Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Orrex

(67,017 posts)
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 11:27 AM Dec 2025

Statistics/Math Question

In my tool bag I have nine black Sharpies and one silver Sharpie.

If I need a black one and I reach into my bag blindly to grab one, what are the odds that I’ll get the silver one every single damn time?

Of course, if I want the silver one, I’ll blindly draw all nine black ones first.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Statistics/Math Question (Original Post) Orrex Dec 2025 OP
Ah Yes..I've had this action quite more than a few times. chouchou Dec 2025 #1
The only thing I remember from the one statistics course... 3catwoman3 Dec 2025 #2
It depends. The Madcap Dec 2025 #3
Good question Orrex Dec 2025 #4
Yeah, what you need to do is "sample without replacement" GopherGal Dec 2025 #6
I would... 2naSalit Dec 2025 #5
That's not a statistics question, that's a Chaos Theory question... malthaussen Dec 2025 #7

chouchou

(3,110 posts)
1. Ah Yes..I've had this action quite more than a few times.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 11:47 AM
Dec 2025

You'll pick the black ones IF you also hit the Power-Ball jackpot twice on the same day.
You are Welcome!

3catwoman3

(29,273 posts)
2. The only thing I remember from the one statistics course...
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 12:24 PM
Dec 2025

…I was forced to suffer thru is the bigger the N the better, and the smaller the p the better. That’s it.

If I wanted to make sure I got the silver pen, I would just cheat and open my eyes.

Orrex

(67,017 posts)
4. Good question
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 01:07 PM
Dec 2025

Generally I get the silver on the first pull, keep it in hand, and am certain to draw a black one on the second pull. But if I were to return the silver one to the bag, I’d draw it again 100% of the time.

GopherGal

(2,883 posts)
6. Yeah, what you need to do is "sample without replacement"
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 03:43 PM
Dec 2025

If you keep returning the one you draw back to the bag, your odds remain the same for each draw. So what you need to do is set aside the one you drew until you get the one you want. In statistics this is called an "urn problem" Of course, the probability calculations by statisticians don't incorporate the Murphy's Law effect that dictates the 100% rate of getting the less desired color...

2naSalit

(102,229 posts)
5. I would...
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 01:11 PM
Dec 2025

Grab as many as I could and see if the silver one is there in my hand. If not there, grab the rest of them so I would say the answer is 2. (As confirmed by Ray Magliottzzi, the answer is 2).

malthaussen

(18,549 posts)
7. That's not a statistics question, that's a Chaos Theory question...
Fri Dec 5, 2025, 03:15 PM
Dec 2025

... or, really, a Murphy's Law question, and the answer is "every damn time."

-- Mal

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»Statistics/Math Question