[Math] Three couples sit at random in a line of six seats, probability that no couple sits together

combinatoricspermutationsprobability

If three married couples (so 6 people) sit in a row of six seats at random, what is the probability that no couples sit together?

Another way to think about it (couples are AB, CD, and EF)

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Best Answer

Just see how you can have no couples sitting together.

So let's say we have $112233$ that we need to mix up so that no two of the same are next to each other.

Start with two different ones:

$$12$$

The next can be a $1$, and then the rest is forced: $121323$

The next can also be a $3$, and then you have a few options: $123123, 123132, 123213, 123231$

OK, so that's $5$ options, but since the first two can be $12, 21, 13, 31, 23,$ or $32$ you get $6 \cdot5 = 30$ ways for this to happen .... out of $\frac{6!}{2!2!2!}=90$ total ways... giving you a probability of $$\frac{30}{90}=\frac{1}{3}$$