Second Scenario: Probability the 999th Passenger Sits in Their Own Seat (Seat 999)
Objective:
Determine the probability that Passenger 999 sits in seat 999.
Solution:
This scenario is a slight variation and requires a nuanced approach. Here's how to analyse it:
Passenger 1's Choice:
Seat 1: If Passenger 1 sits in Seat 1, all passengers can sit in their assigned seats. Thus, Passenger 999 will definitely sit in Seat 999.
Seat 999: If Passenger 1 sits directly in Seat 999, Passenger 999 cannot sit in their own seat.
Seat 1000: If Passenger 1 sits in Seat 1000, this affects Passenger 1000 directly, but indirectly affects Passenger 999 based on subsequent choices.
Any Other Seat (Seats 2 to 998): Initiates a chain reaction similar to the first scenario.
Key Observations:
The problem can be reduced to considering the remaining crucial seats: Seat 1, Seat 999, and Seat 1000.
The chain of displaced passengers will eventually lead to one of these seats being chosen by a displaced passenger.
Possible Critical Outcomes:
Seat 1 is chosen: All passengers after can sit in their assigned seats.
Seat 999 is chosen: Passenger 999 doesn't get their seat.
Seat 1000 is chosen: Passenger 1000 doesn't get their seat, but Passenger 999 may still sit in Seat 999 depending on the sequence.
Probability Calculation:
Total Critical Seats: 3 (Seat 1, Seat 999, Seat 1000)
Since Passenger 1 chooses randomly, each of these seats is equally likely to be the last affected seat.
Favourable Outcomes for Passenger 999:
If the final seat conflict is between Seat 1 and Seat 999, Passenger 999 sits in their seat.
If Seat 1000 is involved, Passenger 999 has a path to sit in their seat depending on who took Seat 1000.
Upon careful analysis, the probabilities stabilize to a 2 out of 3 favourable outcomes.
Generalising the Probability:
For Passenger ( k ) out of ( N ) passengers, where ( k = N - 1 ):
The probability is ( \frac{2}{3} ).
Final Answer:
Probability: ( \frac{2}{3} ) or approximately 66.67%