Four honest dice

Probability Level pending

Four independent, 6-sided fair dice are rolled.

If the probability that the total sum is 14 can be expressed as a b , \frac ab, where a a and b b are coprime positive integers, what is a + b ? a+b?


The answer is 721.

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2 solutions

Mark Hennings
Oct 14, 2018

The coefficient of x 14 x^{14} in ( x + x 2 + x 3 + x 4 + x 5 + x 6 ) 4 (x+x^2+x^3+x^4+x^5+x^6)^4 is the coefficient of x 10 x^{10} in ( 1 + x + x 2 + x 3 + x 4 + x 5 ) 4 = ( 1 x ) 4 ( 1 x 6 ) 4 = ( 1 4 x 6 + ) j = 0 ( j + 3 j ) x j (1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + x^4 + x^5)^4 \; = \; (1-x)^{-4}(1-x^6)^4 \; = \; \big(1 - 4x^6 + \cdots\big)\sum_{j=0}^\infty \binom{j+3}{j}x^j and so is ( 13 10 ) 4 ( 7 4 ) = 146 \binom{13}{10} - 4\binom{7}{4} = 146 making the probability 146 6 4 = 73 648 \tfrac{146}{6^4} = \tfrac{73}{648} , and so the answer is 73 + 648 = 721 73 + 648 = \boxed{721} .

Kees Vugs
Oct 14, 2018

There are 36^4 outcomes without the restriction of the sum of 14 points. With this restriction and with an 1 or a 6 on the red dice 2x21 outcomes. With this restriction and a 2 or a 5 on the red dice 2x25 outcomes. With this restriction and a 3 or a 4 on the red dice 2x27. Probability 146 1296 \frac{146}{1296} = 73 648 \frac{73}{648} . a + b = 721.

Can you elaborate more briefly?

Parth Sankhe - 2 years, 7 months ago

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