A combination lock has numbers from 0 to 30 and takes a three-number combination to open it. If you try all the combinations that have the identical numbers, like 12-12-12 or 7-7-7, what is the probability you will open the lock?
There are 31 possible combinations where all three numbers are identical(e.g. 0-0-0, 1-1-1, 2-2-2,.......,30-30-30).
Total combinations possible for the lock when numbers are from 0 to 30 = 31*31*31
Hence, the probability of opening the lock by trying all the combinations with identical numbers is
=> possible outcomes / total number of outcomes =Â $$\dfrac{31}{31\times\ 31\times\ 31}$$ =Â $$\dfrac{1}{31\times\ 31}$$
=>Â $$\dfrac{1}{961}$$Â
The answer is option A.
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