I have 30% chance of winning the lottery tomorrow. Using this magical spell (bear with me), I increase the likelihood of winning by 100%.
Two interpretations:
1. I increase the chance by 100% (meaning 100% increase of existing 30%, becoming 60%)
2. I increase the chance by 100% (meaning additive 30% + 100%, giving me 130%, which logically gets reduced to 100%)
Which interpretation makes more sense?
2007-12-10 20:07:44 · 4 answers · asked by leikevy 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Neither. Probabilities should be represented as numbers between 0 and 1 inclusive. The statement is nonsensical (sorry). The English language is inherently ambiguous and also misused. It sounds like the communicator is trying to say that we should double the probability (which doesn't make much sense either).
The word "by" implied multiplication by 100% ==> 1.0. You would "increase" the probability by nothing. The answer is .30 which is (.30) X (1.00) = .30.
2007-12-10 20:17:11 · answer #1 · answered by Skeptic 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Number 1
[edit] If you increase anything by 100% then you are doubling the thing you are increasing. Since you are increasing your likelihood of winning, the correct interpretation is that you are going to have a 60% chance of winning.
Either way, you should buy a ticket!!!
2007-12-10 20:16:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the first one is obviously the right answer..it makes sense,plain and simple!
presuming that u got this sum as homework from school,i should say that the second possibility may be ruled out because the answer to that is infinite.it can be proved right or wrong.so obviously the school won't give u a sum which has a controversy in it.
so yeah it's the first one,after using the spell,you will have a 60% chance of winning the lottery,since your chances have been doubled.
hope u understand.good luck.
2007-12-10 20:17:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
One !
aside from the fact that 100% of 30 is 30 ,not 100
The definition of percentage is OUT OF ONE HUNDRED
x/100 that is why the symbol is %
30/100 = 30 %
A common misconception ( even with so called accountants I have met ) is that some thing is 100% profit
IT CAN NOT BE UNLESS YOU GOT IT FOR ZERO
BY at £50 sell at £150 is NOT 150% profit
It is 100/150 ( gain over total) = 66.6% profit
2007-12-10 20:23:29 · answer #4 · answered by SPARKFISH 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋