A Puzzle With a Prize (6 ST Deadline)
Kwondre — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 13:52
Here is a logic puzzle/riddle. You will not already know the answer, because I just made it up myself. You can however get the answer very quickly if you turn off wow and think =).
First 3 correct responses get a "meaningful" prize in-game. It will be worth the while.
All correct responses after that get a "very very modest" prize in-game. It might not be worth the while.
Please send me all responses in private forum messages. DO NOT post the answer in this forum. DO NOT post clarification questions in the forum. Virtually everything you might need to know is in this post =).
Here is the puzzle / riddle:
- The odds of winning the lottery in New York State are 175,711,536 to 1
- Suppose you buy 175, 711, 535 tickets and all of them are losers.
- Suppose you then buy 1 single ticket for the same drawing.
- Did you win the lottery?
- Why? Why not?
The answer is very very specific, and if you get it you should think "Well Duh" like all good puzzles. "Because its probability" is not a suitable answer.
EDIT: Two hints and one clarification that I've given so far
1: Assume you are a logical being. Which means you're not going into this blind and you actually have a plan (i would hope so if you're buying 175 M + lottery tickets
2: Whether the jackpot is $350 M or $1, the odds of winning are still the same.
Clarification: The one leap of faith you need to make is that SOMEHOW you know that the first batch of lottery tickets you bought is a loser.
Yes but they lead to
cromi — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 15:48Yes but they lead to different outcomes. As mathematics is almost always based in fact and set in stone. philosophy can be based in beliefs and thoughts and there never is a guranteed correct answer because to each person it is different.
Philosophy is in search of
Shihli — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 15:49Philosophy is in search of truth as well. It's not "based in beliefs and thoughts".
You forgot to add in the
cromi — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 15:58You forgot to add in the "can" I'm not saying it is the way people choose but as the truth is different to every person who sees the same thing. Math is set in stone it is a constant that we have based almost all science. Philosophy can be in science and it can be in theology or the search for the meaning of life. It is not saying that philosophy is a made up hoax, but with a reasoned argument in philosophy.
Say you think of war. the thought of war is that I'm going to cripple you in any means possible, If you have 2-1 odds on my soldiers then I must kill your men 2-1 to win the war. That would be a basic mathematical thought. In philosophy though I would have to say I need to kill your men 3-1 so that I have people to help me rule a conquered nation or control my own. The philosophy of Ghandi I think is a good showing of the differences in math and philosophy.
There is a stark difference
Dufe — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 16:43There is a stark difference between the common use of the term philosophy and the formal study of the subject. The formal study is rooted VERY heavily in math/logic as a means of critically evaluating assertions of truth.
there are philosophical
Kwondre — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 17:12there are philosophical theories just like there are mathematical theories...
There are philosophical proofs just like there are mathematical proofs
Philosophical proofs require mathematical tools
Its 6:20
Ewiges — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 18:20Its 6:20
Exactly what he said. I took
Shihli — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 16:57Exactly what he said. I took only a single honors course of Philosophy in college so I'm no expert, but the whole "I'm thinking about a subject" angle that people think Philosophy is ... is not what it is at all.
ok...responses flowing, not a
Kwondre — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 14:24ok...responses flowing, not a single correct one.
Another hint: Whether the "pot" is $350 Million or $1, the odds of winning are STILL 1 out of 175, 711, 536. Those odds are NOT made up numbers.
You guys can keep pst'ing me guesses till you're right or give up. Not a one shot deal.
Hmm do I need to know how New
saedo — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 14:17Hmm do I need to know how New York does it's lotteries?
Picking 6 numbers from 1-99? Each ticket assigned is random? Do I get to pick my own numbers?
How NY state does its lottery
Kwondre — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 14:21How NY state does its lottery is on the NYlottery.org website. However, I dont think that information is critical to answering the question - though it might help.
Though I will say the reply to G's post with the Hint: "Assume you are a logical being" is a big one imo.
Your odds on that last ticket
garreth — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 14:03Your odds on that last ticket are STILL 175, 711, 536 to 1. You have exactly the same chance to win the lotter on the first ticket as you do on the "last" ticket. Although you are now down at least $175, 711, 535.
The tickets in a lottery are not like Willy Wonka's tickets: There are not a finite number printed and all you have to do is "collect them all". The odds in a lottery are simply taken from the possible pool of people that could guess numbers / buy randomized tickets. Thus, you cannot "buy up" all the tickets every time and guarantee a win
GOD G..dont post in the
Kwondre — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 14:11GOD G..dont post in the thread!! PST ME!
And no that answer is incorrect (won't say whether on the conclusion or the rationale).
Hint: Assume you are a logical being.
5 minutes in...zero correct
Kwondre — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 13:565 minutes in...zero correct responses =)
Well..
Netti — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 14:14:P
OK this is a fair
Kwondre — Thu, 09/03/2009 - 14:14OK this is a fair clarification needed. The ONE SINGLE leap of faith you need to make is that you know the first 175+ million tickets you bought are all losers.