The neat thing is that the chances of a 16-0 season are the same as a 8-8, 0-16, 9-7, or 2-14 season

[Rabrrrrrr]

Math is cool.

:thumbsup:

[Dr. Strange]

1. Math IS cool.

It's even more cool when bikinis are involved!

[Parche]

2. 69 is better

That is cool math.............:bounce: :bounce: :hi:

[Kutjara]

3. Unless the probability distribution is normal.

In that case, outcomes near the median are more likely than extreme results.

[northzax]

4. nope.

this would work only in the case that each particular game had a random outcome. a Football game does not have a random outcome.

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. But that's a statistical problem

Not a purely probability problem.

[northzax]

6. not at all

if the Pat's probability of winning any particular game is 2:3, then the probability that they will go 16-0 is higher than the probability they will go 0-16.

[redqueen]

7. Mmmmmm

sexy math geekiness.

:bounce:

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. But a 2:3 probability is a statistical probability for a sports game.

Not an absolute probability.

Now, I'm not a mathematician, I'm an engineer, so perhaps mathematicians don't make the distinction I'm making. I think they do, but it's only my thinking. If I'm wrong, correct me. But if memory serves, in my prob and stats class (which I aced, by the way; but also aced 20 years ago, so memory is cloudy), I'm pretty sure we learned that there is (or at least can be) a difference between statistical probability and absolute probability

(and when I say "or at least can be", I think of the instance of the Schroedinger wave equation, in which the statistical probability is the absolute probability as well, because there is no way to determine an "absolute" probability in that case; or the case of an atom spontaneously spitting out a radioactive particle, for instance).

[trof]

9. This ranks right up there with the Marion Jones on steriods thread.

Must be a slow news day.
;-)

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. Jimmy Hoffa WAS gay, you Hitler, so stop saying he wasn't.

At least, I assume that's what you meant with your pro-war post.

:eyes:

[trof]

11. THE HELL HE WAS!

I'm here to tell ya...Jimmy NEVER came on to me.
Never EVER.
And I gave him every chance.
We still talk on the phone once in a while.
Haven't seen him in ages.