probability question (1 Viewer)

sadpwner

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2013
Messages
242
Gender
Male
HSC
N/A
There are 3 separate targets. 1 cannot be destroyed and can be shot at infinitely. The other 2 can be destroyed if shot at once by an arrow. 5 arrows are fired randomly one by one. What are the odds that both destroy-able targets are destroyed? The destroyed targets cannot be shot at again. All arrows hit.

My attempt at the first question.
The odds of it hitting the undestroyable target 4 times
2/3 x (1/2)^4 + 1/3 x 2/3 x (1/2)^3 + 1/3 x 1/3 x 2/3 x (1/2)^2 + (1/3)^3 x 2/3 x 1/2 + (1/3)^4 x 2/3

The odds of hitting the undestroyable target 3 times
2/3 x 1/2 + 1/3 x 2/3 x 1/2 + (1/3)^2 x 2/3 x 1/2 + (1/3)^3 x 2/3 x 1/2

Then add them both up up giving the answer. I am pretty sure you have to do separate cases.

That gives 0.6023662551440329
There are 3 separate targets. 1 can be destroyed if shot at 4 times but will end the game in doing so. The other 2 can be destroyed if shot at once by an arrow. 5 arrows are fired randomly one by one. What are the odds that both destroy-able targets that are destroyed by one shot are destroyed? The destroyed targets cannot be shot at again. If the game is over, no more arrows can be shot. All arrows hit.
 
Last edited:

Drsoccerball

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
3,657
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2015
There are 3 separate targets. 1 cannot be destroyed and can be shot at infinitely. The other 2 can be destroyed if shot once by an arrow. 5 arrows are fired. What are the odds that both destroy-able targets are destroyed? The destroyed targets cannot be shot at again.
 

sadpwner

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2013
Messages
242
Gender
Male
HSC
N/A
Oh, I had a look over it and I have a question. For the 2nd part of your working out with the binomial probability. If you shoot a destroy-able target, you can't shoot at it again so the odds become 1/2 afterwards, so is your working out still right?

How about this one?
There are 3 separate targets. 1 can be destroyed if shot at 4 times but will end the game in doing so. The other 2 can be destroyed if shot once by an arrow. 5 arrows are fired. What are the odds that both destroy-able targets that are destroyed by one shot are destroyed? The destroyed targets cannot be shot at again. If the game is over, no more arrows can be shot.

Thanks btw
 
Last edited:

braintic

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
2,137
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
Is this question implying that you must hit one of the three targets?
 

sadpwner

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2013
Messages
242
Gender
Male
HSC
N/A
Is this question implying that you must hit one of the three targets?

yes it is...

I thought of another way to look at the question. Basically, you calculate the odds that 4 hit the undestroyable target and add it with the odds 3 hit the undestroyable, which equate to the same the odds that both of them are destroyed. Working it out now
 
Last edited:

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top