In a horse race, a particular bet is won if you selected the two horses that finish first and second, and they can be selected in any order. A certa winning this bet if you randomly select the horses? The possibility of winning this bet when randomly selecting the horses is (Round to five decimal places as needed.)

In a horse race with, let’s say, 10 horses participating, the total number of ways to finish the race can be calculated with combinations. To win your bet, you need to choose 2 out of the 10 horses, which can finish in 2! (2 factorial) ways. So, the number of favorable outcomes is 10 choose 2, multiplied by 2, giving you a win probability of \( \frac{90}{90} = 0.1 \). This translates to the likelihood of 0.1 or 10%, which, when rounded to five decimal places, is 0.10000. For a fun fact, some horse racing enthusiasts use 'form guides' to analyze horse statistics, which can significantly improve their chances of picking the right contenders. These guides include details about previous performances, track conditions, and even jockey experience! So next time you’re at the races, remember: knowledge really is power! When betting on horses, one common mistake is not considering the race conditions, such as weather or track type. For example, a horse that performs well on firmer ground might struggle in the mud. Always check the conditions and apply some strategic thinking—it's not all luck! This increases your odds of winning while making the races more exciting.