Art of Problem Solving
AoPS Online
Math texts, online classes, and more
for students in grades 5-12.
Visit AoPS Online ‚
Books for Grades 5-12 Online Courses
Beast Academy
Engaging math books and online learning
for students ages 6-13.
Visit Beast Academy ‚
Books for Ages 6-13 Beast Academy Online
AoPS Academy
Small live classes for advanced math
and language arts learners in grades 2-12.
Visit AoPS Academy ‚
Find a Physical Campus Visit the Virtual Campus

2007 iTest Problems/Problem 59

Revision as of 03:52, 8 October 2014 by Timneh (talk | contribs) (Created page with "== Problem == Let <math>T=\text{TNFTPP}</math>. Fermi and Feynman play the game <math>\textit{Probabicloneme}</math> in which Fermi wins with probability <math>a/b</math>, where ...")
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Problem

Let $T=\text{TNFTPP}$. Fermi and Feynman play the game $\textit{Probabicloneme}$ in which Fermi wins with probability $a/b$, where $a$ and $b$ are relatively prime positive integers such that $a/b<1/2$. The rest of the time Feynman wins (there are no ties or incomplete games). It takes a negligible amount of time for the two geniuses to play $\textit{Probabicloneme}$ so they play many many times. Assuming they can play infinitely many games (eh, they're in Physicist Heaven, we can bend the rules), the probability that they are ever tied in total wins after they start (they have the same positive win totals) is $(T-332)/(2T-601)$. Find the value of $a$.

Solution

Retrieved from "https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=2007_iTest_Problems/Problem_59&oldid=64631"