# probability

• Oct 11th 2012, 01:07 PM
goldenrain
probability
In a probability experiment that records the sum of the numbers on the upper faces of the dice after they become stationary, the outcome with the greatest probability is...
• Oct 11th 2012, 01:27 PM
ebaines
Re: probability
Depends how many dice are being tossed. For two dice the most common result is 7.
• Oct 11th 2012, 01:28 PM
Plato
Re: probability
Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenrain
In a probability experiment that records the sum of the numbers on the upper faces of the dice after they become stationary, the outcome with the greatest probability is...

How many dice are thrown?
• Oct 11th 2012, 01:29 PM
goldenrain
Re: probability
It does not say
• Oct 11th 2012, 01:36 PM
ebaines
Re: probability
Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenrain
It does not say

Then it's impossible to answer. The problem as you wrote it refers to "the dice" as if referring to some dice already discussed, perhaps in a previous question - are you sure there is no clue as to how many dice are involved?
• Oct 11th 2012, 01:39 PM
goldenrain
Re: probability
1. Six

2. Seven

3. Eight

4. None of the above.

would you put none of the above?
• Oct 11th 2012, 01:47 PM
Plato
Re: probability
Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenrain
It does not say

That makes it a poor problem.
Have a look at this web page.
The coefficients tell us the number of way we can get the various sums when four dice are used. For example the term $146x^{14}$ tells us there are 146 ways to throw a fourteen.

You can change the power 4 in $\left( {\sum\limits_{k = }^6 {x^k } } \right)^4$ to find out the numbers for any number of dice.
• Oct 11th 2012, 01:48 PM
jsweston828
Re: probability
so would you just say None of the above? or 7?
• Oct 11th 2012, 02:52 PM
Plato
Re: probability
Quote:

Originally Posted by jsweston828
so would you just say None of the above? or 7?

Go to that webpage. Change 4 to 2. Click the $\boxed{=}$
Look for the largest coefficient.