Question: Whats your favourite paradox.

Heather Eyre answered on 23 Jun 2013:

If I’d been born on 29th of Feb during a leap year I’d say me as I’d only of had 6 birthdays, but I wasn’t even born in the right year for that!

So, I’d say the game show paradox – switching.

I’ll try my best to explain:

I have the choice of three boxes, A/B/C, one is right and has a prize in, two are wrong and I get nothing.

I pick a box (C)

the game show host then takes away one wrong box (B).

The question is then : should I stick with C or switch to the other box (A)?

It might seem like a 50/50 choice but you are almost twice as likely to win the prize by switching!

It’s hard to explain why without a diagram but here goes:

Box C has 1/3 chance of winning, so boxes A and B together equal 2/3.

When the host takes away box B, I know that box had to have been a wrong one – so choosing A is like choosing box A and B together (2/3) – so I have more chance of winning than sticking with my original C.

That doesn’t mean the prize wasn’t in C and I’d definitely be gutted if it was!