Stuck in a relatively easy probability problem, but I can't figure it out!

SOSTrooper

Platinum Member
Dec 27, 2001
2,552
0
76
So the question says a hotel has 10 rooms in a row, and the clerk randomly assigns guests into them. If all rooms are empty, and 2 guests arrive, what are the probability that the 2 guests will be in adjoining rooms?

I'm just totally stuck on this problem so if you guys can explain to me how to approach this problem I'd be appreciated. Thanks!
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
By my calculations there are 18 cases where they are adjacent, and 90 possible room assignments. So 18/90.

I just counted the cases:

1 2
2 3
3 4
...
9 10

and

2 1
3 2
4 3
...
10 9

That's 18.

For the room assignments, there's 10 possible rooms for the first guy and 9 for the second. 9*10.