Stats-filter: Given a binary matrix, if I know the total number of ones in a given row and a given column, can I calculate the probability that a given position contains a one? [more inside]
posted by chrisamiller on Dec 16, 2009 - 24 answers

Can you help me figure out this math question related to probability? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne on Dec 12, 2009 - 41 answers

Here's an obnoxious school question that's been nagging me for days: Suppose that the height (at the shoulder) of adult African bull bush elephants is normally distributed with µ = 3.3 meters and ∂ = .2 meter. The elephant on display at the Smithsonian Institute has a height 4 meters and is the largest elephant on record. What is the probability that an adult African bull bush elephant has height 4 meters or more? [more inside]
posted by incomple on Dec 8, 2009 - 8 answers

What are the chances, in blackjack, that I will start with 15, and the dealer will be showing a 10 (or face card worth 10)? [more inside]
posted by gummo on Oct 28, 2008 - 8 answers

It's late, I'm tired, and I have a probability and coding question that's fairly simple. [more inside]
posted by chrisamiller on Aug 13, 2008 - 10 answers

You're dealt 8 cards face down from a 52 card deck. All values are determined by the number on the card, not the suit. What is the probability of each card being dealt? [more inside]
posted by b_thinky on Jul 9, 2008 - 12 answers

I need a tool to help me analyze the probability of certain events occurring regarding a pool of X dice for a game I am creating. See my examples below. [more inside]
posted by DetonatedManiac on Dec 21, 2007 - 7 answers

Given a fair die with s sides, what is the expected number of rolls r before I get o outcomes with the same value v in a row? [Note this is emphatically NOT a homework problem; I just really want to know, feel like I should be able to figure it out, can't, and it is driving me nuts.] [more inside]
posted by lucasks on Dec 19, 2007 - 30 answers

ProbabilityFilter: Calling all mathematicians... [more inside]
posted by 777 on Nov 21, 2006 - 26 answers

MathFilter: Okay, I've got this gumball machine, which contains an infinite amount of gumballs, evenly distributed between 100 different flavors... [more inside]
posted by rifflesby on Sep 1, 2006 - 10 answers

Probability of one binomially-distributed variable being greater than another one - is there a closed form for this? [more inside]
posted by wanderingmind on May 25, 2006 - 11 answers

Probability: A coworker is having an issue with deriving a few formulas for a Weibull distribution. Any pointers? [more inside]
posted by TommyH on Nov 7, 2005 - 2 answers

Probability question (more...) [more inside]
posted by trharlan on Jan 24, 2005 - 16 answers

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..
posted by COBRA! on Dec 1, 2004 - 30 answers

If the likelihood of event A occurring is 15%, and the likelihood of independent event B occuring is 5%, what is the likelihood of EITHER event occuring? [more inside]
posted by sohcahtoa on Sep 10, 2004 - 12 answers