Another question...

[mathwhizwannabe]

A SYZYGY is a nearly straight-line configuration of three celestial bodies such as the Earth, Moon, and Sun during an eclipse.

a. How many different 6-letter arrangements can be made using the letters in the word SYZYGY?

b. Find the probability that the first letter in an arrangement of SYZYGY is
(1) G
(2) Y
(3) a vowel

My answers:

a. 720
b. (1) 1/6
(2) 1/2
(3) 1/2

Am I right?

 

[Gene]

a) The three Y's are interchangable so it is
6!/(3!*1!*1!*1!)=120
b1) yup
b2) yup
b3) I'm not sure Y is a vowel in that word.

vowel: a speech sound in which the air passes in a continuous stream through the open mouth.

Besides, you couldn't buy it on Wheel of Fortune. I'd vote for one (the last one) but I'm a mathmatician not a gramarian. :twisted:

 

[Gene]

I've been bothered by b3. Scratch my answer and stick with yours or zero since when you permute them you don't keep track of which was that last one. If you don't mind, would you report back with what the official answer is. (It seems that it would not be 1/2 'cause that would make it the same question as b2. Today I like zero.)
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Gene