bonanova Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 (edited) Moe and May went to the beach the other day. While May was setting out food for the picnic, Moe collected a bagful of pretty stones. When he returned, he spread them out on the cloth for Mae to see. Take as many of them as you like, he said, and put them in your bag. While you finish preparing the food I'll fill my bag with more stones. When they returned home, they counted their stones. What is the probability they had an even number of stones between them? [edit] Edited December 12, 2008 by bonanova clarify - total number of stones is even Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 bonanova Posted December 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 You didn't know the answer before you posted this did you? Are you a politician? Let's be nice ... Check the 3rd spoiler two posts up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 the odds are even. npi.they are not even, slightly favoring odd [May's bag]. Moe's bag is 50-50 by assumption. you knew the odd number of stones Moe initially filled his bag with, the 50% of the time his bag initially had an odd number of stones. That's the only thing the odds depend on. What if May doesn't like any of the stones? Wouldn't even numbers now be favored? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 What if May doesn't like any of the stones? Wouldn't even numbers now be favored? Odd+Zero = Odd Even+Zero = Even Since Moe's bag has a 50/50 chance of being odd or even, May taking 0 would result in a 50/50 split, not favor even. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Actually, bonanova, d3k3 is right in a sense. If May picks at LEAST ONE stone (not zero) the odds favor odd. If May could possibly pick zero, the odds favor even. Reasoning: Zero acts as an even number. When added to another number the resulting odd/even is unchanged. This is the same behavior as an even number. Therefore: If May can pick zero: Odd: 0, 1, 2, 3 : 50/50 Even: 0, 1, 2: 33/66 FAVORS EVEN If May can not pick zero: (Our original answer) Odd: 1, 2, 3: 33/66 FAVORS ODD Even: 1, 2, 3, 4: 50/50 So, please clarify whether or not May can choose to take zero stones, as it changes the answer. If she can choose zero stones, the odds favor even. If she can not choose zero stones, the odds favor odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Odd+Zero = Odd Even+Zero = Even Since Moe's bag has a 50/50 chance of being odd or even, May taking 0 would result in a 50/50 split, not favor even. I mean if she has the option of not choosing any... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 I mean if she has the option of not choosing any... Yes, I elaborated this a post above yours (last post of previous page). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 You didn't know the answer before you posted this did you? Are you a politician? This was meant all in jest. I sincerely hope you took no offense, just my lame attempt at a joke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 bonanova Posted December 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 I would rephrase. Take as many of them as you like, he said, and put them in your bag. Take some: as many as you like, he said, and put them in your bag. Then rely on existential import of "some" to mean she took at least one stone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 bonanova Posted December 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 This was meant all in jest. I sincerely hope you took no offense, just my lame attempt at a joke Of course not. You're allowed to jest. I do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 After taking in all the facts and nailing down all assumptions I have reached my conclusion That Moe and Mae have some rocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Question
bonanova
Moe and May went to the beach the other day.
While May was setting out food for the picnic, Moe collected a bagful of pretty stones.
When he returned, he spread them out on the cloth for Mae to see.
Take as many of them as you like, he said, and put them in your bag.
While you finish preparing the food I'll fill my bag with more stones.
When they returned home, they counted their stones.
What is the probability they had an even number of stones between them? [edit]
Edited by bonanovaclarify - total number of stones is even
Link to comment
Share on other sites
35 answers to this question
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.