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In a box of 2009 socks there are blue and red socks. Can there be some number of blue socks that the probability of pulling out two socks of the same colour at random is equal to 0.5?

Hannah and Emma have three coins. On different sides of one coin there are scissors and paper, on the sides of another coin – a rock and scissors, on the sides of the third – paper and a rock. Scissors defeat paper, paper defeats rock and rock wins against scissors. First, Hannah chooses a coin, then Emma, then they throw their coins and see who wins (if the same image appears on both, then it’s a draw). They do this many times. Is it possible for Emma to choose a coin so that the probability of her winning is higher than that of Hannah?

Gabby and Joe cut rectangles out of checkered paper. Joe is lazy; He throws a die once and cuts out a square whose side is equal to the number of points that are on the upwards facing side of the die. Gabby throws the die twice and cuts out a rectangle with the length and width equal to the numbers which come out from the die. Who has the mathematical expectation of the rectangle of a greater area?

According to the rules of a chess match, the winner is declared to be the one who has beaten their opponent by two defeats. Draws do not count. The probability of winning for both rivals is the same. The number of successful games played in such a match is random. Find its mathematical expectation.

In competitions on stuffing bellies, the chances of opponents winning are the same as the masses of their bodies. Harry weighs more than Will, and Connor weighs less than Sam. It is not possible to draw in such a duel. Harry and Will take turns to compete with Connor and Sam. Which of these events is more likely: \(A = \{\)Harry will win against only Connor, and Will only against Sam\(\}\) or \(B = \{\)Harry will win only against Sam and Will only wins against Connor\(\}\)?

In the magical land of Anchuria there is a drafts championship made up of several rounds. The days and cities in which the rounds are carried out are determined by a draw. According to the rules of the championship, no two rounds can take place in one city, and no two rounds can take place on one day. Among the fans, a lottery is arranged: the main prize is given to those who correctly guess, before the start of the championship, in which cities and on which days all of the round will take place. If no one guesses, then the main prize will go to the organising committee of the championship. In total, there are eight cities in Anchuria, and the championship is only allotted eight days. How many rounds should there be in the championship, so that the organising committee is most likely to receive the main prize?

A die is thrown six times. Find the mathematical expectation of the number of different faces the die lands on.

On a calculator keypad, there are the numbers from 0 to 9 and signs of two actions (see the figure). First, the display shows the number 0. You can press any keys. The calculator performs the actions in the sequence of clicks. If the action sign is pressed several times, the calculator will only remember the last click.

a) The button with the multiplier sign breaks and does not work. The Scattered Scientist pressed several buttons in a random sequence. Which result of the resulting sequence of actions is more likely: an even number or an odd number?

b) Solve the previous problem if the multiplication symbol button is repaired.

On a Christmas tree, 100 light bulbs hang in a row. Then the light bulbs begin to switch according to the following algorithm: all are lit up, then after a second, every second light goes out, after another second, every third light bulb changes: if it was on, it goes out and vice versa. After another second, every fourth bulb switches, a second later – every fifth and so on. After 100 seconds the sequence ends. Find the probability that a light bulb straight after a randomly selected light bulb is on (bulbs do not burn out and do not break).