Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This is a conditional probability problem that can be solved using Bayes' Theorem. We have two possible sources for a letter, and we are given some evidence (observing 'AN' on the envelope). We need to find the probability of one source given this evidence.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Let's define the events:
$E_1$: The letter is from KANPUR.
$E_2$: The letter is from ANANTPUR.
$A$: The event that two consecutive letters 'AN' are visible on the envelope.
We want to find $P(E_2 | A)$.
Bayes' Theorem states:
\[ P(E_2 | A) = \frac{P(A | E_2) P(E_2)}{P(A | E_1) P(E_1) + P(A | E_2) P(E_2)} \]
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
First, we determine the prior probabilities. Since the letter could be from either place, it's reasonable to assume they are equally likely.
\[ P(E_1) = P(E_2) = \frac{1}{2} \]
Next, we calculate the conditional probabilities of observing 'AN' given the source.
For KANPUR ($E_1$):
The word is KANPUR. The possible pairs of consecutive letters are:
KA, AN, NP, PU, UR.
There are a total of 5 pairs of consecutive letters.
The pair 'AN' appears 1 time.
So, the probability of observing 'AN' given the letter is from KANPUR is:
\[ P(A | E_1) = \frac{\text{Number of 'AN' pairs}}{\text{Total number of pairs}} = \frac{1}{5} \]
For ANANTPUR ($E_2$):
The word is ANANTPUR. The possible pairs of consecutive letters are:
AN, NA, AN, NT, TP, PU, UR.
There are a total of 7 pairs of consecutive letters.
The pair 'AN' appears 2 times.
So, the probability of observing 'AN' given the letter is from ANANTPUR is:
\[ P(A | E_2) = \frac{\text{Number of 'AN' pairs}}{\text{Total number of pairs}} = \frac{2}{7} \]
Now, we apply Bayes' Theorem:
\[ P(E_2 | A) = \frac{P(A | E_2) P(E_2)}{P(A | E_1) P(E_1) + P(A | E_2) P(E_2)} \]
\[ P(E_2 | A) = \frac{\left(\frac{2}{7}\right) \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)}{\left(\frac{1}{5}\right) \left(\frac{1}{2}\right) + \left(\frac{2}{7}\right) \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)} \]
We can cancel the common factor of $1/2$ from the numerator and denominator:
\[ P(E_2 | A) = \frac{\frac{2}{7}}{\frac{1}{5} + \frac{2}{7}} \]
Now, simplify the denominator:
\[ \frac{1}{5} + \frac{2}{7} = \frac{7 \times 1 + 5 \times 2}{5 \times 7} = \frac{7 + 10}{35} = \frac{17}{35} \]
So, the probability is:
\[ P(E_2 | A) = \frac{\frac{2}{7}}{\frac{17}{35}} = \frac{2}{7} \times \frac{35}{17} = 2 \times \frac{5}{17} = \frac{10}{17} \]
Step 4: Final Answer:
The probability that the letter came from ANANTPUR is $\frac{10}{17}$.