Math Problem Statement

Three individuals, labelled A, B, and C, engage in a dice game using a standard sixsided die. They roll the die in a repeating sequence: A, then B, then C, followed by A, B, C, and so on. The game continues until one player rolls a six, at which point they are eliminated. The remaining two players then continue the process until one of them also rolls a six, ending the game. What are the probabilities for each of A, B and C to be the first to exit the game? Hint: Think carefully about what can happen at each step for A to find the probability A exits first, then consider B and C in turn. The following formula for a geometric sum may be useful.

Solution

Let's solve the problem step by step using the given hint about geometric sums. The key idea is to calculate the probability that each player is the first to roll a six.

Step 1: Understanding the Problem

The players roll the die in sequence: A, B, C, and repeat. The game continues until someone rolls a six. When a player rolls a six, they are eliminated, and the remaining two players continue.

We are asked to find the probability that each player (A, B, C) is the first to exit the game by rolling a six.

Step 2: Calculating the Probabilities

Let's denote the probability that a player rolls a six as p=16p = \frac{1}{6}. The probability that a player does not roll a six is q=56q = \frac{5}{6}.

  1. Probability that A exits first:

    • A rolls a six on the first try: p=16p = \frac{1}{6}.
    • A rolls a number other than six and B also doesn't roll a six, and C doesn't roll a six, then it comes back to A, and the game repeats. The probability of this sequence (where no one rolls a six in one complete cycle) is q3=(56)3q^3 = \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^3.

    The probability that A exits first can be expressed as a sum of an infinite geometric series: PA=16+(56)316+(56)616+P_A = \frac{1}{6} + \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^3 \cdot \frac{1}{6} + \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^6 \cdot \frac{1}{6} + \dots This is a geometric series with the first term a=16a = \frac{1}{6} and common ratio r=(56)3r = \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^3.

    The sum of this geometric series is: PA=a1r=161(56)3P_A = \frac{a}{1 - r} = \frac{\frac{1}{6}}{1 - \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^3} Let's simplify this: PA=161125216=1691216=2166×91=3691=410.110.396P_A = \frac{\frac{1}{6}}{1 - \frac{125}{216}} = \frac{\frac{1}{6}}{\frac{91}{216}} = \frac{216}{6 \times 91} = \frac{36}{91} = \frac{4}{10.11} \approx 0.396

  2. Probability that B exits first:

    • B can only exit first if A doesn't roll a six. The probability that A does not roll a six is q=56q = \frac{5}{6}.
    • Then B rolls a six: p=16p = \frac{1}{6}.
    • If B does not roll a six, the game continues in a similar pattern as with A.

    Thus, the probability PBP_B can be derived similarly: PB=5616+(56)416+(56)716+P_B = \frac{5}{6} \cdot \frac{1}{6} + \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^4 \cdot \frac{1}{6} + \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^7 \cdot \frac{1}{6} + \dots This is again a geometric series, and after simplifying: PB=56161(56)3=53691216=180216×3=415.330.261P_B = \frac{\frac{5}{6} \cdot \frac{1}{6}}{1 - \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^3} = \frac{\frac{5}{36}}{\frac{91}{216}} = \frac{180}{216 \times 3} = \frac{4}{15.33} \approx 0.261

  3. Probability that C exits first:

    • C can only exit first if neither A nor B rolls a six. The probability that neither A nor B rolls a six is (56)2\left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^2.
    • Then C rolls a six: p=16p = \frac{1}{6}.

    Therefore, PCP_C is: PC=(56)216+(56)516+(56)816+P_C = \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^2 \cdot \frac{1}{6} + \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^5 \cdot \frac{1}{6} + \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^8 \cdot \frac{1}{6} + \dots Simplifying: [ P_C = \

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability
Geometric Series
Game Theory

Formulas

Geometric series sum formula

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Advanced High School