Data Management (probability) question, help please?

[reechard]

This question may be done either mathematically (if possible), or via. simulations (such as using python, java, etc.)

How thick does a coin have to be in order to have a given (for our sake, let's use 1/4) chance of landing on its edge? everything related to physics should be ignored, such as bouncing and friction.

Could anyone please work out a solution for this, for me please? Thanks!

[Tony]

reechard @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:00 pm wrote:

Could anyone please work out a solution for this, for me please? Thanks!

Welcome. You must be new to the education system that you are in. Fear not, it's not that complicated. Please familiarize yourself with your school's policy on academic dishonesty. It should be about the same as in every other school in Canada.

[A.J]

Here at compsci.ca, we don't do your work for you. On the other hand, we will gladly help you iff you show some interest in what you are doing by showing some work you have already done (as opposed to merely asking us to do your work for you).

[RandomLetters]

The probability of a coin with some thickness landing on its edge is given by the equation

P = uTQ

where u is the viscosity of soft butter, T is the thickness in m of the edge of the coin, and Q is the probability of a person deciding to stick the coin into a piece of buttered toast.

Sub in values and solve for T.

[Dratino]

That being said, I'm pretty sure there is no elementary solution to this problem, so you couldn't get much help even if you weren't inhibited by academic honesty.

[Tony]

well since

Quote:

everything related to physics should be ignored

we could devise some scenario for this. Lets say we are using a coin as a railgun's projectile. The spin and distance will be folded into a single random variable. This becomes a fairly straight forward calculation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7JAL3XHdDg#t=50s