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Calculating N choose M probability with cards

Calculating the probability of picking N of a suit from a set of cards

This math skill involves calculating the probability of drawing a specific number of cards of the same suit from a hand of cards. It uses the concept of combinations to determine the desired outcomes and total outcomes, then computes the probability by dividing these values.

Learn calculating N choose M probability with cards

Teaching Transcript

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What is the probability of picking 2 hearts from this hand of 8 cards?

Probability is the count of outcomes we desire, divided by the count of total outcomes. So that's the number of ways to pick 2 hearts out of 4, divided by the number of ways to pick any 2 cards from 8.

2 hearts out of 4 is expressed as 4 choose 2. 2 cards out of 8 is expressed as 8 choose 2. So our probability will be 4 choose 2, divided by 8 choose 2

Which is 6 over 28, or 3 over 14.