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r s asked in Science & MathematicsMathematics · 1 decade ago

Dice probabilities and calculations?

How do I calculate the probabilities for rolling a certain number on 2 standard dice? Specifically:

1. The probability of rolling at least one 8 in 2 throws?

2. The probability of rolling exactly one 8 in 2 throws?

3. The probability of rolling no 8's in 60 throws?

4. The probability of rolling 8 60 times in a row?

:-) Thanks!

1 Answer

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    You first need to know that there is a 5/36 probability of rolling an eight on any throw. This is because there are 36 total outcomes for the dice and the following yield an eight:

    2,6

    3,5

    4,4

    5,3

    6,2

    1. The probability that you roll at least one eight in two throws is one minus the probability that you roll no eights. The probablity that the first throw is not eight is 1-5/36=31/36. Same for the second throw. So the answer is 1-((31/36)*(31/36)).

    2. The probability that the first throw is eight and the second is not is: 5/36*31/36. The probability that the first throw is not an eight and the second is an eight is the same. So the answer is 5/36*31/36+5/36*31/36=2*5/36*31/36.

    3. Same reasoning as in 2: 1-(31/36)^60.

    4. For each throw, there is a 5/36 probability of rolling an eight. So (5/36)^60.

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