The Problem of the Unfinished Game

Jeff Atwood

30 Dec 2008 — 1 min read — Comments

Today’s post is a simple question.

Let’s say, hypothetically speaking, you met someone who told you they had two children, and one of them is a girl. What are the odds that person has a boy and a girl?

Consider your answer carefully, without doing a web search, or reading the comments to this post. Don’t cheat – but be prepared to explain your reasoning, because the solution might surprise you.

It’s almost like some kind of conspiracy or something.

probability logic mathematics

In yesterday’s post, I asked this question: Let’s say, hypothetically speaking, you met someone who told you they had two children, and one of them is a girl. What are the odds that person has a boy and a girl? Most people answer 50%. Unfortunately, this isn’t

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