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Five cards numbered 1 to 5 are shuffled and laid out in a row in positions numbered 1 to 5. What is the probability that no card lands in the position matching its own number?

Competition practiceData & Probability
  • A11/30
  • B19/30
  • C1/5
  • D1/120

Step-by-Step Solution

It is far easier to count the arrangements that DO have at least one match, by inclusion–exclusion: C(5,1)4! − C(5,2)3! + C(5,3)2! − C(5,4)1! + C(5,5)0! = 120 − 60 + 20 − 5 + 1 = 76. Of the 5! = 120 arrangements that leaves 120 − 76 = 44 with no match at all, a probability of 44/120 = 11/30. The value 19/30 = 76/120 is the probability of at least one match.
Answer: A) 11/30

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