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From: postpischil@being.DEC (Always mount a scratch monkey.)
Newsgroups: net.puzzle
Subject: Lottery Tickets
Message-ID: <28@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 16-Dec-85 13:55:11 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.28
Posted: Mon Dec 16 13:55:11 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 20-Dec-85 06:02:25 EST
Sender: daemon@decwrl.UUCP
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 18

In regard to the lottery-ticket problem, we were first challenged to determine
the number of tickets which must be purchased in order to guarantee matching at
least a pair.  Then we were challenged to determine the number that guarantees
a triple.

I can see where this is heading, so I will jump to the inevitable conclusion
immediately.  The number of tickets that must be purchased in order to
guarantee matching all six numbers is 1,947,792 (36!/(30!*6!)).  (Send mail
if you would like a list.)

Since the jackpot sometimes exceeds this amount (because of a lack of winners
in previous drawings), it may occasionally be a good investment to purchase all
1,947,792 tickets.  The only drawback would be the possibility of having to
share the money with people who also have a winning ticket.


                                -- edp
                                (Eric Postpischil)