Problem of the Week-4: A Fair Game?

Alice has 10 coins, Bob has 9. They agree to toss all their coins simultaneously. Whoever receives the largest number of heads will win. In case of a tie Bob will be declared the winner; so as to offset the advantage Alice has to begin with. Given this agreement, who is more likely to win?

Justify your answer.

Posted: 3/01/04

Submit your answers (by e-mail or hard copy) before 5 pm on 3/05/04 to Noah Aydin.

Mathematics Dept.