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P. 175
Math Story Pascal and De Me’ re’
Two of the most influential people in the history of probability are Pascal
and Fermat.
De Mere, a friend of Pascal, once asked him to solve a probability
problem.
One of the letters that De Mere sent to Pascal is as shown below.
A few days ago, a friend and I were gambling for 16 gold coins.
We decided to toss a coin. I would win if the coin shows heads
twice first. My friend would win if the coin shows tails twice first.
We were interrupted, and the game stopped after the first toss
showed heads. We have not been able to continue the game
since then
I think that it is absolutely unfair to share the gold coins equally
as if the game was never played. But, I can’t take all of the
16 gold coins, since my friend insists that there was a chance
that he could have won.
How can we share the 16 gold coins so that it is fair for both of
us?
Pascal, I need your help!
164
Two of the most influential people in the history of probability are Pascal
and Fermat.
De Mere, a friend of Pascal, once asked him to solve a probability
problem.
One of the letters that De Mere sent to Pascal is as shown below.
A few days ago, a friend and I were gambling for 16 gold coins.
We decided to toss a coin. I would win if the coin shows heads
twice first. My friend would win if the coin shows tails twice first.
We were interrupted, and the game stopped after the first toss
showed heads. We have not been able to continue the game
since then
I think that it is absolutely unfair to share the gold coins equally
as if the game was never played. But, I can’t take all of the
16 gold coins, since my friend insists that there was a chance
that he could have won.
How can we share the 16 gold coins so that it is fair for both of
us?
Pascal, I need your help!
164
