Monday, November 30, 2015

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Today’s the last day of November, so I’ll soon have a decision: what should I do with my facial hair? Cast your vote now!

It’s a low-scoring game, but a fun mathematical situation.

Rob Russell	Elaine Baker	Joyce Hshieh
3,000	4,100	4,800

Tonight’s Final Jeopardy! category is:

U.S. HISTORY

First-order calculations

Joyce needs to go big to cover Elaine; Elaine can cover Rob without falling below Joyce on a double stumper.

Rob		Elaine		Joyce
3,000		4,100		4,800
FIRST-ORDER		SECOND-ORDER		COVER ZERO
min	max	min	max	min	max
600	800	1,900	2,700	3,400
	1,600
				1,200

Second-order calculations

Lots of mind games here, which I explore in my video.

Rob		Elaine		Joyce
3,000		4,100		4,800
FIRST-ORDER		SECOND-ORDER		COVER ZERO
min	max	min	max	min	max
600	800	1,900	2,700	3,400
	1,600	500	1,300	2,000
	200		300	1,200

Zero wagers

Score differences:
Joyce and Elaine: 700
Joyce and Rob: 1,800
Elaine and Rob: 1,100

Rob		Elaine		Joyce
3,000		4,100		4,800
FIRST-ORDER		SECOND-ORDER		COVER ZERO
min	max	min	max	min	max
600	800	1,900	2,200	3,400	3,600
1,100	1,600	700	1,100	2,000
	200		300		700

Then we add a dollar to the minimum wagers, and subtract a dollar from the maximum wagers.

What actually happened

Rob		Elaine		Joyce
3,000		4,100		4,800
2,999		701		3,401
1		3,399		8,201
min	max	min	max	min	max
601	799	1,901	2,199	3,401	3,599
1,101	1,599	701	1,099	2,001
	199		299		699

I guess Rob’s wager makes more sense in light of Elaine’s wager – he can pass her if they’re both right but he gives it up if he’s wrong. I still would have preferred something smaller.

Still awaiting our first name on the Tournament of Champions leaderboard!

The Final Jeopardy! clue

U.S. HISTORY

IT’S THE ONLY ODD-NUMBERED YEAR IN WHICH A U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HAS BEEN HELD

[spoiler]What is 1789?[/spoiler]

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