In A Box There Are 12 Pairs Of White And 12 Pairs Black Socks; How Many Times Can One Pick Up Right Combinations Of Socks Without Knowing What Type Of Socks He Is Picking Up?

Do you mean, how many times can you pick the right colours to go with your outfit?

It kind of depends on what you're wearing. And even then, there are times when one white sock and one black sock would exactly right with a particular outfit. Plus style comes into it, knee-hi sox? Trainers? Nylons? Hiking or school socks?

I imagine you're more interested in picking matching socks. Now, if the socks are kept in pairs, wrapped together (I think this is how most people keep their socks), then any single choice you make will result in one matching pair.

But we have a third scenario, there are 24 identical single socks in a drawer, except that 12 are white, 12 are black. What are the odds, if you pull two out at random, that you will get two of the same colour?

I would say, it rests on the odds of getting a match to the first sock.

We know that the odds of getting either colour are 50-50 on the first draw.

The odds of getting the same colour on the second draw, assuming we don't replace the first sock, are 11/23. Or 48%. Or, 48 times out of a 100 (assuming replacement of the socks after each attempt), you'll end up with matching socks. It's 50-50 whether they'll both be black or white.

If only black socks are the "right combination" for your sartorial sensitivities, then only 24% of the time will you get them.

Add Comment

View Comments [1]

Report