Five distinct numbers are randomly distributed to players numbered 1 through 5. Whenever two players compare their numbers, the one with the higher on

avissidep

avissidep

Answered question

2021-03-23

Five distinct numbers are randomly distributed to players numbered 1 through 5. Whenever two players compare their numbers, the one with the higher one is declared the winner. Initially, players 1 and 2 compare their numbers; the winner then compares with player 3, and so on. Let X denoted the number of times player 1 is a winner. Find P{X = i}, i = 0,1,2,3,4.

Answer & Explanation

liingliing8

liingliing8

Skilled2021-03-25Added 95 answers

5 distinct numbers are randomly distributed to playersnumbered 1 through 5. Two players compare their numbers,the one with the higher one is declared the winner. Initially, players 1 and 2 compare their numbers; the winner then compareswith player 3, and so on. 

Let X denoted the number of times player 1is a winner. Find P{X = i}, i = 0,1,2,3,4.
We may assume that thenumbers distributed are 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5


1) P(X=0)=P(the player 1 gets the #1)+P(p1 gets #2 and p2gets #(3,or 4 or 5) )+P(p1 gets #3 and p2 gets #4 or #5)+P(p1gets #4 and p2 gets #5)
=(1/5)+(1/5)(3/4)+(1/5)(2/4)+(1/5)(1/4)=(1/2)


(2)P(X=1)=P(p1 gets #2 and p2 gets #1 )+P(p1 gets #3 and p2gets #1 or #2 and p3 gets #4 or #5)+P(p1 gets #4 and p2 gets #1 or#2 or #3 and p3 gets #5)
=(1/5)(1/4)+(1/5)(2/4)(2/3)+(1/5)(3/4)(1/3)=(1/6).


3)P(X=2)=P(p1 gets #3 and p2 gets #1 or #2 and p3 gets #1 or#2)+ P(p1 gets #4 and p2 gets #1 or #2 or #3 and p3 gets oneof{1,2,3}-{#got by p2} and p4 gets #5)


4)P(X=3)=P(p1 gets #4 and p2 gets #1 or #2 or #3 and p3 getsone of{1,2,3}-{#got by p2} and p4 gets one of{1,2,3}-{#ofp2,#ofp3} )


5)P(X=4)=P(p1 gets #5)=1/5

user_27qwe

user_27qwe

Skilled2023-06-17Added 375 answers

Result:
P(X=0)=12
P(X=1)=12
P(X=2)=0
P(X=3)=112
P(X=4)=116
Solution:
1. If a is assigned to player 1 and b is assigned to player 2, player 1 wins the first comparison with probability 1. In this case, player 1 cannot win any more comparisons, so X=1.
2. If a is assigned to player 2 and b is assigned to player 1, player 1 loses the first comparison with probability 0. In this case, player 1 still has a chance to win against player 3, 4, and 5. So, X=0.
3. If a is assigned to player 1 and c is assigned to player 2, player 1 wins the first comparison with probability 1. In the second comparison, player 1 has a chance to win against player 3, but loses with probability 12 since c can be either assigned to player 3 or player 4. In this case, player 1 cannot win any more comparisons, so X=1.
4. If a is assigned to player 2 and c is assigned to player 1, player 1 loses the first comparison with probability 0. In the second comparison, player 1 wins against player 3 with probability 12. In this case, player 1 still has a chance to win against player 4 and player 5. So, X=1.
5. If a is assigned to player 1 and d is assigned to player 2, player 1 wins the first comparison with probability 1. In the second comparison, player 1 has a chance to win against player 3, but loses with probability 23 since d can be assigned to either player 3, 4, or 5. In this case, player 1 cannot win any more comparisons, so X=1.
6. If a is assigned to player 2 and d is assigned to player 1, player 1 loses the first comparison with probability 0. In the second comparison, player 1 wins against player 3 with probability 23. In this case, player 1 still has a chance to win against player 4 and player 5. So, X=1.
7. If a is assigned to player 1 and e is assigned to player 2, player 1 wins the first comparison with probability 1. In the second comparison, player 1 has a chance to win against player 3, but loses with probability 34 since e can be assigned to any of the remaining players. In this case, player 1 cannot win any more comparisons, so X=1.
8. If a is assigned to player 2 and e is assigned to player 1, player 1 loses the first comparison with probability 0. In the second comparison, player 1 wins against player 3 with probability 34. In this case, player 1 still has a chance to win against player 4 and player 5. So, <br>X=1.
From the above cases, it is clear that P(X=0)=12 and P(X=1)=12.
For X=2, there are no possible cases where player 1 wins twice, so P(X=2)=0.
For X=3, player 1 needs to win against player 3, 4, and 5. There is only one possible case where player 1 wins three times: if a is assigned to player 1, b to player 2, c to player 3, d to player 4, and e to player 5. So, P(X=3)=12×12×13=112.
For X=4, player 1 needs to win against all the remaining players (2, 3, 4, and 5). There is only one possible case where player 1 wins four times: if a is assigned to player 1 and the rest of the numbers are assigned to players 2, 3, 4, and 5 in decreasing order. So, P(X=4)=12×12×12×12=116.
karton

karton

Expert2023-06-17Added 613 answers

We need to find the probability of P1 being a winner a certain number of times, denoted by X.
For X = 0:
P1 can only win if P2 has the highest number among players 1 and 2. Since the numbers are distinct and randomly distributed, the probability of P2 having the highest number is 12. Thus, P(X=0)=12.
For X = 1:
P1 can win in two scenarios:
1. P2 has the highest number among players 1 and 2, and P3 has the highest number among players 1, 2, and 3. The probability of this scenario is 12×13=16.
2. P1 has the highest number among players 1, 2, and 3, and P4 has the highest number among players 1, 2, 3, and 4. The probability of this scenario is 12×13=16.
Thus, P(X=1)=16+16=13.
For X = 2:
P1 can win in three scenarios:
1. P2 wins against P1, and P3 wins against P2. Then, P1 wins against P3, and P4 wins against P1. The probability of this scenario is 12×13×12×14=148.
2. P2 wins against P1, and P3 wins against P2. Then, P1 wins against P3, and P5 wins against P1. The probability of this scenario is 12×13×12×14=148.
3. P1 wins against P2, and P4 wins against P1. Then, P2 wins against P4, and P5 wins against P2. The probability of this scenario is 12×13×12×14=148.
Thus, P(X=2)=148+148+148=116.
For X = 3:
P1 can win in two scenarios:
1. P1 wins against P2, P3, and P4. Then, P2 wins against P1, and P5 wins against P2. The probability of this scenario is 12×13×14×12×15=1240.
2. P1 wins against P2, P4, and P5. Then, P2 wins against P1, and
P3 wins against P2. The probability of this scenario is 12×13×14×12×15=1240.
Thus, P(X=3)=1240+1240=1120.
For X = 4:
P1 can win in one scenario:
1. P1 wins against P2, P3, P4, and P5. Then, P2 wins against P1. The probability of this scenario is 12×13×14×15×12=1240.
Thus, P(X=4)=1240.
Therefore, the probability distribution for X is:
P(X=0)=12
P(X=1)=13
P(X=2)=116
P(X=3)=1120
P(X=4)=1240

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