SPS SPS FM Statistics 2026 January — Question 8 8 marks

Exam BoardSPS
ModuleSPS FM Statistics (SPS FM Statistics)
Year2026
SessionJanuary
Marks8
TopicPermutations & Arrangements
TypeArrangements with adjacency requirements
DifficultyModerate -0.8 This is a straightforward permutations question testing standard techniques: arrangements with repeated letters (dividing by 3!2! for the Ds and Is), treating adjacent items as a single unit, and basic probability with 'at least one' complementary counting. All parts use direct formula application with no problem-solving insight required, making it easier than average but not trivial due to the multi-part structure.
Spec5.01a Permutations and combinations: evaluate probabilities

8. Each of the 7 letters in the word DIVIDED is printed on a separate card. The cards are arranged in a row.
  1. How many different arrangements of the letters are possible?
  2. In how many of these arrangements are all three Ds together? The 7 cards are now shuffled and 2 cards are selected at random, without replacement.
  3. Find the probability that at least one of these 2 cards has D printed on it.
    [0pt]

8. Each of the 7 letters in the word DIVIDED is printed on a separate card. The cards are arranged in a row.\\
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item How many different arrangements of the letters are possible?
\item In how many of these arrangements are all three Ds together?

The 7 cards are now shuffled and 2 cards are selected at random, without replacement.
\item Find the probability that at least one of these 2 cards has D printed on it.\\[0pt]
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{SPS SPS FM Statistics 2026 Q8 [8]}}