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#4400 11/08/05 02:41 PM
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Fred can't make a decision so he decides to flip a coin. However, he is reluctant to have his fate dependant on a mere flip of a coin (because he is stupid). He decides to flip the coin 10 times and go with the majority. He then starts thinking; which of the two methods would give me a better 50:50 chance?

A. Flip a coin once
B. Flip a coin 10 times
C. It doesn't matter; the chances are equal with both methods

.
#4401 11/09/05 01:48 AM
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Fred needs help.

Smart people do not decide questions by flipping coins; although I like the I-Ching!
jjw

#4402 11/09/05 09:12 AM
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just answer the question, I did mention that he was stupid

#4403 11/14/05 12:24 PM
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what are you afraid of? Someone please answer the question.

#4404 11/14/05 03:01 PM
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A, because in B there is a chance of 63/256 of a tie.

#4405 11/14/05 05:45 PM
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As has been stated, flip the coin an odd number of times to avoid a tie. A collection of N honest 50:50 results will have a statistical error of sqrt(N). 100 flips wll have a 10% error rate. 10,000 flips will have a 1% error rate.

Make a decision based on even or odd. See how many people attended a racetrack that day. There is your answer, such as it is.


Uncle Al
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/
(Toxic URL! Unsafe for children and most mammals)
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/qz3.pdf
#4406 12/14/05 10:05 AM
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thanks! Stupid questions sure get some great answers.


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