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[viperpaktu]

So. >_> I hope this doesn't annoy you folks on my friends list, but... My teacher is handing out 5 bonus points per week up to a max of 25 points for each weekly math question we get right

Comments

[majutsukai]

Could be a misstep in the problem's wording. Assume that you keep the marbles in your hand as you pull them out, and it becomes a lot easier. Either that, or it's a trick question.

[viperpaktu]

I think you keep the ones you pull out, but I'm not sure. XD

[dbzmerciter2005]

Assuming you keep the marble? Hmm.

Well you gotta assume that you pick all the blue ones first because you could go five times without a red one, but you CANNOT go six times without one.

So six is your answer.

[viperpaktu]

>_> Nah, I don't think it can be that simple...because mathmatically, once you've removed two of the blue marbles, you then get a 50/50 chance of getting a red or blue one. Remove another blue, and you get a bigger chance for a red, etc.. >_>;;

Or I could just be over thinking it. XD

[dbzmerciter2005]

I think you're over thinking it. The question doesn't ask "what chance" or "what is the probability" it simply asks "how many times." It's extremely simple. :)

Wording, WORDING is so important with math questions. :)

[viperpaktu]

I agree, wording is important. But I can't help but wonder/over think it. ;_;

[fujoshi_desu]

I've always been terrible with that sort of math. Sorry. :/

[viperpaktu]

Same. :(

meh. x_X;

[queenfreeziepop]

I agree, it has to be six. It's one of those very vague math questions. If your teacher is pulling a fast one, you can always call shenanigans and ask them to explain it so you'll get it next time, but i'm fairly certain it's six.

[viperpaktu]

She's not allowed to help us solve it, only give hints. :[ Untill the week is over and the answer is posted.

[sugarpunch]

Actually I think probability problems are a lot harder imo, when you assume you don't replace the marble, because I think when you do that, you like multiply or add the answers or some crazy crap like that, for the final result, but I'm not sure.

Had a bunch of those stupid ass problems in Finite Mathematics, hated them, but they weren't EVER worded like that.

This isn't the same kind of problem though so... yes I agree with six, since five are blue, the sixth would definitely have to be red. :p

[viperpaktu]

*hugs* XD Okay, okay. I'll go ask Paul (Guy who works in the mathmatics lab and helps me out with problems from time to time.) and see if he agrees with y'all. x3 (I like getting as many opinions as I can when I have no idea what's right, lmao. >_>; )

[sugarpunch]

Another way of looking at it is how many times could you draw a marble without getting a red, which would be 5, because 5 are blue. So the sixth marble would have a 100% chance of being red. Assuming you only pulled blue ones first. And that's what the question is implying happens. D; Anyway, good luck ^^

[viperpaktu]

xD; Yeah. I asked a teacher and she said "In worst case scenario(spelling?) you'd have to draw all 5 blues first before getting a red." XD