I know it involves factorials, and have figured the odds for 5 and 5+powerball, but am having trouble figuring 4 of 5 on down. How does someone figure the odds of not getting all the numbers. Any real help is appreciated
2006-09-02 05:58:59 · 2 answers · asked by bigdinsc 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
I will have to admit that I cheat on this one. The odds are printed on the back of the form that you pick your numbers on, at least in the state of California. OK, I'm lazy. At least this will help you check your answers.
Games currently offered by the California Lottery are:
* MEGA Millions -- Players choose 5 numbers from 1 to 56 and a MEGA number from 1 to 46. There are 9 ways to match and win. In fact, you can win even if you just match the MEGA number. To win the Jackpot, you must match all five numbers plus the MEGA number. Winning numbers are drawn every Tuesday and Friday at 8:00 p.m. MEGA Millions costs $1 dollar to play and is expected to give players regular opportunities at over $100 million jackpots.
Prize Categories and Odds:
Match Odds 1 in Prizes
All 5 of 5 and Mega
175,711,536
Jackpot Pari-mutuel**
All 5 of 5 3,904,701 Pari-mutuel**
Any 4 of 5 and Mega 689,065 Pari-mutuel**
Any 4 of 5 15,313 Pari-mutuel**
Any 3 of 5 and Mega 13,781 Pari-mutuel**
Any 3 of 5 306 Pari-mutuel**
Any 2 of 5 and Mega 844 Pari-mutuel**
Any 1 of 5 and Mega 141 Pari-mutuel**
None of 5, Only Mega 75 Pari-mutuel**
Overall odds of winning 39.89
* SuperLotto Plus -- Players choose 5 numbers from 1 to 47 and a MEGA number from 1 to 27. There are 9 ways to match and win. In fact, you can win even if you just match the MEGA number. To win the Jackpot, you must match all five numbers plus the MEGA number. Winning numbers are drawn every Wednesday and Saturday at 7:57 p.m. SuperLotto Plus costs $1 dollar to play and is the game featuring a multi-million jackpot prize.
Prize Categories and Odds:
Match Odds 1 in Prizes
All 5 of 5 And Mega
41,416,353
Jackpot Pari-mutuel**
All 5 of 5 1,592,937 Pari-mutuel**
Any 4 of 5 and Mega 197,221 Pari-mutuel**
Any 4 of 5 7,585 Pari-mutuel**
Any 3 of 5 And Mega 4,810 Pari-mutuel**
Any 3 of 5 185 Pari-mutuel**
Any 2 of 5 And Mega 361 Pari-mutuel**
Any 1 of 5 And Mega 74 Pari-mutuel**
None of 5, Only Mega 49 Pari-mutuel**
Overall odds of winning 23
2006-09-02 06:09:48 · answer #1 · answered by F. Frederick Skitty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since order isn't important, the odds of getting m things chosen from a universe of n things is
n!/(m!*(n-m)!)
Also called 'n choose m'
Doug
2006-09-02 06:03:14 · answer #2 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋