A museum worker randomly displays 6 historical writings in a row. What is the probability that she lines them up from the oldest to the most recent from left to right?

Question

Julia Adams · Accepted Answer

The probability is #1# in #720# or #1/720#.

There is only one combination in which she lines them all correctly in chronological order. Hence, we have to find the number of possible outcomes, #"Number of possible outcomes"=""_6P_6 =(6!)/((6-6)!)=720# #"Probability"="number of favourable outcomes"/"number of possible outcomes"=1/720#

Jameson Allen · Answer

undefined The probability of lining up the historical writings from oldest to most recent is 1 out of the total number of possible arrangements. Since there is only one specific arrangement where the writings are in chronological order, the probability is 1 divided by the total number of arrangements.

To find the total number of arrangements, we use the formula for permutations of n objects taken r at a time:

Total arrangements = n!

Where n is the total number of historical writings (6 in this case).

So, the total number of arrangements = 6!.

Now, we calculate:

6! = 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 720

Therefore, the probability of lining up the historical writings from oldest to most recent is:

Probability = 1 / Total arrangements = 1 / 720 ≈ 0.00139

So, the probability is approximately 0.00139 or 0.139%.