One for the mathematicians

[Wanderer]

Ok here we go.

In the lottery.

Ball number 6

Would the odds be the same for it to be drawn as the first ball out, than they are for it to be the last (bonus) ball?

[yer auld aunt nelly]

By my reckoning. proberly  :(biglaugh):  :(biglaugh):

[Rangie3.0LtrDan]

i dont think the odds are the same as the first ball out leaves 48 balls, 2nd leaves 47 etc... down to the bottom, the 6th ball out leaves 43 balls.  So there were 44 balls when 6th ball was taken and 43 balls for the bonus.

[ChrisW]

I'd say it all depends on what the cut is  

[Wanderer]

That is my thinking.
1st ball 49/1

7th ball 49/1 plus the odds on it not being drawn in the previous 6 balls less the odds of the fact that there's only 43 balls left so at that point it would be 43/1.

so is it 49/1
43/1
or some combination combining the odds of it being pulled out in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th place?

[Rangie3.0LtrDan]

i think it would work out somthing like:

Ball 1 = 49/1
Ball 2 = 48/1
Ball 3 = 47/1
Ball 4 = 46/1
Ball 5 = 45/1
Ball 6 = 44/1

Bonus Ball = 43/1

[Damonski]

I think its all a con and it always will be until I win  :D

[xmob]

At the start of the draw, any ball has the same odds of being drawn 1st, 2nd ... 6th, 7th.

ie There is just as much chance that number 42 will be drawn 6th as there is number 33 will be drawn 1st.

I haven't explained that very clearly, have I?   :?

[Sheddy]

Not clearly at all.  TYhe laws of odd, chance and probability are all different.

I prefer sods law, if it can go wrong it will.

[way2deep]

it obviously stands a better chance of coming out as the bonus because it has less competition ,by this time there are six less balls to compete against..comprehendy :D

[Manicminer]

At the very start before any ball is drawn then all 49 balls have the same chance. 49/1

After the first 6 balls have been drawn then the bonus ball has less competition. 43/1 but only at that point.

[littlepow]

The odds just to get a number are about 1 in 2.42, This is regardless of when the specific number is drawn.

[Sooty]

Right, my turn to try and explain it as best I can.
Let us first of all make it a little easier, in stead of 49 balls lets use 10.
First ball out has a 1 in 10 chance (9/1)
The second has a 1 in 9 chance    (8/1)
Third                   1 in 8 chance    (7/1)
Fourth                 1 in 7 chance    (6/1)
Fifth                    1 in 6 chance    (5/1)
Sixth                   1 in 5 chance    (4/1)
And the bonus ball as there is now only 4 ball left in the space helmet has a 1 in 4 chance of being picked    (3/1)
Having said that because 7 balls are being removed every ball has a 7 in 10 chance of comming out by the end of the draw.
Therefore in the lotto draw because the order they are drawn in does not matter the 6 main balls have a 6 in 49 (48/6) or (8/1) chance of being in the draw but the bonus ball has a 1 in 43 chance of being the bonus ball (42/1)
Sort that one out if you can. :?
This is the gospel acording to Sooty and not the view of mud-club  :lol:
All of the information in this post may be subject to change without notice or reason. :lol:  :lol:
Therefore you have a 8/1 chance of winninig the Lotto draw I DON'T THINK SO :(stoopid):
Isn't maths great  :twisted:

[Bob696]

1/43 chance of being drawn as the bonus ball EXCEPT that you have to figure in that it might have been one of the first 5 balls drawn therefor reducing its chance of being drawn as the bonus ball. If it hasnt been drawn 1-5 then the chances are 1/43