Question

Dobby the house-elf has dropped all his socks on the floor in the middle of the night! He has 30 red socks, 22 gold socks and 14 black socks. How many socks would he have to pick up before getting a matching pair?

Answer 1

When we add 30,20 and 14 we get 66
So there are total 66 socks on the floor and the chance from these socks of picking up red socks is 30 in 66 which is equal to a chance of 45%
and when one red sock is picked up the change would be 29 in 65 of a red sock which is equal to 44%

So the answer would be 45% or 30 socks.

Answer 2

Solution:-

Dobby has three different types of socks. First type is of red colour, second type is of golden colour and the third type is of black colour. The first, second and third socks that he picks, may be of three different colours but the fourth one that he picks, will definitely match with one of the socks that he has already picked up.

So, he has to pick up atleast 4 socks before getting a matching pair.