For The Mathematically Inclined

For The Mathematically Inclined

Anil Saigal
06/16/2016

Problem 1

A cloth bag contains a pool ball, which is known to be a solid ball. A second pool ball is chosen at random in such a way that it is equally likely to be a solid or a stripe ball. The ball is added to the bag, the bag is shaken, and a ball is drawn at random. This ball proves to be a solid. What is the probability that the ball remaining in the bag is also a solid?

Problem 2

Suppose N fair 6-sided dice are rolled simultaneously. What is the expected value of the score on the highest valued die?

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Problems from 06/02/16

Problem 1
What comes next in the following sequence:
B, G, L, Q, ...

Solution:
V.

Problem 2
What comes next in the following sequence:
AC, GH, MM, SR, ...

Solution:
YW.

Congratulations to Avani Bhargava, Avanish Gowrishankar, Amit Lele and RK Sambangi, who were the winners of the last set of puzzles.

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