Jim and Renee will play one game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Jim and Renee will play one game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. In this game, each will select and show a hand sign for one of the three items. Rock beats Scissors, Scissors beat Paper, and Paper beats Rock. Assuming that both Jim and Renee have an equal chance of choosing any one of the hand signs, what is the probability that Jim will win?
Answer/Solution
1/3
Steps/Work
There are 3*3=9 combinations (cases) possible. In 3 cases there will be a tie (rock-rock, scissors/scissors, paper/paper). Now, out of 6 cases left Jim and Renee have equal chances of winning, so in 3 cases Jim will win and in other 3 Renee will win. So the probability Jim winning the game is (favorable outcomes) / (total # of outcomes) = 3/9 = 1/3.
Or: no matter what sign Renee will select Jim can select 1 sign to win, 1 sign to get tie and 1 sign to loose, so the probability Jim winning the game is 1/3.
Answer: E.
Or: no matter what sign Renee will select Jim can select 1 sign to win, 1 sign to get tie and 1 sign to loose, so the probability Jim winning the game is 1/3.
Answer: E.