mathlete
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The question:
"Two men start out together at the origin, each having a 1/2 chance of making a step to the left or right along the x-axis. Find the probability that they meet again after N steps."
It then says it may help to consider their relative position but I don't see how that would help.
The probability for one person is Wn(n1) = N!/[(n1!)(N-n1)!]*p^n1*q^(N-n1)
where N is total steps, n1 is steps to the right, p = q = 1/2 (for this problem). I just don't know how to combine/adjust it for two people.
Also, I'm not sure, but would this involve an integral from 0 to N steps at some point (to cover all cases)?
"Two men start out together at the origin, each having a 1/2 chance of making a step to the left or right along the x-axis. Find the probability that they meet again after N steps."
It then says it may help to consider their relative position but I don't see how that would help.
The probability for one person is Wn(n1) = N!/[(n1!)(N-n1)!]*p^n1*q^(N-n1)
where N is total steps, n1 is steps to the right, p = q = 1/2 (for this problem). I just don't know how to combine/adjust it for two people.
Also, I'm not sure, but would this involve an integral from 0 to N steps at some point (to cover all cases)?