Difference between revisions of "2009 AIME II Problems/Problem 8"
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With probability <math>\frac 1{36}</math>, both throw a six and we win. | With probability <math>\frac 1{36}</math>, both throw a six and we win. | ||
− | With probability <math>\frac{10}{36}</math> exactly one of them throws a six. In this case, we win | + | With probability <math>\frac{10}{36}</math> exactly one of them throws a six. In this case, we win if the remaining player throws a six in their next throw, which happens with probability <math>\frac 16</math>. |
Finally, with probability <math>\frac{25}{36}</math> none of them throws a six. Now comes the crucial observation: At this moment, we are in exactly the same situation as in the beginning. Hence in this case we will win with probability <math>p</math>. | Finally, with probability <math>\frac{25}{36}</math> none of them throws a six. Now comes the crucial observation: At this moment, we are in exactly the same situation as in the beginning. Hence in this case we will win with probability <math>p</math>. | ||
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Solving for <math>p</math>, we get <math>p=\frac 8{33}</math>, hence the answer is <math>8+33 = \boxed{041}</math>. | Solving for <math>p</math>, we get <math>p=\frac 8{33}</math>, hence the answer is <math>8+33 = \boxed{041}</math>. | ||
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== See Also == | == See Also == |
Revision as of 19:09, 31 May 2020
Problem
Dave rolls a fair six-sided die until a six appears for the first time. Independently, Linda rolls a fair six-sided die until a six appears for the first time. Let and
be relatively prime positive integers such that
is the probability that the number of times Dave rolls his die is equal to or within one of the number of times Linda rolls her die. Find
.
Solution
Solution 1
There are many almost equivalent approaches that lead to summing a geometric series. For example, we can compute the probability of the opposite event. Let be the probability that Dave will make at least two more throws than Linda. Obviously,
is then also the probability that Linda will make at least two more throws than Dave, and our answer will therefore be
.
How to compute ?
Suppose that Linda made exactly throws. The probability that this happens is
, as she must make
unsuccessful throws followed by a successful one. In this case, we need Dave to make at least
throws. This happens iff his first
throws are unsuccessful, hence the probability is
.
Thus for a fixed the probability that Linda makes
throws and Dave at least
throws is
.
Then, as the events for different are disjoint,
is simply the sum of these probabilities over all
. Hence:
Hence the probability we were supposed to compute is , and the answer is
.
Solution 2
Let be the probability that the number of times Dave rolls his die is equal to or within one of the number of times Linda rolls her die. (We will call this event "a win", and the opposite event will be "a loss".)
Let both players roll their first die.
With probability , both throw a six and we win.
With probability exactly one of them throws a six. In this case, we win if the remaining player throws a six in their next throw, which happens with probability
.
Finally, with probability none of them throws a six. Now comes the crucial observation: At this moment, we are in exactly the same situation as in the beginning. Hence in this case we will win with probability
.
We just derived the following linear equation:
Solving for , we get
, hence the answer is
.
See Also
2009 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 7 |
Followed by Problem 9 | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 | ||
All AIME Problems and Solutions |
The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.