and only one woman in the 3 member committee.
Now, we know that the formula of probability $=\dfrac{Number\ of\ favourable\ outcomes}{Total\ number\ of\ outcomes}$.
So, the probability of men to be on the committee is $={}^{4}{{C}_{2}}$.
As, we know that the formula for ${}^{n}{{C}_{r}}$ is given by ${}^{n}{{C}_{r}}=\dfrac{n!}{r!\left( n-r \right)!}$, we can write as,
${}^{4}{{C}_{2}}=\dfrac{4!}{2!\left( 4-2 \right)!}$
${}^{4}{{C}_{2}}=\dfrac{4\times 3\times 2!}{2!\times 2!}$
Cancelling $2!$ from numerator and denominator, we get,

& {}^{4}{{C}_{2}}=\dfrac{4\times 3}{2!} \\\ & {}^{4}{{C}_{2}}=\dfrac{12}{2} \\\ & {}^{4}{{C}_{2}}=6 \\\ \end{aligned}$$ Therefore, there are 6 combinations possible for men to be in the committee of 3 members. Similarly, the probability of women to be on the committee is $={}^{5}{{C}_{1}}$. As, we know that the formula for ${}^{n}{{C}_{r}}$is given by ${}^{n}{{C}_{r}}=\dfrac{n!}{r!\left( n-r \right)!}$, we can write that, $${}^{5}{{C}_{1}}=\dfrac{5!}{1!\left( 5-1 \right)!}$$ $$\begin{aligned} & {}^{5}{{C}_{1}}=\dfrac{5!}{1!\times 4!} \\\ & {}^{5}{{C}_{1}}=\dfrac{5\times 4!}{1\times 4!} \\\ \end{aligned}$$ Cancelling $$4!$$ from numerator and denominator, we get, $${}^{5}{{C}_{1}}=5$$ Therefore, there are 5 combinations possible for a woman to be in the committee of 3 members. Also, the total probability $={}^{9}{{C}_{3}}$. As, we know that the formula for ${}^{n}{{C}_{r}}$ is given by ${}^{n}{{C}_{r}}=\dfrac{n!}{r!\left( n-r \right)!}$, we can write as, ${}^{9}{{C}_{3}}=\dfrac{9!}{3!\left( 9-3 \right)!}$ ${}^{9}{{C}_{3}}=\dfrac{9\times 8\times 7\times 6!}{3!\times 6!}$ Cancelling $$6!$$ from numerator and denominator, we get, $$\begin{aligned} & {}^{9}{{C}_{3}}=\dfrac{9\times 8\times 7}{3\times 2\times 1} \\\ & {}^{9}{{C}_{3}}=84 \\\ \end{aligned}$$ Thus, total probability = 84. So, probability of exactly 2 men in the committee of 3 members will be $=\dfrac{\text{Probability of 2 men }\times \text{ Probability of 1 women}}{\text{Total Probability}}$ We can substitute the value of probability of 2 men as 6 and probability of 1 woman as 5. Also, w can substitute the total probability = 84 in the above equation and we will get, Probability of exactly 2 men $=\dfrac{6\times 5}{84}=\dfrac{30}{84}$ Dividing numerator and denominator by 6, we get, $\dfrac{30}{84}=\dfrac{5}{14}$ Thus, the probability exactly for 2 men in the committee of 3 members is $\dfrac{5}{14}$. Note: This question can be solved in just few lines if you know the formula ${}^{n}{{C}_{r}}=\dfrac{n!}{r!\left( n-r \right)!}$. Please note that the formula ${}^{n}{{C}_{r}}$ is different from the formula ${}^{n}{{P}_{r}}$. We use ${}^{n}{{P}_{r}}$ in finding permutation and ${}^{n}{{C}_{r}}$ in finding combinations.