8 Jul
2010
8 Jul
'10
7:49 a.m.
Mike Speciner wrote: << Yes. I suppose a simple rephrasing of the problem... Suppose you continually flip a coin, with [probabilities of] p and q as you describe. Notice every time you get H. What is the fraction of Ts? Another question is, are there plausible rules of heredity and reproduction that would alter the Boy/Girl ratio if "families" ceased reproducing at the first boy, but not if they stopped randomly?
Yes, exactly. That point of view fully justifies Gene's Book solution, even for a biased coin. And shows that any "stopping" condition like H or THT is equally a red herring. I sleep as fast as possible so I can get more rest in the same amount of time.