2008 AMC 10B Problem 22
Problem 22 of 25HarderCounting & Probability
Three red beads, two white beads, and one blue bead are placed in a line in random order. What is the probability that no two neighboring beads are the same color?
Answer choices
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Solution
There are distinguishable orderings. The three reds must occupy non-adjacent positions, and the possible red placements are and
For and the remaining seats are mutually non-adjacent, so the blue bead can go in any of the giving For and two remaining seats are adjacent, so the blue must separate the whites, giving
That is valid orderings, so the probability is
Thus, the correct answer is C.