Answer:
a) 230300 ways
b) Check Explanation
Step-by-step explanation:
a) This is a combination problem,
We require how many ways 4 factories be placed among 50 states.
Mathematically, that is
⁵⁰C₄ ways = 230300 ways
b) If you have no idea which states will be chosen, what is the probability that all 4 factories will be located in the mid-Atlantic region.
This can be done in two ways
Method 1
The mid Atlantic region is one of 9 geographic divisions in the US
Probability of 1 factory being located in this geographic region = (1/9)
The probability of the 4 factories being in just this region = (probability of locating one factory in this region)⁴ = (1/9)⁴ = 0.0001524
Method 2
The mid Atlantic region contains only 3 out of 50 states. (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania)
Probability of 1 factory being located in one of the 3 stares = (3/50)
Probability of locating all four factories in one of the states in this region = (3/50)⁴ = 0.00001296.