Find the probablity - a bag containing 5 pairs of socks
Source: IMO LongList 1979 - P4
September 15, 2010
probabilitycombinatoricscountingIMO ShortlistIMO Longlist
Problem Statement
From a bag containing 5 pairs of socks, each pair a different color, a random sample of 4 single socks is drawn. Any complete pairs in the sample are discarded and replaced by a new pair draw from the bag. The process continues until the bag is empty or there are 4 socks of different colors held outside the bag. What is the probability of the latter alternative?