Gambles are independent, and each one results in the player being equally likely to win or lose 1 unit. Let W denote the net winnings of a gambler whose strategy is to stop gambling immediately after his first win. Find

(a) P{W > 0}

(b) P{W < 0}

(c) E[W]

Short Answer

Expert verified

a) probability P[W>0]=12

b) probability P[W<0]=14

c)E[W]=0

Step by step solution

01

Part (a) - Step 1: To find

probability for[W>0]

02

Part(a) - Step 2: Explanation

Gambles are independent and there is an equal chance of winning or losing one unit.

W stands for a gambler's net winnings.

As a result, he immediately stops gambling following his first win.

If a man stops gambling after winning the first game, he will lose N-1times and win once if he gambles N times.

Then there's the chance that he'll play N times.

With a negative random variable r=1

P{N=i}=p(1-p)i-1Asp=1-p=12ThusP{N=i}=12i

If we wins the first game only then w>0

Hence P{W>0}=P{N=1}=12

03

Part (b) - Step 3: To find

Probability for[w<0]

04

Part (b) - Step 4: Explanation

Gambles are independent, and the chances of winning or losing one unit are both equal.

W stands for a gambler's net profit.

As a result, following his first win, he stops to gamble.

The later winnings are zero if he plays the second game.

Thus,

P{W<0}=1-(P{W>0}+P{W=0})=1

-(12+{losefirst,winthesecondgamble})=1-(12+p{losefirst}p{winsecondgamble})=1-(12+12.12)=1-34=14

05

Part (c) - Step 5: To find

Expected value ofW

06

Part (c) - Step 6: Explanation

Gambles are independent, and there is an equal chance of winning or losing one unit.

W stands for a gambler's net winnings.

As a result, he immediately stops gambling following his first win.

Find the formula for W first.

Let N be the number of gambles required until a win is obtained.

Then N is a geometric random variable.

With parameter

p=12

Of the N gambles,

There will be 1 win and N-1 loss.

Then

W=1-(N-1)=2-NThusE[W]=2-E[N]=2-1p=2-112=2-2=0

HenceE[W]=0

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