Real Life Scenario Probability

Question

On an airplane, there are 2 window seats, 2 aisle seats, and 1 middle seat per row (each row sits 3 people on one side of the aisle and 2 people on the opposite side). Two friends have requested to be seated in the same row. What is the probability that both friends will be assigned to aisle seats?

 

At first, I thought the probability would be (2/5)*(1/4) since there are originally 2 aisle seats out of the 5 and 1 will be taken by the first friend, leaving the chance of getting an aisle seat for the second friend equal to 1/4.

 

But I was informed that the answer is 4.8%, I wondered what mistake I made.

 

Answer 1

If this is probability of obtaining assignment to aisle seats in a single row (only) that is available, then P(2 aisles seats) = (2/5)(1/4) exactly as you have supposed.  Your reasoning seems sound to me.

 

The person who informs you that the answer is 4.8% should be under an obligation to demonstrate his or her reasoning, and to explain why your reasoning is not correct.  Do not simply accept their answer because they're an authority.

All math answers have to be explainable.