math pro soutnament question - Science, Math and Philosophy Forum

Two Plus Two Forums Other Topics Science, Math, and Philosophy

math pro soutnament question

Post Reply Subscribe

...

10-27-2010 , 10:27 PM

zenct

banned

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 60

Hi, I am trying to figure out the odds of these scenarios both involve a 400 person tournament slot tournament that involve 3 rounds of play for all partisipants (no skill ,100% random odds):

1) finishing in top 5 in all 3 rounds.

2) finishing in top 10 in all 3 rounds.

"give me liberty or give me aged stincky low fat swiss cheese"

Quote

10-27-2010 , 11:16 PM

stinkypete

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,783

(5/400)^3

(10/400)^3

Quote

10-28-2010 , 12:42 AM

atakdog

addicted

Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 50,136

That's the answer if the question is whether a single person, selected before the tournaments begins, will finish top 5 (or top 10) all three rounds.

If, on the other hand, you're asking what the chances are that at least one person does it, that's different, and slightly harder — for the top 5 problem it's (5 x (5/400)² – much smaller terms for two or more people doing it). You can pretty easily figure out the double-counting terms if you think about it.

Quote

10-28-2010 , 07:57 PM

zenct

banned

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 60

hmmm I feel so stupid, time to load up on omega. 1st one was a 500k prize if achieved and 2nd is for 100k in a free invitational, so i deeeclined, can't think of something more painful than playing a slot tournament.

Quote

10-28-2010 , 08:43 PM

stinkypete

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,783

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenct

ev of the first prize is <$1 and the second <$2 so you prob made a good choice

Quote

Post Reply Subscribe

...