this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2023
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[–] TokyoMonsterTrucker@lemmy.dbzer0.com 16 points 1 year ago (3 children)

That's actually the best possible answer as it's a deeply stupid question. To many uncontrolled variables for a simple probability question.

Who are the other runners? If it's Usain Bolt vs. a 4th grader, the probability of the 4th grader winning approaches zero.

This fall, on Fox... Are You Faster than a 4th Grader?

[–] xavier666@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Assume there is a Michael, who on race day was mysteriously cloned 4 times in a perfect manner such that biologically and psychologically they are a perfect copy to the original. So there are now 4 Michaels plus one proto Michael.

Now they are put to a 100m race on a standard race track. Assume that the universe has normal randomness in wind and temperature variation. What is the probability that proto Michael wins the race?

[–] wumpus@latte.isnot.coffee 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Still not enough info. The race is legally a tie if the times are within a certain (I think a millisecond) interval, and with runners this similar in ability, the probability that nobody wins is non-zero.

[–] xavier666@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

The randomness in the air molecules are enough to case minor variation in finish timings. I think I should add that the observer can see the finish line with an accuracy of one Planck length and that observation uses a mysterious method which avoids Heisenburgs uncertainty principle. That should make the question well-defined 😆

THANK YOU. So much better.

[–] MonkderZweite@feddit.ch 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

10%. With exact clones it would be 0%, a draw. But with random influences, either of them has a 50% chance.

And /s if i'm wrong.

It's still 50/50, he either wins or he doesn't 😁 😂.