May 21, 2019
Problem of the Week
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Arnold and Betty are having trouble deciding whether to tie the knot and get married. Arnold comes up with a way of deciding. He places four separate pieces of string in his hand and closes his fist, leaving four dangling ends on one side and four dangling ends on the other. Betty then ties two ends together on one side and Arnold, without looking, ties two ends together on the other. Betty then ties the two remaining dangling ends together on her side and Arnold does the same on his side. They both agree to marry if the four pieces of string now form one closed loop. What are the chances that they marry?