Answer:
2/255
Explanation:
In total, there are 18 books on the shelf.
The probability that person A will pick a novel is 6/18 = 1/3
There are now 5 novels and 17 total books on the shelf
The probability that person A then picks a mystery is 4/17.
There are now 3 mysteries and 16 total books on the shelf.
The probability that person B then picks a mystery is 3/16.
There are now 2 mysteries and 15 total books on the shelf.
The probability that person B then picks a poetry book is 8/15.
The probability that all these events occur back to back is the product of their individual probabilities. Therefore, the probability is:
1/3 * 4/17 * 3/16 * 8/15 = 2/255