A Microsoft Interview Question (aka basic Bayes' Theorem)

[TomCollins]

This is all it takes to get a job at MS? Wonder what went wrong.

Number the chambers 1-6. 1-2 are loaded. So if your friend shoots and its empty, you know that he had 3-6. Only chamber 6 has the chamber next to it loaded. So your chances are 1/4 of dying.

On the other hand, if you choose one randomly, your chances are 2/6 = 1/3, which is worse.

So you shoot without turning the chamber.

[mr pink]

i'll give it a shot...after your friend blanks on his first shot, you've got at best 3 more blanks and at worst 0. there's really only 1 chamber that you have to be worried about, the one adjacent to the 2 remaining bullets...4 chambers - so 1/4 times, you'll be dead, and 3/4 times you'll survive. i'd rather take a 25% shot after my friend than another spin looking at 33% (2/6).

peace - jeff

[smartalecc5]

I havent read any replies but it is best to spin it again because if you spin it again you have 2/6 chance of being killed, but if you dont you have a 2/5 chance of dying.

2/6 < 2/5 so you should spin.

[TomCollins]

The amount of incorrect answers on this trivial problem baffle me.

[smartalecc5]

how is my response not correct?

[RJT]

Had he shot himself, are you better off spinning or not?

[dtbog]

[ QUOTE ]
The amount of incorrect answers on this trivial problem baffle me.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're obviously superior to those who knew the answer but chose not to post... and certainly leagues above anyone who attempted the problem and got an incorrect answer.

Enjoy that little ego boost!

-DB

[dtbog]

[ QUOTE ]
Had he shot himself, are you better off spinning or not?

[/ QUOTE ]

For the love of God, spin! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

If he shot himself, you're 50/50 to die.

-DB

[dtbog]

[ QUOTE ]
how is my response not correct?

[/ QUOTE ]

Your response is wrong because you didn't take into account the information that you learned from your friend surviving the pull of the trigger. Remember, the bullets are in adjacent chambers.

Think about that.

-DB

[RJT]

I know - it was a joke (or an attempt at one).