Mathematics Problem Of the Week

Spring 2002

POW #5

2 in 1,000,000,000

Select two (distinct) integers, at random, from among all the integers between one and one billion (including the endpoints).

(a) Is the sum of these two numbers more likely to be even, more likely to be odd, or is the probability exactly 50% for either event? Explain your reasoning.

(b) Answer the question if we randomly select three (distinct) integers and add them.

Due Friday, March 1^st at Noon.