What is the Probability of a Tetrahedron Landing on a Specific Colored Side?

  • MHB
  • Thread starter mathmari
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Tetrahedron
In summary, the conversation discusses a tetrahedron with four sides, each painted a different color. The events A, B, and C represent the tetrahedron falling on a side with red, blue, or green color respectively. The probability space is the set of colors, with each outcome having an equal probability of 1/2. Two of the events, A and B, are shown to be independent while all three events are not independent.
  • #1
mathmari
Gold Member
MHB
5,049
7
Hey! 😊

Let one of the four sides of a tetrahedron be red, one blue, one green and the fourth side painted with all three colours. We consider the following events :
A: = The tetrahedron falls on a side with red colour.
B: = The tetrahedron falls on a side with a blue colour.
C: = The tetrahedron falls on a side with a green colour

Give a suitable probability space and give the events A, B and C as subsets of the result set.
(a) Show that two of the events A, B and C are independent.
(b) Are A, B, C independent? Explain. Does it hold that $P(A)=P(B)=P(C)=\frac{2}{4}$ because there is one side for each colour the the 4th side contains also each colour?
The probability space is the set of colours, or not?

:unsure:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
mathmari said:
Does it hold that $P(A)=P(B)=P(C)=\frac{2}{4}$ because there is one side for each colour the the 4th side contains also each colour?
The probability space is the set of colours, or not?
Hey mathmari!

I believe the probabilities are indeed $\frac 24$ each. (Nod)

A probability space is supposed to be a triplet of a sample space, an event space, and a probability function.
You only mentioned the sample space. (Worried)

Either way, I think that the outcome space must contain each of the sides. We only have 3 colors but 4 sides... (Worried)
We could pick for instance $\Omega=\{red,green,blue,all\}$. 🤔
 
  • #3
Klaas van Aarsen said:
I believe the probabilities are indeed $\frac 24$ each. (Nod)

A probability space is supposed to be a triplet of a sample space, an event space, and a probability function.
You only mentioned the sample space. (Worried)

Either way, I think that the outcome space must contain each of the sides. We only have 3 colors but 4 sides... (Worried)
We could pick for instance $\Omega=\{red,green,blue,all\}$. 🤔

So the probability space consists of the outcome space $\Omega=\{red,green,blue,all\}$ and each outcome has the same probability $\frac{2}{4}=\frac{1}{2}$, right? :unsure:

We have that \begin{align*}&A = \{red, \ all\}\subseteq \Omega \\ &B = \{blue, \ all\}\subseteq \Omega\\ &C = \{green, \ all\}\subseteq \Omega\end{align*}

(a) We have that $A\cap B = A\cap C=B\cap C=\{all\}$ so we get that \begin{align*}&P(A)=\frac{1}{2} \\ &P(B)=\frac{1}{2} \\ &P(C)=\frac{1}{2} \\ &P(A\cap B) = \frac{1}{4} \\ &P(A\cap C)= \frac{1}{4} \\ &P(B\cap C)= \frac{1}{4} \\ & \Rightarrow P(A)\cdot P(B)=\frac{1}{2}\cdot \frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{4}=P(A\cap B) \\ & \Rightarrow P(A)\cdot P(C)=\frac{1}{2}\cdot \frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{4}=P(A\cap C) \\ & \Rightarrow P(B)\cdot P(C)=\frac{1}{2}\cdot \frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{4}=P(B\cap C)\end{align*} That means that each two of the events $A$, $B$ and $C$ are independent. (b) We have that $A\cap B \cap C=\{all\}$ so we get that \begin{align*}&P(A)=\frac{1}{2} \\ &P(B)=\frac{1}{2} \\ &P(C)=\frac{1}{2} \\ &P(A\cap B\cap C) = \frac{1}{4} \\ & \Rightarrow P(A)\cdot P(B)\cdot P(C)=\frac{1}{2}\cdot \frac{1}{2}\cdot \frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{8}\neq \frac{1}{4}=P(A\cap B\cap C) \end{align*} That means that the events $A$, $B$ and $C$ are not independent. Is everything correct and complete? :unsure:
 
  • #4
All correct and complete. (Sun)
 

1. What is the significance of the colours on the sides of a tetrahedron?

The colours on the sides of a tetrahedron represent the different faces or surfaces of the three-dimensional shape. Each colour indicates a unique side of the tetrahedron, and can help with identifying and distinguishing between different orientations of the shape.

2. How many different colours can be seen on a tetrahedron?

A tetrahedron has four sides, so there can be a maximum of four different colours visible on its surface. However, if two or more sides are the same colour, then the number of unique colours will be less than four.

3. Are the colours on a tetrahedron random or do they follow a pattern?

The colours on a tetrahedron are not random, but rather follow a specific pattern. Each side of the tetrahedron is connected to other sides in a specific way, and this determines the colour pattern. For example, a common pattern is alternating colours on each side.

4. Can the colours on a tetrahedron change?

The colours on a tetrahedron can change if the orientation of the shape is altered. For example, if the tetrahedron is rotated, the colours on the sides may appear to change. However, the actual colours on the sides themselves do not change.

5. Do the colours on a tetrahedron have any scientific significance?

The colours on a tetrahedron do not have any specific scientific significance, but they can be used in mathematical and scientific studies to help with visualizing and understanding three-dimensional shapes and their orientations. They can also be used in art and design to create visually appealing patterns and structures.

Similar threads

  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
6
Views
862
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
5
Views
771
Replies
4
Views
914
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
18
Views
897
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
10
Views
819
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
908
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
4
Views
1K
Back
Top