December 17, 2019
Problem of the Week
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Andy, Bob and Chris decide to engage in a secret Santa game. They place each of their names on three separate cards, fold them up and put them in a hat. Andy picks first to see who he will buy a present for. If he picks his own name, he replaces the card in the hat and draws again until he gets someone else. Bob selects after Andy and if he picks his own name, he replaces it and picks again until he gets someone else who will receive a gift from him. Chris picks last. If he picks his own name, all cards must be returned to the hat and the entire process must be repeated. What are the chances that the entire process will be repeated.