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IDoMath

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5. That's one of two valid strategies

Wed Nov 28, 2012, 02:14 PM

Nov 2012

If you don't buy a ticket you can't win.
If you buy 1 ticket you chances rise from 0 to 1 in 175M. It's an infinitesimal chance but you've increased your odds by an inifinite amount. (1/0)
If you buy 2 tickets you only increase your chances by a factor of 2.
If you buy 3 tickets you only increase your chances by a factor of 1.5.
Every additional ticket is a diminishing return.

So, only buy 1.

-OR-

buy all 175,000,000 variations. With a cash payoff of $361M that's a guaranteed profit $186M.

Anybody got $175M I can borrow?

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43 replies

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Highlight:

Powerball jackpot boosted again to $550M (could be increased again as the drawing nears) [View all] Omaha Steve Nov 2012 OP

Only a 75 percent chance that someone will win. tinrobot Nov 2012 #1

1 in 75 million chance of winning! NICO9000 Nov 2012 #2

That's one of two valid strategies IDoMath Nov 2012 #5

Don't forget you'd win tons of smaller prizes too... Thav Nov 2012 #8

I was thinking the same thing. KewlKat Nov 2012 #9

So, less than being hit by lightning... sofa king Nov 2012 #12

Do the math ... VWolf Nov 2012 #14

DOH!!!!! IDoMath Nov 2012 #18

LOL No worries. n/t VWolf Nov 2012 #23

Um, I think the $361M is the 'after-tax' figure from the jackpot of $550M. Even so, were coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #39

Not a bad strategy until you have to deal with this math...... W T F Nov 2012 #22

You can have the machine generate the numbers for you. VWolf Nov 2012 #25

They tried in the past IDoMath Nov 2012 #31

Bravo! Instant DUZY! Tip of my hat! - n/t coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #40

Not to mention, at an inflation rate of 3% per year....... W T F Nov 2012 #42

That's what I'm doing. GoCubsGo Nov 2012 #29

Um, tickets cost $2. So the cost would be $350 million (175 million x $2) - n/t coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #38

There is a greater chance of Grover Norquist drowning in his bathtub. Dakota Flint Nov 2012 #32

Actually, odds are 1 in 175 million (and change). I think your odds of coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #37

Meh. Let me know when it gets up to real money. nt onehandle Nov 2012 #3

Agreed. VWolf Nov 2012 #16

I will be only spending 2.00 loyalkydem Nov 2012 #4

You shouldn't have done that... Thav Nov 2012 #6

Same for me Debau2005 Nov 2012 #13

Word of advice to anyone reading... Atypical Liberal Nov 2012 #7

Very sensible... brooklynite Nov 2012 #11

I may consider purchasing a ticket, or two question everything Nov 2012 #10

Buy 360 million more lotto tickets? Separation Nov 2012 #17

They do have other prizes VWolf Nov 2012 #21

Not surprising that the odds are stacked against you question everything Nov 2012 #28

Actually, they're double that now. GoCubsGo Nov 2012 #30

They changed the rules a few years back to increase the payout, while at the same time they RC Nov 2012 #34

That's not fair. ElboRuum Nov 2012 #36

can you buy them online? qazplm Nov 2012 #15

Certain states are Powerball enabled Panasonic Nov 2012 #20

Why isn't California on that list? Duer 157099 Nov 2012 #24

Where is the list? n/t Atypical Liberal Nov 2012 #26

here Duer 157099 Nov 2012 #27

A trust fund will be established Panasonic Nov 2012 #19

If I win, I can be an over-monied asshole like Mitt Romney! Fuddnik Nov 2012 #33

Sorry you have to be born to it..... Dakota Flint Nov 2012 #35

Bravo! Another instant DUZY! Tip of my hat! - n/t coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #41

I'm thinking of all the congressional seats I could buy -nt democrat2thecore Nov 2012 #43