If six students, including two particular students $A$ and $B$, stand in a row, then the probability that…

If six students, including two particular students $A$ and $B$, stand in a row, then the probability that $A$ and $B$ are separated with one student in between them is
  1. $\frac{8}{15}$
  2. $\frac{4}{15}$
  3. $\frac{2}{15}$
  4. $\frac{1}{15}$

Solution

Consider a group of three students $A, B$ and an other student in between $A$ and $B$. Choice for a student between $A$ and $B$ is 4. $A$ and $B$ can interchange their places in the group in 2 ways. Now the group of three students (student $A$, student $B$ and a student in between $A$ and $B$ ) and the remaining 3 students can be stand in a row in 4 ! ways. Hence total number of ways to stand in a row such that $A$ and $B$ are separated with one student in between them $=4 \times 2 \times 4$ ! Now total number of ways to stand 6 student stand in a row without any restriction $=6 !$ Hence required probability $ =\frac{4 \times 2 \times 4 !}{6 !}=\frac{4 \times 2}{6 \times 5}=\frac{4}{15} $

Asked in: JEE Main 2012 (19 May Online)

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