What are the odds?

[Crizzy]

So apparently according to the euromillions website the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 116531800.

I'm trying to put this into perspective somewhat and wondered what this would equate to in terms of flipping a coin and getting the same result?

How many times would I have to flip a coin and get heads to match the probability of winning the jackpot?

My maths fail me, can anyone shed some light on it?

Cheers you clever, clever people.

Edit: Is it as simple as tossing a coin 116531800 times getting the same result?? I'm so awful at probabilities!

 

[Josh]

'bout tree fidee.

 

[Mat]

Over 9000

 

[GinG]

Over 9001

 

[Kuros]

The odds of getting 27 heads in a row is one in 134.2 million

So, still not very likely.

 

[DaleTheWhale]

Are you flipping stalker coins?

 

[This never ends well]

Got more chance of seeing a pig fly than winning the euros.

 

[Tuppy_Glossop]

1/2 divided by 1/116531800

 

[delta0]

The odds of getting 27 heads in a row is one in 134.2 million

So, still not very likely.

This. 26.796 rounded up to 27.

Use natural log to rearrange the formula for n.

 

[Spook187]

Stick to flipping burgers OP

 

[Mynight]

Stick to flipping burgers OP

Cold .

 

[squerble]

If you want to know how probability works, just know that the chances of the Euromillions result being "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6" are exactly the same as the combination of numbers you usually put on.

 

[Orionaut]

Got more chance of seeing a pig fly than winning the euros.

That's what they say about getting an "Incorrect" DNA match to a suspect at a crime scene.

And yet, typically, somebody wins every week!

DNA evidence! This week, It could be you!

 

[Crizzy]

Stick to flipping burgers OP

Haha brutal

 

[Mynight]

That's what they say about getting an "Incorrect" DNA match to a suspect at a crime scene.

And yet, typically, somebody wins every week!

DNA evidence! This week, It could be you!

If somebody wins every week I suggest somebody stops leaving their DNA at crime scenes.

 

[Gilly]

6200+

 

[Judgeneo]

http://m.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=0.5^n+=+1/116531800&x=9&y=6

So about 27 heads ii nn a row

 

[Kuros]

If you want to know how probability works, just know that the chances of the Euromillions result being "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6" are exactly the same as the combination of numbers you usually put on.

While you are true, you can still play the system more than the average person.
(Whilst the intelligent thing to do is just not play).

1,2,3,4,5,6 is as likely to come up as any other combination, but I'd reckon there are a fair few people who go with this sort of logic so if it does come up, you'll be sharing your win.

Pick any of the 6 numbers above 31. Statistically speaking, people who actually choose numbers generally pick things that are important to them, birthdays of children/husband/pets and the like. Therefore, if you avoid them numbers, you've got less chance of sharing the winning

 

[Crizzy]

The odds of getting 27 heads in a row is one in 134.2 million

So, still not very likely.

This. 26.796 rounded up to 27.

Use natural log to rearrange the formula for n.

Cheers!

6200+

How'do you get that?

 

[NexusK]

Edit: Is it as simple as tossing a coin 116531800 times getting the same result?? I'm so awful at probabilities!

You would have to buy every combination of numbers for a single draw to guarantee winning it, so it would cost you £233million to guarantee you won a jackpot that can only ever be ~£166million at most. If you bought 116,531,800 lucky dips you still might not win it.