Probability - Playing a Game with Two Fair Spinners

In summary, Jack wins the game with both spinners 50% of the time if he plays it once and 66.7% of the time if he plays it twice.
  • #1
Natasha1
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9

Homework Statement


Jack plays a game with two fair spinners, A and B. Spinner A can land on the number 2 or 3 or 5 or 7

Spinner B can land on the number 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6

Jack spins both spinners.
He wins the game if one spinner lands on an odd number and the other spinner lands on an even number.

Jack plays the game twice.
Work out the probability that Jack wins the game both times

3. The Attempt at a Solution

If you do a probability tree diagram...

I get (1/4 x 2/5) + (3/4x3/5)^3 = 0.191125 That's for the first time he plays.
But then playing twice keeps the same probability, right? If not, why?
 
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  • #2
Natasha1 said:

Homework Statement


Jack plays a game with two fair spinners, A and B. Spinner A can land on the number 2 or 3 or 5 or 7

Spinner B can land on the number 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6

Jack spins both spinners.
He wins the game if one spinner lands on an odd number and the other spinner lands on an even number.

Jack plays the game twice.
Work out the probability that Jack wins the game both times

3. The Attempt at a Solution


If you do a probability tree diagram...

I get (1/4 x 2/5) + (3/4x3/5)^3 = 0.191125 That's for the first time he plays.
But then playing twice keeps the same probability, right? If not, why?

I get a completely different value for the probability of winning in a single round. I don't know why you are multiplying probabilities (as in (3/4 × 3/5)^3).

As to the second question: if he wins on the first round, will that affect the spinners in any way? Would the situation look exactly the same as it did before the first spin?
 
  • #3
Is it just (1/4 x 2/5) x (3/4x3/5) = 0.045
 
  • #4
Natasha1 said:
Is it just (1/4 x 2/5) x (3/4x3/5) = 0.045
No.
P(win) = P(S1 even & S2 odd) + P(S1 odd & S2 even).
 
  • #5
Ray Vickson said:
No.
P(win) = P(S1 even & S2 odd) + P(S1 odd & S2 even).

Ah so (1/4 x 2/5) + (3/4x3/5) = 0.55
 
  • #6
Natasha1 said:
Ah so (1/4 x 2/5) + (3/4x3/5) = 0.55
Yes.
 
  • Like
Likes Natasha1
  • #7
Much appreciated Ray, thanks so much :)
 

1. What is the probability of getting two heads when spinning two fair spinners?

The probability of getting two heads when spinning two fair spinners is 1/4 or 25%. This is because the probability of getting a head on each spinner is 1/2 or 50%, and the probability of two independent events occurring together is calculated by multiplying their individual probabilities.

2. Is the outcome of spinning two fair spinners independent?

Yes, the outcome of spinning two fair spinners is independent. This means that the result of one spin does not affect the result of the other spin. Each spin has an equal chance of landing on any of its possible outcomes, regardless of the previous spin.

3. What is the probability of getting two different numbers when spinning two fair spinners?

The probability of getting two different numbers when spinning two fair spinners is 3/4 or 75%. This is because there are 4 possible outcomes when spinning two fair spinners (HH, HT, TH, TT), and only one of those outcomes (HH) results in two of the same numbers.

4. How does the number of spinners affect the probability of getting a certain outcome?

The number of spinners does not affect the probability of getting a certain outcome. Each spinner has an equal chance of landing on any of its possible outcomes, regardless of the number of spinners being used.

5. What is the probability of getting at least one tail when spinning two fair spinners?

The probability of getting at least one tail when spinning two fair spinners is 3/4 or 75%. This is because there are 4 possible outcomes when spinning two fair spinners (HH, HT, TH, TT), and only one of those outcomes (HH) does not result in at least one tail.

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