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For all his brilliance, Erdos was unable to answer the Monty Hall Problem correctly: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Hall_problem http://en.wikipedia.org/wik

For all his brilliance, Erdos was unable to answer the Monty Hall Problem correctly: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Hall_problem http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Hall_problem. For those who don't know it, the problem requires no math except a very basic grasp of probability. Personally, I find it somewhat absurd that you can be considered a mathematical legend but still miss that problem. I think it even took Erdos some time (months) to accept the solution, but I don't have a citation for that. He's not alone, either. Lots of mathematicians miss that problem, which makes me wonder about the fundamentals of a Math education.

hugh3 16y ago
I really hate to start yet another Monty Hall Problem discussion, but it's worth noting that the Monty Hall Problem is often ambiguously phrased -- it's not specified whether the host has to open a door to show a goat or not. If Erdos got confused, it's probably because he heard an ambiguous version.
travisjeffery 16y ago
...Really? You find that absurd that he just made a simple goof to a fun problem like that? Believe me, Mathematicians are spending their time focused on much more important and difficult problems than the Monty Hall problem, so don't wonder too much. And even by your own admission it involves no mathematical ability so why couldn't a Mathematician not get it, right?
troels 16y ago
That's a silly reasoning you have. One mistake doesn't invalid a persons entire integrity. All this proves, is that Erdős wan't god.