06-11-2003, 02:09 AM
Hi,
Since the solution that rashban gave is correct and it gives a 1/2 * 1 + 1/2 * 49/100 = 149/200 ~ 75% chance of getting a white ball, then clearly your solution which only gives a 50% chance is not as good.
The problem here isn't coming up with the ideal solution -- that's pretty obvious to anyone that knows how to do probability calculations. The problem is *proving* that the solution is optimal.
--Pete
Since the solution that rashban gave is correct and it gives a 1/2 * 1 + 1/2 * 49/100 = 149/200 ~ 75% chance of getting a white ball, then clearly your solution which only gives a 50% chance is not as good.
The problem here isn't coming up with the ideal solution -- that's pretty obvious to anyone that knows how to do probability calculations. The problem is *proving* that the solution is optimal.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?