Problems

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One of \(n\) prizes is embedded in each chewing gum pack, where each prize has probability \(1/n\) of being found.

How many packets of gum, on average, should I buy to collect the full collection prizes?

An exam is made up of three trigonometry problems, two algebra problems and five geometry problems. Martin is able to solves trigonometry problems with probability \(p_1 = 0.2\), geometry problems with probability \(p_2 = 0.4\), and algebra problems with probability \(p_3 = 0.5\). To get a \(B\), Martin needs to solve at least five problems, where the grades are as follows \((A+, A, B, C, D)\).

a) With what probability does Martin solve at least five problems?

Martin decided to work hard on the problems of any one section. Over a week, he can increase the probability of solving the problems of this section by 0.2.

b) What section should Martin complete, so that the probability of solving at least five problems becomes the greatest?

c) Which section should Martin deal with, so that the mathematical expectation of the number of solved problems becomes the greatest?

\(N\) people lined up behind each other. The taller people obstruct the shorter ones, and they cannot be seen.

What is the mathematical expectation of the number of people that can be seen?

In the centre of a rectangular billiard table that is 3 m long and 1 m wide, there is a billiard ball. It is hit by a cue in a random direction. After the impact the ball stops passing exactly 2 m. Find the expected number of reflections from the sides of the table.

A numerical set \(x_1, \dots , x_n\) is given. Consider the function \(d(t) = \frac{min_{i=1,\dots ,n}|x_i-t| + max_{i=1,\dots ,n}|x_i - t|}{2}\).

a) Is it true that the function \(d (t)\) takes the smallest value at a single point, for any set of numbers \(x_1, \dots , x_n\)?

b) Compare the values of \(d (c)\) and \(d (m)\) where \(c = \frac{min_{i=1,\dots ,n}x_i + max_{i=1,\dots ,n}x_i}{2}\) and \(m\) is the median of the specified set.

James furiously cuts a rectangular sheet of paper with scissors. Every second he cuts a random piece by an unsystematic rectilinear cut into two parts.

a) Find the mathematical expectation of the number of sides of a polygon (made from a piece of paper) that James randomly picks up after an hour of such work.

b) Solve the same problem if at first the piece of paper had the form of an arbitrary polygon.

A regular dice is thrown many times. Find the mathematical expectation of the number of rolls made before the moment when the sum of all rolled points reaches 2010 (that is, it became no less than 2010).

The point \(O\) is randomly chosen on piece of square paper. Then the square is folded in such a way that each vertex is overlaid on the point \(O\). The figure shows one of the possible folding schemes. Find the mathematical expectation of the number of sides of the polygon that appears.

A fair dice is thrown many times. It is known that at some point the total amount of points became equal to exactly 2010.

Find the mathematical expectation of the number of throws made to this point.

A fly moves from the origin only to the right or upwards along the lines of the integer grid (a monotonic wander). In each node of the net, the fly randomly selects the direction of further movement: upwards or to the right.

a) Prove that sooner or later the fly will reach the point with abscissa 2011.

b) Find the mathematical expectation of the ordinate of the fly at the moment when the fly reached the abscissa 2011.