Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Oliver Wright on 18/10/2009 17:30:03

Title: Is there really such a thing as 'deep maths'?
Post by: Oliver Wright on 18/10/2009 17:30:03

Oliver Wright  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris

I have just been listening to some great questions (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/) on your podcast (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/) and wondered about Derren Brown's predicting the lottery trick.

Is there really such a thing as 'deep maths'?

Is it true that there are ways to win at heads and tails by choosing a sequence?

Do you think the team of volunteers can up with those numbers or did he substitute them at the last minute?

Thanks very much in anticipation

Oliver Wright

What do you think?

Title: Is there really such a thing as 'deep maths'?
Post by: Geezer on 18/10/2009 18:32:43

Yes!

.....and, for a mere two hundred quid I will send you a copy of my world famous book,

 "How to Beat the Casino and Keep Your Kneecaps"

Please forward credit card details to:


Honest Geezer

Purveyor of Dodgy Math to Susceptible Sophisticated People

Title: Is there really such a thing as 'deep maths'?
Post by: wolfekeeper on 18/10/2009 21:31:31

There's no way to beat a random sequence; so a fair toss or game is impossible to beat using any maths at all.

Of course, analysis of coin tosses shows slight variances; coins don't usually turn over enough times to even it out.

For the national lottery though, the mixing is very thorough, and no amount of maths can improve your chances of winning; however, you can improve the amount you win by picking numbers that nobody else is likely to pick; but you still lose, on average by playing the lottery.

Title: Is there really such a thing as 'deep maths'?
Post by: Geezer on 19/10/2009 03:19:38

Oi! Wot's your game then? Trying to scare away the punters customers, eh? You might get a visit from my thug associate One-Round.

Title: Is there really such a thing as 'deep maths'?
Post by: Soul Surfer on 19/10/2009 08:19:16

To answer your question properly Oliver.  In any truly random game of chance (and not all are truly random) there is no way of predicting outcomes.  The trick is to identify those games in which outcomes are not truly random and exploit these weaknesses in various ways.