Mathematics 9709 · AS & A Level · The Poisson distribution

The Poisson distribution — practice question

An aeroplane has $14$ passenger seats. They are laid out as $4$ rows of $3$ seats, with a final back row containing $2$ seats (see diagram). $12$ passengers board the plane.
(a)[2]

How many different seating arrangements are possible for the $12$ passengers? Give your answer correct to $3$ significant figures.

(b)[4]

The $12$ passengers are made up of $2$ married couples (Mr and Mrs Lin and Mr and Mrs Brown), $5$ students and $3$ business people. The $3$ business people are seated in the front row. Each of the $5$ students sits in a window seat. Mr and Mrs Lin sit in the same row on the same side of the aisle. Mr and Mrs Brown sit in a different row on the same side of the aisle. How many possible seating arrangements are there?

(c)[4]

If, instead, the $12$ passengers are seated at random, find the probability that Mrs Lin sits directly behind a student and Mrs Brown sits in the front row.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 10-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Using $^{14}P_{12}$

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