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# Please help!

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Regions A, B, C, J and K represent ponds. Logs leave pond A and float down flumes (represented by arrows) to eventually end up in pond B or pond C. On leaving a pond, the logs are equally likely to use any available exit flume. Logs can only float in the direction the arrow is pointing. What is the probability that a log in pond A will end up in pond B? Express your answer as a common fraction.

https://latex.artofproblemsolving.com/2/c/1/2c1f4f7a4e433f0ee54fcd4bffd19c4de571a8be.png

All help would be greatly apreciated!

Thank you if you can help!

May 21, 2020

### 1+0 Answers

#1
+24949
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Regions A, B, C, J and K represent ponds.

Logs leave pond A and float down flumes (represented by arrows) to eventually end up in pond B or pond C.

On leaving a pond, the logs are equally likely to use any available exit flume.

Logs can only float in the direction the arrow is pointing.

What is the probability that a log in pond A will end up in pond B?

Express your answer as a common fraction.

$$\begin{array}{|rcll|} \hline \mathbf{C} &=& \mathbf{(AJ-JC) + (AJ-CJ) + (AK-KC) + AC} \\\\ C &=& \left(\dfrac{1}{3}*\dfrac{1}{3}\right) +\left(\dfrac{1}{3}*\dfrac{1}{3}\right) + \left(\dfrac{1}{3}*\dfrac{1}{2}\right) + \dfrac{1}{3} \\\\ C &=& \dfrac{1}{9} + \dfrac{1}{9} + \dfrac{1}{6} + \dfrac{1}{3} \\\\ C &=& \dfrac{2}{9} + \dfrac{1}{6} + \dfrac{1}{3} \\\\ C &=& \dfrac{2}{9} + \dfrac{1}{6} + \dfrac{3}{9} \\\\ C &=& \dfrac{5}{9} + \dfrac{1}{6} \\\\ C &=& \dfrac{5*6+1*9}{9*6} \\\\ C &=& \dfrac{39}{54} \\\\ \mathbf{C} &=& \mathbf{\dfrac{13}{18}} \\ \hline \end{array} \begin{array}{|rcll|} \hline \mathbf{B} &=& \mathbf{(AJ-JB) + (AK-KB)} \\\\ B &=& \left(\dfrac{1}{3}*\dfrac{1}{3}\right) + \left(\dfrac{1}{3}*\dfrac{1}{2}\right) \\\\ B &=& \dfrac{1}{9} + \dfrac{1}{6} \\\\ B &=& \dfrac{6+9}{9*6} \\\\ B &=& \dfrac{15}{54} \\\\ \mathbf{B} &=& \mathbf{\dfrac{5}{18}} \\ \hline \end{array}$$

May 22, 2020