Science

MarkCharles

(2,261 posts)

2. THANKS!!! Look forward to it! My question:

Mon Feb 20, 2012, 04:51 PM

Feb 2012

When do the odds approach 99% 95% 90% 80% 70% ETC?

How would one calculate THOSE kinds of odds without doing iterative calculations?

Is there a formula to start with plugging in 95% 90% 80% etc. as the desired outcome and figuring out what the sample size needs to be? I'm sure there is. I'm sure I might have learned this in statistics and probability in college, but I forgot how to do that. Does it have a name? How can I search for the formula or theorem?

EDIT TO ADD: OH SHIT... your graph has all the answers!!!! "BIRTHDAY PARADOX"

If I ever were teaching a high school math class, or substituting in one, I would use this paradox to start the class.

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British Numberphile: - 23 and Football Birthdays [View all] MarkCharles Feb 2012 OP

Usually called the birthday problem. dipsydoodle Feb 2012 #1

THANKS!!! Look forward to it! My question: MarkCharles Feb 2012 #2

The oddity can be dipsydoodle Feb 2012 #4

Seasonal variances, yes, proving that the math is not... MarkCharles Feb 2012 #6

Okay, smarter person than me, now can we... MarkCharles Feb 2012 #3

Life insurance dipsydoodle Feb 2012 #5

No, You, smarter, more informed, and me, less protected from... MarkCharles Feb 2012 #7

You can use the same method to show that over 95% of women... TheMadMonk Feb 2012 #8

Um... NO! MarkCharles Feb 2012 #10

I think you mean the same person may be assualted multiple times. TheMadMonk Feb 2012 #11

No, I meant what I said. MarkCharles Feb 2012 #12

I first learned this as a freshman in college. The prof explained it, then asked .... Scuba Feb 2012 #9