document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=315170>Question 315170</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Consider a state lottery that has a weekly television show.  On this show, a contestant receives the opportunity to win $1 million.  The contestant picks from four hidden windows.  Behind each is one of the following: $150,000, $200,000, $1 million, or a \"stopper\".  Before beginning, the contestant is offered $100,000 to stop.  Mathematically speaking, should the contestant take the $100,000?   </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #225629 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=225629\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Consider a state lottery that has a weekly television show. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "On this show, a contestant receives the opportunity to win $1 million. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "The contestant picks from four hidden windows. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Behind each is one of the following: $150,000, $200,000, $1 million, or a \"stopper\". <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Before beginning, the contestant is offered $100,000 to stop. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "-------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let random variable X be the players gain over 100,000 if he plays.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "X Values: 50,000, 100,000, 900,000, 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Probs:::: 1/4, 1/4, 1/4, 1/4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "E(x) = (1/4)(50,000+ 100,000+ 900,000+ 0) = 262,500<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Mathematically speaking, should the contestant take the $100,000? <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Absolutely Not.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "=======================<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );