Petersberg Paradox

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2 total messages Started by Brian D. Carlson Mon, 12 Oct 1992 15:13

#478

Author: Brian D. Carlson
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 15:13

20 lines
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	Hello,

	I am looking for information concerning the nameing of a certain
paradox. It is called the Petersberg Paradox. Can anyone tell me why it
is called the Petersberg Paradox?

	The Petersberg Paradox goes something like this:

	The probability distribution of X is given by f(x) = (1/2)^x for
x = 1, 2, 3, ..., infinity. The expectation E(2^x) does not exist.

	in other words a players expectation is infinite if he/she is to
receive 2^x dollars when in a series of flips of a balanced coin, the
first head appears on the xth toss.

	If available sources would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian D. Carlson
carlson@unomaha.edu

test

#485

Author: fiyk303
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 14:32

22 lines
1233 bytes

In article <carlson.718902816@cwis>, carlson@cwis.unomaha.edu (Brian D. Carlson) writes:
> 	Hello,
> 
> 	I am looking for information concerning the nameing of a certain
> paradox. It is called the Petersberg Paradox. Can anyone tell me why it
> is called the Petersberg Paradox?
> 
> 	The Petersberg Paradox goes something like this:
> 
> 	The probability distribution of X is given by f(x) = (1/2)^x for
> x = 1, 2, 3, ..., infinity. The expectation E(2^x) does not exist.
> 
> 	in other words a players expectation is infinite if he/she is to
> receive 2^x dollars when in a series of flips of a balanced coin, the
> first head appears on the xth toss.
> 
> 	If available sources would be appreciated.
> 
> Thanks,
> Brian D. Carlson
> carlson@unomaha.edu
>

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