diff --git a/academic/misc/2024-math-calendar/12-dec.html b/academic/misc/2024-math-calendar/12-dec.html index c15d888..2680835 100644 --- a/academic/misc/2024-math-calendar/12-dec.html +++ b/academic/misc/2024-math-calendar/12-dec.html @@ -246,6 +246,44 @@
+How many times would you expect to have to flip a coin if you flip until two +tails are flipped in a row? +
+ ++Let \(E\) be the expected number of flips. Consider the following tree. +
+ + + ++If we start with heads, then we are back to the start waiting for 2 consecutive +tails. This has probability \(1/2\) and expected flips \(E+1\). If we flip tails +and then heads, it is a similar situation of returning to the start. The +probability is \(1/4\) and expected flips is \(E+2\). Finally, flipping 2 tails +has probability \(1/4\) and expected flips \(2\). Combining all this information +gives us the following equation for \(E\) +\[E={1\over2}\cdot(E+1)+{1\over4}\cdot(E+2)+{1\over4}\cdot2\] +Multiply each side by \(4\) +\[4E=2(E+1)+(E+2)+2=3E+6\] +Then subtract to get \(E=6\). Therefore 6 flips are expected. +
+