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I remember an exam in our probability class. Bayes, and all. The problem gave the probability of hitting a rabbit, but asked to compute the probability of killi
by Jugurtha 6y ago
I remember an exam in our probability class. Bayes, and all. The problem gave the probability of hitting a rabbit, but asked to compute the probability of killing the rabbit given certain premises.
I answered that there was no way to know, given that hitting the animal and killing the animal were not the same thing. Semantics matter. One of the professors was really into that debate (during the exam) and said I was right. The other said "What are you talking about... It's a rabbit". I asked what if I hit the rabbit in its tail or foot. He said "It's a rabbit", then curved his hand to mime a rabbit's foot, and said "if you hit the rabbit here, he'll die". I said what's the probability of the rabbit dying given you hit the foot?
The other professor taunted him saying I was technically right.
Anyway... I wrote that, for the exam, we'll consider that any hit is considered lethal, then proceeded to answer the question.
- goatinaboat 6y agowhat's the probability of the rabbit dying given you hit the foot? A rabbit who can’t run is easy prey for a fox or a buzzard so... pretty high?
- pavel_lishin 6y agoThe probability of any rabbit dying is 100%, eventually.
- toast0 6y agoThe probability of a rabbit dying is 1. Can't change that. Depends which foot then, I suppose. Probably a rabbit missing a rear foot is going to have a real hard time getting around, but one missing a front foot may be better able to adapt. We'll probably need to do a study to know for sure.
- goatinaboat 6y agoThe probability of a rabbit dying is 1. Can't change that. Right, I mean as a direct result of your hit, not in old age of myxomatosis, having had many baby bunnies To avenge him
- Jugurtha 6y agoThat came up in the "debate" when I was explaining my position :-D