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Puzzle: The Monty Hall problem

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:17 pm
by galanter_Archive
If you've already heard this one please let those who haven't bat it around first.

And no fair Googling the answer and then posting like you are some damn smarty pants.

Once upon a time there was a game show called "Let's Make a Deal". It was hosted by the prototypical game show host Monty Hall. For the better part of the show he would be out in the audience playing various games where they would have to choose between hidden prizes, or they would have to choose whether to give up a known prize for a mystery prize...that kind of thing. Sometimes to taunt the players he would reveal an unselected prize.

Anyway...here is the puzzle based on that show...

Suppose you're on a game show, and you're given the choice of three doors: Behind one door is a car; behind the others, goats. You pick a door No. 1, and Monty, who always knows what's behind the doors, opens door No. 3, which has a goat. Monty then says to you, "Do you want to pick door No. 2?" Is it to your advantage to switch your choice?



- Phil

Puzzle: The Monty Hall problem

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:20 pm
by Ogre_Archive
NERD!!!


It doesn't matter. Who wouldn't want to win a car? Who wouldn't want to win a goat? Both are fine prizes.


Now smash Galanter and throw into a pool. ARGHHHHHHH, NERDS!!!!!!!!!!!

Puzzle: The Monty Hall problem

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:30 pm
by Adam CR
No.

Stick with the first choice.

Puzzle: The Monty Hall problem

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:31 pm
by Chapter Two_Archive
Adam CR wrote:No.

Stick with the first choice.


Why?

Puzzle: The Monty Hall problem

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:32 pm
by M_a_x_Archive
Yes.
I took a whole class that revolved around solving this problem, so I guess that's cheating.

Puzzle: The Monty Hall problem

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:46 pm
by galanter_Archive
It's just fun to watch the first-timers for a while...

Puzzle: The Monty Hall problem

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:48 pm
by Chapter Two_Archive
Is the answer a coat?

Puzzle: The Monty Hall problem

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:52 pm
by galanter_Archive
(I'll admit to being confused by this one for an embarrassingly long while.)

Puzzle: The Monty Hall problem

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:54 pm
by Kayte R.
Is this a probability or psychology problem?

Puzzle: The Monty Hall problem

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:55 pm
by russ_Archive
Kayte R. wrote:Is this a probability or psychology problem?

Probability.