Probability of an event is p, average attempt until p happens?

In summary, the probability of an event is a measure of the likelihood that the event will occur, expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The relationship between probability and average attempts is known as expected value, representing the average number of attempts needed for the event to occur. The probability of an event cannot be greater than 1, as this would imply certainty. It can be calculated by dividing the number of favorable outcomes by the total possible outcomes. The average attempts does not guarantee that the event will occur, as it is a statistical measure, but the higher the probability, the more likely it is to occur.
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KingNothing
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Say there is a chance p of an event happening each attempt. How many attempts (on average) would it take for this event to occur once?

For example, say the event is a racquetball player hitting a killshot, which he has a 20% chance of doing every shot.

On average, how many shots until he hits a killshot? I remember learning this, but forgot the name.
 
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1. What is the probability of an event occurring?

The probability of an event is a measure of the likelihood that the event will occur. It is expressed as a number between 0 and 1, where 0 indicates impossibility and 1 indicates certainty.

2. How does the probability of an event relate to average attempts?

The relationship between the probability of an event and the average attempts until it occurs is known as the expected value. This value represents the average number of attempts that will be needed for the event to occur.

3. Can the probability of an event be greater than 1?

No, the probability of an event cannot be greater than 1. This would imply that the event is certain to occur, which is not possible. A probability of 1 indicates certainty, while a probability of 0 indicates impossibility.

4. How can the probability of an event be calculated?

The probability of an event can be calculated by dividing the number of favorable outcomes by the total number of possible outcomes. For example, if a coin is flipped, there are two possible outcomes (heads or tails) and the probability of getting heads is 1/2 or 0.5.

5. Does the average attempts until an event occurs always guarantee that the event will happen?

No, the average attempts until an event occurs is a statistical measure and does not guarantee that the event will happen. It is possible for an event to never occur, even after many attempts. However, the higher the probability of an event, the more likely it is to occur.

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