Question

Abe, Bob, Carl, Dan and Earl are going to stand in line for a photo. What is the probability that the boys will stand in alphabetical order from left to right in the picture

Answer 1

0.0083 = 0.83% probability that the boys will stand in alphabetical order from left to right in the picture

Explanation:

Probability:

A probability is given by the number of desired outcomes divided by the number of total outcomes.

Arrangments of x elements:

The total number of arrangments of x elements is given by:

`A_(x) = x!`

Desired outcomes:

Standing in alphabetical order, so only 1 possible outcome, which means that
`D = 1`

Total outcomes:

Arrangments of 5 people, so

`T = A_(5) = 5! = 120`

Probability:

`p = (D)/(T) = (1)/(120) = 0.0083`

0.0083 = 0.83% probability that the boys will stand in alphabetical order from left to right in the picture