Difference between revisions of "2009 AIME I Problems/Problem 3"

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<cmath>p = \frac {5} {6}</cmath>
 
<cmath>p = \frac {5} {6}</cmath>
 
<cmath>5 + 6 = \boxed{11}</cmath>
 
<cmath>5 + 6 = \boxed{11}</cmath>
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== See also ==
 +
{{AIME box|year=2009|n=I|num-b=2|num-a=4}}

Revision as of 19:47, 19 March 2009

Problem

A coin that comes up heads with probability $p > 0$ and tails with probability $1 - p > 0$ independently on each flip is flipped eight times. Suppose the probability of three heads and five tails is equal to $\frac {1}{25}$ of the probability of five heads and three tails. Let $p = \frac {m}{n}$, where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m + n$.

Solution

If we let the odds of a tails $(1-p)$ equal $t$, then the probability of three heads and five tails is ${p^3}{t^5}$ The probability of five heads and three tails is ${p^5}{t^3}$

\[25{p^3}{t^5} = {p^5}{t^3}\] \[25{t^2} = {p^2}\] \[5t = p\] \[5(1 - p) = p\] \[5 - 5p = p\] \[5 = 6p\] \[p = \frac {5} {6}\] \[5 + 6 = \boxed{11}\]

See also

2009 AIME I (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 2
Followed by
Problem 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions