click here for the plus home page
© 1997-2004, Millennium Mathematics Project, University of Cambridge.
Permission is granted to print and copy this page on paper for non-commercial use. For other uses, including electronic redistribution, please contact us.
September 1998
Regulars

The hint - world cup medallions


Let X[n]= T[n] - T[n-1] where T[n] is the number of medallions collected when you first own n different medallions. Hence X[1]=1, but what do we know about X[n] for other values of n?

It might also help to remember, if X and Y are random variables, the average (or expectation) of X + Y is the same as the expectation of X + the expectation of Y. In symbols we may write this as

Have fun!

We will publish the best explanation in the next issue, along with the answer to the problem itself. Please submit your answer, with explanation, to Any comments?