Homework Help: Math

Posted by Urgent!! on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 8:49pm.

In a World Series, two teams play each other in at least four and at most seven games. The first team to win four games is the winner of the World Series. Assuming that both teams are equally matched, what is the probability that a World Series will be one (a) in four games? (b) in five games? (c) in six games? (d) in seven games? Explain.

Math - Reiny, Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 9:53pm
Be "equally matched" I will assume
P(win) = 1/2 = prob(loss)

winning in 4 games = (1/2)^4 = 1/16

in 5 games, has to lose once)
LWWWW
WLWWW
WWLWW
WWWLW ----- each of these has a prob of (1/2)^5
but there are 4 cases,
so prob(5games) = 4/32 = 1/8

6 games , 2 losses, 4 wins
number of ways = 6!/(2!4!) = 15 , but that includes the case of ending with a loss, which can't happen
so number of 6 games is 14
prob(6games) = 14/(1/2)^6 = 14/64 = 7/32

7 games, 4 wins, 3 losses
number of cases = 7!/(3!4!) = 35 , less the case of ending in L
we have 34 such cases
prob(7 games) = 34/(1/2)^7 = 34/128 = 17/64

Answer this Question

Related Questions

Math - In a World Series, two teams play each other in at least four and at most...
math - two teams meet in playoff series at the end of the regular season. Team A...
math - two teams meet in playoff series at the end of the regular season. Team A...
math: Am I right? - How many games are played in a women’s soccer ...
SAT Math - At a basketball tournament involving 8 team played 4 games with each ...
Math - How many games are played in a soccer competition if there are 7 teams ...
math - How many games are played in a soccer competition if there are 7 teams ...
arithmetic - There is going to be a tournament to decide which of 8 football ...
arithmetic - There is going to be a tournament to decide which of 8 football ...
math - How many games are played in a women's soccer conference if there are...

For Further Reading

First Name:
School Subject:
Answer: