Probability of getting arithmetic sequence from 3 octahedron dice

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the probability of obtaining an arithmetic sequence from the outcomes of rolling three octahedron dice. The original poster presents a list of possible sequences and calculates a probability, which differs from the answer key, prompting questions about potential mistakes in their reasoning.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the definition of arithmetic sequences and the conditions under which they can occur with the given dice. There are discussions about the possible values of the difference in the sequence and whether certain sequences qualify as arithmetic or geometric.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively questioning the assumptions made about the sequences and the calculations involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the inclusion of certain cases, such as when the difference is zero, which may affect the overall count of valid sequences.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing debate about the definitions of arithmetic and geometric sequences, particularly concerning the inclusion of zero and the constraints imposed by the octahedron dice, which only allow values from 1 to 8.

songoku
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Homework Statement
Please see below
Relevant Equations
Probability

Arithmetic Sequence
1652863968883.png

I try to list all the possible sequences:
1 2 3
1 3 5
1 4 7
2 3 4
2 4 6
2 5 8
3 4 5
3 5 7
4 5 6
4 6 8
5 6 7
6 7 8

I get 12 possible outcomes, so the probability is ##\frac{12 \times 3!}{8^3}=\frac{9}{64}##

But the answer key is ##\frac{5}{32}## . Where is my mistake? Thanks
 
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songoku said:
Homework Statement:: Please see below
Relevant Equations:: Probability

Arithmetic Sequence

Where is my mistake?
In the sequence a, a+b, a+2b, what are all the possible values of b?
 
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haruspex said:
In the sequence a, a+b, a+2b, what are all the possible values of b?
I think for this case the difference should be positive integer so b can be 1, 2, or 3
 
songoku said:
I think for this case the difference should be positive integer so b can be 1, 2, or 3
I disagree. 1, 1, 1 is a perfectly good arithmetic sequence.
 
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I know I ll spoil abit the solution but in order to be a bit more formal and since the dice is 8-ply it will have to be $$1\leq a+2b\leq8\Rightarrow \frac{1-a}{2}\leq b\leq \frac{8-a}{2}$$ and ofc $$b\geq 0$$.
 
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Anyway I think you did find the b correctly, except you didn't took the case b=0 (and tbh I myself didn't think of that). If you add the 8 cases (a,a,a) ,a=1...8 to your result, you get the answer key.
 
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haruspex said:
I disagree. 1, 1, 1 is a perfectly good arithmetic sequence.
Delta2 said:
I know I ll spoil abit the solution but in order to be a bit more formal and since the dice is 8-ply it will have to be $$1\leq a+2b\leq8\Rightarrow \frac{1-a}{2}\leq b\leq \frac{8-a}{2}$$ and ofc $$b\geq 0$$.
Is 1, 1, 1 can also be called geometric sequence?
 
songoku said:
Is 1, 1, 1 can also be called geometric sequence?
Yes it is arithmetic sequence with ##\omega=0## and geometric sequence with ##\omega=1##.
 
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Delta2 said:
Yes it is arithmetic sequence with ##\omega=0## and geometric sequence with ##\omega=1##.
How about 0, 0, 0? Can that also be called both arithmetic and geometric sequence?
 
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I think yes but why are you asking these questions...
 
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  • #11
0 isn't a possible number from the dice.
 
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  • #12
Delta2 said:
I think yes but why are you asking these questions...
I just want to know so if I do other questions I know which one I can consider as arithmetic or geometric sequence.

Thank you very much for the help and explanation haruspex and Delta2
 
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