Suppose you get to choose between two envelopes, and all you know is that one contains $x and the other $2x. Once you choose and open the envelope, you are given the option to take whatever is in the other envelope instead.
Since it's a 50-50 proposition (whether the other envelope has more money in it or less), but you have more to gain than to lose (If 1st envelope contained $2000, then you'll either lose $1000 or gain $2000 by switching), you should definitely switch, right? On the other hand, this logic applies no matter how much money was in 1st envelope, so you'll ALWAYS switch, so why not go straight to the 2nd envelope? But "2nd envelope" means nothing if you have yet to choose, so it really makes no difference what you do! Can someone please explain this paradox?
2007-03-12
03:04:04
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7 answers
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asked by
blighmaster
3
in
Mathematics