Department of Statistics Seminar
North Carolina State University
 
 
Presents
 
 
Dr. Ronald Waserstein
 
Executive Director of ASA
 
 
 

What Probability and Forrest Gump Teach Us About Lotteries

ABSTRACT

In just a few decades, lotteries have become nearly ubiquitous in the US as a resource for state funds.  In this non-technical talk, we will look at how lotteries (including the North Carolina Education Lottery) work and what your chances are of striking it very rich.  Then we will use a computer game to simulate participation in a lottery.  We'll see that we can learn from Forrest Gump a valuable lesson, even beyond his mama's immortal words, "Stupid is as stupid does."

Friday, January 9, 2009

3:35 pm-4:35 pm

232A Withers

Refreshements will be served outside of 232A Withers at 3:00pm. 

NOTE: No food or drink should go into any of the classrooms.