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Puzzle for December 10, 2008

If you took a gift to a party where all the packages were randomly passed out to the guests at the end of the party, what is the probability of getting The Best Gift if there are 10 people at the party?

  • What if someone left early but did not get the Best Gift? (ie there are only 9 gifts left)
  • Or, maybe worse; what's the probability of getting the Best Gift if an extra person shows up (with a gift) just before the swap?
  • Remember, probability is measured as 1 in xxx or as a fraction (or decimal) of 1 over the number. This number is the answer! (not just the calculated number)

    Does it help to draw the setup for this?

    Aaron Gift 1
    Amy Gift 2
    Ben Gift 3
    Brittany Gift 4
    Chen Gift 5
    Christine Gift 6
    Demitri Gift 7
    Ed Gift 8
    Fred Gift 9
    Gina Gift 10

    See The Solution


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