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#1 2012-07-04 07:11:22
- anna_gg
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Bus stop
A public bus arrives at the bus stop sometime between 6:00 and 6:30.
A passenger arrives at the same bus stop some random time within this time interval. What is the probability that the passenger catches the bus within 5 minutes from the time he arrives at the stop?
#2 2012-07-04 09:35:25
- bobbym
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Re: Bus stop
Hi anna_gg;
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#3 2012-07-04 09:43:21
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Bus stop
I got .
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#4 2012-07-04 09:53:48
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Re: Bus stop
Hi anonimnystefy;
Yes, that is what I am getting now also. Very good!
Although this is a continuous probability we can model it with a discrete one.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#5 2012-07-04 10:41:01
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Bus stop
Last edited by anonimnystefy (2012-07-05 03:04:28)
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#7 2012-07-04 20:03:37
- bobbym
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Re: Bus stop
Hi anna_gg;
Where does the problem come from?
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#8 2012-07-04 20:47:28
- anna_gg
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Re: Bus stop
anonimnystefy wrote:
Are you sure the result is 1/72? I am getting 15/72!
#9 2012-07-04 20:50:43
- anna_gg
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Re: Bus stop
bobbym wrote:
Hi anna_gg;
Where does the problem come from?
It was in one of my son's final exams in high school. Obviously he did it all wrong - he got 1/6 
#10 2012-07-04 22:17:29
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Re: Bus stop
Hi anna_gg;
That is what I got at first too. Did they give him some partial credit for getting the same answer as I did?
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#11 2012-07-04 22:46:41
- anonimnystefy
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Re: Bus stop
Hi anna_gg
My answer is 11/72 and not 1/72 and it is same as bobbym's so I deduce that it is correct.
The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#12 2012-07-04 23:02:25
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Re: Bus stop
Hi anna_gg;
Anonimnystefy's answer is 11 / 72 not 1 / 72. I am pretty sure that it is the correct answer because it can be derived in 3 different ways.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#13 2012-07-05 01:41:33
- anna_gg
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Re: Bus stop
bobbym wrote:
Hi anna_gg;
Anonimnystefy's answer is 11 / 72 not 1 / 72. I am pretty sure that it is the correct answer because it can be derived in 3 different ways.
Sorry, that's what I meant, 11/72. I am just saying that:
5/6 * 1/6 + 1/6 * 5/12=15/72, isn't it?
#14 2012-07-05 01:45:06
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Re: Bus stop
Hi;
That equals 5 / 24.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#15 2012-07-05 01:57:15
- anna_gg
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Re: Bus stop
anna_gg wrote:
bobbym wrote:
Hi anna_gg;
Anonimnystefy's answer is 11 / 72 not 1 / 72. I am pretty sure that it is the correct answer because it can be derived in 3 different ways.Sorry, that's what I meant, 11/72. I am just saying that:
5/6 * 1/6 + 1/6 * 5/12=15/72, isn't it?
OK got it:
Anonimnystefy, it's 5/6 * 1/6 + 1/6 * 1/12 (and not 5/12)=11/72
The area of the triangle you are referring to, is (1/6 * 5/30)/2 = 1/6 * 1/12
#16 2012-07-05 02:09:36
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Re: Bus stop
Hi anna_gg;
Probably just a typo.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#17 2012-07-05 02:16:46
- anna_gg
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Re: Bus stop
bobbym wrote:
Hi anna_gg;
Probably just a typo.
Obviously, no worries
BTW my son got 2/5 on this question
#18 2012-07-05 02:20:02
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Re: Bus stop
Hi;
Is that good?
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#19 2012-07-05 02:31:23
- anna_gg
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Re: Bus stop
NO He got 2 points out of 5 for this question... That's the partial credit you were referring to...
#20 2012-07-05 02:35:03
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Re: Bus stop
Sorry to hear that. Probability problems are tough for everybody, tell him not to feel bad. Personally, I feel the problem is too strong for high school.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#21 2012-07-05 03:32:57
- anna_gg
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Re: Bus stop
bobbym wrote:
Sorry to hear that. Probability problems are tough for everybody, tell him not to feel bad. Personally, I feel the problem is too strong for high school.
Not if you are a candidate to the polytechnic
#22 2012-07-05 03:35:00
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Re: Bus stop
Which one?
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#23 2012-07-05 04:05:43
- anna_gg
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Re: Bus stop
bobbym wrote:
Which one?
In Greece - National Technical University of Athens. We are Greeks
#24 2012-07-05 04:09:19
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Re: Bus stop
Very good! You must be very proud of him. What would he like to do as his life's work?
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#25 2012-07-05 04:26:59
- anna_gg
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Re: Bus stop
bobbym wrote:
Very good! You must be very proud of him. What would he like to do as his life's work?
He wants to become a mechanical or electrical engineer.