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,
\[\begin{align}
  & {}^{4}{{C}_{2}}=\dfrac{4\times 3}{2!} \\
 & {}^{4}{{C}_{2}}=\dfrac{12}{2} \\
 & {}^{4}{{C}_{2}}=6 \\
\end{align}\]
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,
\[{}^{5}{{C}_{1}}=\dfrac{5!}{1!\left( 5-1 \right)!}\]
\[\begin{align}
  & {}^{5}{{C}_{1}}=\dfrac{5!}{1!\times 4!} \\
 & {}^{5}{{C}_{1}}=\dfrac{5\times 4!}{1\times 4!} \\
\end{align}\]
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,
\[\begin{align}
  & {}^{9}{{C}_{3}}=\dfrac{9\times 8\times 7}{3\times 2\times 1} \\
 & {}^{9}{{C}_{3}}=84 \\
\end{align}\]
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.