http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/haystacks Questions tagged with 'haystacks' at Ask MetaFilter. Wed, 01 Dec 2004 07:40:26 -0800 Wed, 01 Dec 2004 07:40:26 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/12359/What%2Dare%2Dthe%2Dodds%2Dof%2Dfinding%2D20%2Dneedles%2Din%2D270%2Dhaystacks Suppose there are 20 objects hidden in a collection of 270 haystacks. What are your odds of searching 100 haystacks (assuming that if you choose to search a haystack with an object in it, you'll find that object) without finding an object? My discrete math skillz have eroded to the point where any attempt to work this out myself yields preposterous numbers.. tag:ask.metafilter.com,2004:site.12359 Wed, 01 Dec 2004 07:40:26 -0800 haystacks math mathematics probability COBRA!