Problem #PRU-65264

Problems Probability and statistics Probability theory Discrete distribution Algebra Number theory. Divisibility Divisibility of a number. General properties

Problem

Peter plays a computer game “A bunch of stones.” First in his pile of stones he has 16 stones. Players take turns taking from the pile either 1, 2, 3 or 4 stones. The one who takes the last stone wins. Peter plays this for the first time and therefore each time he takes a random number of stones, whilst not violating the rules of the game. The computer plays according to the following algorithm: on each turn, it takes the number of stones that leaves it to be in the most favorable position. The game always begins with Peter. How likely is it that Peter will win?