2021 Fall AMC 12B Problems/Problem 23

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Problem 23

What is the average number of pairs of consecutive integers in a randomly selected subset of $5$ distinct integers chosen from the set $\{ 1, 2, 3, …, 30\}$? (For example the set $\{1, 17, 18, 19, 30\}$ has $2$ pairs of consecutive integers.)

$\textbf{(A)}\ \frac{2}{3} \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ \frac{29}{36} \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ \frac{5}{6} \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ \frac{29}{30} \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 1$

Solution 1

There are $29$ possible pairs of consecutive integers, namely $\{1,2\}, \{2,3\},\cdots,\{29,30\}$.

The probability that a certain pair of consecutive integers are in the $5$ integer subset is $\frac5{30}$ for the first number being chosen, multiplied by $\frac4{29}$ for the second number being chosen.

Therefore, by linearity of expectation, the expected number of pairs of consecutive integers in the 5-integer subset is \[\frac5{30}\cdot\frac4{29}\cdot29=\boxed{\textbf{(A)}\ \frac{2}{3}}.\]


~kingofpineapplz

See Also

2021 Fall AMC 12A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 22
Followed by
Problem 24
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All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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