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Brainteaser for TeamLiquid! - Page 11

Forum Index > General Forum
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zobz
Profile Joined November 2005
Canada2175 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 09:09:38
June 10 2011 07:34 GMT
#201
Very confusing OP. Learning some things about probability though.
"That's not gonna be good for business." "That's not gonna be good for anybody."
Eknoid4
Profile Joined October 2010
United States902 Posts
June 10 2011 07:35 GMT
#202
On June 10 2011 16:33 Clog wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 10 2011 16:32 Eknoid4 wrote:
On June 10 2011 16:24 naggerNZ wrote:
Just a note, threads like these are just purposefully divisive and humiliating. They're using logical ambiguity to attempt to embarrass those who don't already know the exact answer. Posts like this:


On June 10 2011 16:21 Eknoid4 wrote:
This does not deserve a thread.

this is middle school math.


are just assholes trying to make others look stupid.

No, I'm serious. This doesn't deserve a thread. Ask a friend who is decent at math. Don't start a 10+ page argument. I don't have to try to make anybody i nthis thread look stupid. People arguing with basic math concepts when the OP has more to do with reading comprehension (which, in the context of math, you also should have learned in middle school) are making themselves look stupid enough.


What did you put?

Now now, child, this is cheating.
If you're mad that someone else is brazenly trumpeting their beliefs with ignorance, perhaps you should be mad that you are doing it too.
Clog
Profile Joined January 2011
United States950 Posts
June 10 2011 07:35 GMT
#203
On June 10 2011 16:33 TheOne85 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 10 2011 16:20 Clog wrote:
On June 10 2011 16:18 EmeraldSparks wrote:
On June 10 2011 16:17 Clog wrote:
this has nothing to do with the OP

But that's wrong.


No it isn't

The OP said "Given that at least one of my games was Zerg, what is the probability that both of my games are zerg."

You said something like "Given that at least one of my games was Zerg, what is the probability that the other game I am zerg."

The OP is discussing 2 games. You are discussing one game.


The actual question asked was "I played as Zerg at least once. What is the probability that my other game was as Zerg as well?"

Brain teaser messed up the OP so badly that he posted it in a retarded manner.


No it's not. At least it wasn't when I came in. Reread the OP, I copied and pasted it
NesTea | LosirA | MVP | CoCa | Nada | Ryung | DRG | YongHwa
Shaok
Profile Joined October 2010
297 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 07:40:16
June 10 2011 07:38 GMT
#204
On June 10 2011 16:35 Clog wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 10 2011 16:33 TheOne85 wrote:
On June 10 2011 16:20 Clog wrote:
On June 10 2011 16:18 EmeraldSparks wrote:
On June 10 2011 16:17 Clog wrote:
this has nothing to do with the OP

But that's wrong.


No it isn't

The OP said "Given that at least one of my games was Zerg, what is the probability that both of my games are zerg."

You said something like "Given that at least one of my games was Zerg, what is the probability that the other game I am zerg."

The OP is discussing 2 games. You are discussing one game.


The actual question asked was "I played as Zerg at least once. What is the probability that my other game was as Zerg as well?"

Brain teaser messed up the OP so badly that he posted it in a retarded manner.


No it's not. At least it wasn't when I came in. Reread the OP, I copied and pasted it


Ok it was the original problem spoilered. Who wrote that amazing piece of English?

I am also going with this dude:

On June 10 2011 16:34 garbobjee wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 10 2011 10:19 oxidized wrote:

Limiting your options to ZP, ZZ, ZT, PZ, TZ (order preserved).

That means there is only a 1/5 chance you got the ZZ, so that the other match was zerg.


When you said, ZP, ZZ, ZT, PZ, and TZ,
you stated the number of possible combinations incorrectly. The order of the games doesn't actually matter, the only thing that does matter is how many times you played as a certain race. So now, ZP and PZ should be one outcome, and ZT and TZ should also be one outcome.

With those outcomes combined, there should only be three outcomes: ZZ, ZP, and ZT, so the chance of playing as zerg twice given that you played as zerg at least once, is 1/3.

SolC361
Profile Joined July 2010
United States184 Posts
June 10 2011 07:43 GMT
#205
The problem with this thread isn't just the quarreling over the wording of the question, but it seems not everyone can even agree on the definition and axioms of probability. If you flip a coin and put a book over it before it's seen, is the probability that it is heads 0.5 or 1? Even for this simple question, you'll get different answers and debate because of this. I can only imagine the shitstorm if someone had posted the Monty Hall problem before it ever became well-known.
Clog
Profile Joined January 2011
United States950 Posts
June 10 2011 07:48 GMT
#206
On June 10 2011 16:38 TheOne85 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 10 2011 16:35 Clog wrote:
On June 10 2011 16:33 TheOne85 wrote:
On June 10 2011 16:20 Clog wrote:
On June 10 2011 16:18 EmeraldSparks wrote:
On June 10 2011 16:17 Clog wrote:
this has nothing to do with the OP

But that's wrong.


No it isn't

The OP said "Given that at least one of my games was Zerg, what is the probability that both of my games are zerg."

You said something like "Given that at least one of my games was Zerg, what is the probability that the other game I am zerg."

The OP is discussing 2 games. You are discussing one game.


The actual question asked was "I played as Zerg at least once. What is the probability that my other game was as Zerg as well?"

Brain teaser messed up the OP so badly that he posted it in a retarded manner.


No it's not. At least it wasn't when I came in. Reread the OP, I copied and pasted it


Ok it was the original problem spoilered. Who wrote that amazing piece of English?

I am also going with this dude:

Show nested quote +
On June 10 2011 16:34 garbobjee wrote:
On June 10 2011 10:19 oxidized wrote:

Limiting your options to ZP, ZZ, ZT, PZ, TZ (order preserved).

That means there is only a 1/5 chance you got the ZZ, so that the other match was zerg.


When you said, ZP, ZZ, ZT, PZ, and TZ,
you stated the number of possible combinations incorrectly. The order of the games doesn't actually matter, the only thing that does matter is how many times you played as a certain race. So now, ZP and PZ should be one outcome, and ZT and TZ should also be one outcome.

With those outcomes combined, there should only be three outcomes: ZZ, ZP, and ZT, so the chance of playing as zerg twice given that you played as zerg at least once, is 1/3.



I understand the reasoning behind it, but I'd still argue it's incorrect. The order of the game does matter when considering its independent probability of happening. If you play two games as random, you are twice as likely to get 1 Zerg 1 Protoss than you are getting Zerg both games (which can be shown by splitting the Zerg + Protoss result into two based on order, and given them equal probabilities).

It's the same reason that after flipping a coin twice you have a 50% chance to get 1 Heads 1 Tails, and then 25% each for both Heads and both Tails. And this, as well, could be split up based on order saying that its just 25% for all the following: HH, HT, TH, TT

Basically, if you do something to identify a specific game or result (such as using the words "the other"), then the order does not matter, and the SC2 example answer would in fact be 1/3. But if you do not (such as the OP currently has in the non-spoiler chunk of his post), it does, for purposes as shown in the coin flipping scenario, and the SC2 example answer would be 1/5.

Further reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_or_Girl_paradox
NesTea | LosirA | MVP | CoCa | Nada | Ryung | DRG | YongHwa
freeloader625
Profile Joined May 2010
United States180 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 07:56:24
June 10 2011 07:51 GMT
#207
*Sigh I'm very surprised that this thread is still going on. For those who think the answer is 1/3 still after the rewording of the problem, you need to stop being stubborn and listen to the facts.


Independent Events:

The answer is 1/3 if they are independent events. This is the case in which the games are independent:

+ Show Spoiler +

"I play two starcraft games as random. One of them was Zerg. What is the probability that my other game was Zerg?"

Total Possible Outcomes:
    PP
    PT
    PZ
    TP
    TT
    TZ
    ZP
    ZT
    ZZ


We look at game two and see 3/9 or 1/3 Simple.


Conditional events

The answer is 1/5 if they are not independent events.

+ Show Spoiler +
Total Possible Outcomes:
    PP
    PT
    PZ
    TP
    TT
    TZ
    ZP
    ZT
    ZZ

However "given that at least one of my games was Zerg, what is the probability that both of my games are zerg." So now we must eliminate to meet our conditions (hence conditional probability) We are now left with:

Total Outcomes that meet the conditions stated:
    PZ
    TZ
    ZP
    ZT
    ZZ


Now we simply count which meet condition one (one game played was zerg) and condition two (the other game is zerg AS WELL). One out of Five = 1/5.


Yes the wording was ambiguous at first, which led to confusion. But the "as well," makes it conditional. Now the OP changed so there is no ambiguity at all simply asking straight out that both games are played as zerg after one of them was already played as zerg. This is just a purely simple proof.

+ Show Spoiler +
EDIT: To garbobjee
On June 10 2011 16:34 garbobjee wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 10 2011 10:19 oxidized wrote:

Limiting your options to ZP, ZZ, ZT, PZ, TZ (order preserved).

That means there is only a 1/5 chance you got the ZZ, so that the other match was zerg.


When you said, ZP, ZZ, ZT, PZ, and TZ,
you stated the number of possible combinations incorrectly. The order of the games doesn't actually matter, the only thing that does matter is how many times you played as a certain race. So now, ZP and PZ should be one outcome, and ZT and TZ should also be one outcome.

With those outcomes combined, there should only be three outcomes: ZZ, ZP, and ZT, so the chance of playing as zerg twice given that you played as zerg at least once, is 1/3.


WRONG. Look at above all possible outcomes to see why order of games does matter.

freeloader625
Profile Joined May 2010
United States180 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 07:55:58
June 10 2011 07:55 GMT
#208
double post
Rammblin Man
Profile Joined April 2011
Canada19 Posts
June 10 2011 07:55 GMT
#209
Well it seems like the best way to settle this is for everybody to just go out and test this. Its simple, just go into a random number generator and set the range from 1 to 3.

1 = zerg, 2 = toss, 3 = terran

Now, generate a random number twice to create a set of data. Next, do this 9999 more times.

Done? Good. Now, decide which question you want to ask.

If you want to look only at the series that have at least one zerg in them, then eliminate all the data sets that don't have a 1 in them. Next, count how many of these sets have two zergs. The answer will approximately be equal to the chances of having two zergs in that situation.

If you want to look at all of the series, choose one set at random. Does it have a 1 in it? If so, record the other number in that set. Next, do this 9999 more times. The number of times that you record a double zerg will be approximately equal to the probability of finding a second zerg in a set if you randomly choose one that already contains a zerg.

There you go, there should be two different answers, both derived empirically. No more arguing should be allowed until everybody has done this.
oBlade
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
United States6090 Posts
June 10 2011 07:55 GMT
#210
A great reason we have ways of representing things symbolically in math and logic is to avoid the ambiguities associated with being colloquial.
"I read it. You know how to read, you ignorant fuck?" - Andy Dufresne
freeloader625
Profile Joined May 2010
United States180 Posts
June 10 2011 07:58 GMT
#211
I just fucking used brute force to prove it. If any idiot beyond this points wants to refute you deserve a permaban for inability to read and inability to do math.
Geo.Rion
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
7377 Posts
June 10 2011 07:59 GMT
#212
Monthy python paradox reloaded?
"Protoss is a joke" Liquid`Jinro Okt.1. 2011
Cambium
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
United States16368 Posts
June 10 2011 08:00 GMT
#213
OP: your updated question is much more ambiguous than the original with modifications

Let's say IMNestea (always Z) is playing against, say, TLO, and TLO is playing random. They're going to play exactly two games (for simplicity). Your friend spoils the fun by saying "OMG Nestea's ZvZ is absolutely sick!" (implying he saw a ZvZ game).

This leaves a lot up for interpretation. Your friend could have said that to you after the first game, with the 2nd game yet to be played, in this case, the answer is 1/3.


What you really meant was
Let's say IMNestea (always Z) is playing against, say, TLO, and TLO is playing random. They played exactly two games (for simplicity). Your friend spoils the fun by saying "OMG Nestea's ZvZ is absolutely sick!" (implying he saw at least one ZvZ game).


This is a simple application of conditional probability, and it's hardly a brainteaser. Those who say 1/5 are correct:

P(A | B) = P(A \cap B) / P(B) (\cap is the intersection sign)

In this case:
P(A) = twice Z
P(B) = at least Z once

P(A \cap B):
Since P(A) is a subset of P(B), P(A \cap B) = P(A) = 1/3 * 1/3 = 1/9

P(B) = P(at least Z once) = 1 - P(no Z) = 1 - (2/3)^2 = 5/9

P(A | B) = 1/9 / 5/9 = 1/5
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
Sneakyz
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden2361 Posts
June 10 2011 08:03 GMT
#214
All these brainteasers popping up seems to be more about understanding the question than actual math.
I have found the Iron to be my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But two hundred pounds is always two hundred pounds.
fy12345
Profile Joined April 2010
Canada151 Posts
June 10 2011 08:03 GMT
#215
isnt this just Bayes' Theorem? y is it a brainteaser
semantics
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
10040 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 08:07:39
June 10 2011 08:03 GMT
#216
Anyone else just reminded of this
http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=155158
+ Show Spoiler [quite long somethinggraphic] +
[image loading]



On June 10 2011 16:32 Eknoid4 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 10 2011 16:24 naggerNZ wrote:
Just a note, threads like these are just purposefully divisive and humiliating. They're using logical ambiguity to attempt to embarrass those who don't already know the exact answer. Posts like this:


On June 10 2011 16:21 Eknoid4 wrote:
This does not deserve a thread.

this is middle school math.


are just assholes trying to make others look stupid.

No, I'm serious. This doesn't deserve a thread. Ask a friend who is decent at math. Don't start a 10+ page argument. I don't have to try to make anybody i nthis thread look stupid. People arguing with basic math concepts when the OP has more to do with reading comprehension (which, in the context of math, you also should have learned in middle school) are making themselves look stupid enough.
han_han
Profile Joined October 2010
United States205 Posts
June 10 2011 08:04 GMT
#217
I guessed.
Cambium
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
United States16368 Posts
June 10 2011 08:04 GMT
#218
On June 10 2011 16:59 Geo.Rion wrote:
Monthy python paradox reloaded?


Monty Python is very different. Monty Python is a "paradox" because the state space was never fully defined.
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
greendestiny
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Bosnia-Herzegovina114 Posts
June 10 2011 08:05 GMT
#219
I was sceptical too about the answer being 1/5, but after just a brief calculation, it turned out to be true.
Here's my explanation:

In two matches, a player can get

match 1 - Z P T
match 2 - Z P T

ZZ ZP ZT PZ PP PT TZ TP TT (9 combinations)

Since we know he was Zerg once, we rule out all possibilities without Z.

ZZ ZP ZT PZ PP PT TZ TP TT

The answer is:

1/5.
How I appear to you is a reflection of you, not me.
Ivs
Profile Joined January 2008
Australia139 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 08:08:02
June 10 2011 08:07 GMT
#220
On June 10 2011 17:04 Cambium wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 10 2011 16:59 Geo.Rion wrote:
Monthy python paradox reloaded?


Monty Python is very different. Monty Python is a "paradox" because the state space was never fully defined.

You mean the Monty Hall paradox?

Zerg tears (Wiki)Monty Hall
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