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Divide the Stakes
Two persons sit down to play for a certain sum of money, and agree that the first who gets three games shall be the winner. One of them wins two games and the other one; but, being unwilling to continue, they resolve to divide the stakes. How much should each person receive?
Letter from Blaise Pascal to Pierre de Fermat, July 29, 1654
Click here to reveal the answer
The answer is: 3/4 of the money to the one that won two games, and 1/4 of the money to the one that won one game.
"Divide the Stakes," Convergence (December 2004)
