Brain Teasers
Sock Drawer
Probability
Probability puzzles require you to weigh all the possibilities and pick the most likely outcome.Probability
There are 10 socks of each of the following colors in a drawer: blue, green, red, yellow & white, for a total of 50 socks. If the socks are randomly distributed in the drawer (i.e. not in pairs or any other grouping), and you are blindfolded, what is the minimum number socks you must draw from the drawer in order to be certain you have at least 2 socks of the same color?
If you are in the same situation as in the preceding problem, how many socks must you draw from the drawer in order to be certain you have at least 2 socks of different colors?
If you are in the same situation as in the preceding problem, how many socks must you draw from the drawer in order to be certain you have at least 2 socks of different colors?
Answer
The answer for the first part is 6 socks and the answer for the second part is 11.Hide Answer Show Answer
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