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nick_sun
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KillerSquirrel
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alfyG
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KillerSquirrel
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alfyG
Quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

balls.JPG
Description:

Filesize: 41.77 KB
Viewed: 5 Time(s)

The way I figured out this questions is to first calculate the number of pathways that lead to a specific cell.

Cell 1 - 1 pathway - 1/8 chance; that is, 1/2*1/2*1/2 = 1/8
Cell 2 - 3 pathways - 3/8 chance; that is, 3*(1/2*1/2*1/2)
Cell 3 - 3 pathways - 3/8 chance; that is, 3*(1/2*1/2*1/2)
Cell 4 - 1 pathway - 1/8 chance; that is, 1/2*1/2*1/2

Cell 1 + Cell 2 + Cell 3 + Cell 4 must add to 100% and they do.

So my answer is 3/8


alfyG - isn't that time consuming to calculate every cell ? we were only asked to calculate cell 2.
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alfyG
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:-D In this case not really, if you know one you can readily spot the others. But sure, I would not do this on a real test, just case 2 - that is, only what is required.
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nick_sun
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Thank you guys. The OA is 3/8.

KillerSquirrel

there are 3 ways for the ball to reach 2 with 1/2 probability in every junction


KillerSquirrel, could you please explain how you found that there are 3 ways for the ball to reach 2? Just can't get it :roll:
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KillerSquirrel
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nick_sun
Thank you guys. The OA is 3/8.

KillerSquirrel

there are 3 ways for the ball to reach 2 with 1/2 probability in every junction

KillerSquirrel, could you please explain how you found that there are 3 ways for the ball to reach 2? Just can't get it :roll:


sure - look at the attachment (sorry for my poor paintshop skills :cry: )
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untitled.JPG
untitled.JPG [ 8.34 KiB | Viewed 1317 times ]

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alfyG
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:shock: fantastic picture / Try this:

case 2: left - left - right
left - right - left
right - left - left

Follow the pattern here with your finger and you'll see the three ways
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javed
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nick_sun
Please see the question stem below.


Case 1: Left-left-right, P1=1/8.
Case 2 : left-right-left, P2=1/8.
Case 3 : right-left-left, P3=1/8.

So p=p1+p2+p3=3/8.

Javed.

Cheers!
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nick_sun
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You rock, guys :-D

KillerSquirrel, thank you for your masterpiece, it is very helpful for understanding the problem :P



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