Odds of picking 3 letters from 26

LeeUK · 9 Jan 2016 at 22:28

Anyone know the answer?

Raymond Lin · 9 Jan 2016 at 22:29

3/26 * 2/25 * 1/24 ?

Purdy · 9 Jan 2016 at 22:31

Can't pick three letters from two numbers

muon · 9 Jan 2016 at 22:31

100% if you are going to pick 3 letters from the alphabet.

I guess you could have a heart attack while picking and so fail to do so.

We need more information to calculate your real query.

DaleTheWhale · 9 Jan 2016 at 22:31

0.00038% - I think.

LeeUK · 9 Jan 2016 at 22:46

Its like a lottery the local CIU Clurb run. You pick 3 letters and if those 3 letters are drawn you win the loot. Obviously it is shared if someone else also has those 3 letters.

HangTime · 9 Jan 2016 at 22:55

Still need more info. Can each letter only be used once or is e.g. AAA a valid combination?

LeeUK · 9 Jan 2016 at 23:17

Each number once but can be in any order. E.g you pick ABC and BAC is drawn then you win.

muon · 9 Jan 2016 at 23:19

LeeUK said:
Each number once but can be in any order. E.g you pick ABC and BAC is drawn then you win.

In which case Post 2 is correct.

cainer · 9 Jan 2016 at 23:28

15,600 / 1

LeeUK · 9 Jan 2016 at 23:29

1 in 24 cool odds :cool:

cadmunkey · 9 Jan 2016 at 23:43

LeeUK said:
1 in 24 cool odds

???

C.R.A.Z.Y · 10 Jan 2016 at 01:24

**EDIT**
1 in 2,600

Thekwango · 10 Jan 2016 at 01:28

I'm pretty sure the odds of picking 3 letter from 26 is 100%. you list me 26 letters and I have to pick 3 of those, then I will, i'll pick 3 of those letters.....unless I'm special and pick the 27 letter!

dowie · 10 Jan 2016 at 01:31

Raymond Lin said:
3/26 * 2/25 * 1/24 ?

this

C.R.A.Z.Y · 10 Jan 2016 at 01:35

Actually isn't it 1 in 2,600 if the order doesn't matter?

dowie · 10 Jan 2016 at 01:36

C.R.A.Z.Y said:
Actually isn't it 1 in 2,600 if the order doesn't matter?

yes, this was answered in the first reply to the thread

C.R.A.Z.Y · 10 Jan 2016 at 01:41

dowie said:
yes, this was answered in the first reply to the thread

Not in that form it wasn't smart ass, the workings was described but not the actual odds :rolleyes:

dowie · 10 Jan 2016 at 01:45

C.R.A.Z.Y said:
Not in that form it wasn't smart ass, the workings was described but not the actual odds

LOL, because it is hard to multiply three fractions when you're sitting at a computer?

(The workings are rather more helpful to the OP than just stating the answer.)

C.R.A.Z.Y · 10 Jan 2016 at 01:50

No one else seem to be bothered to do it and considering his actual question was:

Odds of picking 3 letters from 26

and it appears he wants to know his chance of winning something so considering his asking the question in the first place perhaps Maths isn't his greatest subject and the actual odds would be more helpful and easier to understand than the workings!!