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JeffJor 4 days ago

Bertrand's Box Paradox, which I wrote about in my own comment, applies to it. The upshot is that probability is not based on which prize placements _could_ lead the current game state, it is the set of all possible game states. Lets assume that the contestant starts off with door #3.

Case 1: The prize is behind door #1, and the host must open door #2. Probability 1/3.

Case 2: The prize is behind door #2, and the host must open door #1. Probability 1/3.

Case 3: The prize is behind door #3, and the host has a choice. Case 3A: The host opens door #1. Probability Q/3. Case 3B: The host opens door #2. Probability (1-Q)/3.

If the host actually opens door #1, the probability that door #2 has the prize is (Case 2)/(Case 2 + Case 3A) = (1/3)/(1/3+Q/3) = 1/(1+Q).

If the host actually opens door #2, the probability that door #1 has the prize is (Case 1)/(Case 1 + Case 3B) = (1/3)/(1/3+(1-Q)/3) = 1/(2-Q).

My point is that, since you get to see which door is opened, 2/3 is correct only if you assume Q=1/2. We aren't told what Q is, but we must assume it is 1/2 because otherwise the answer is different depending on which door is chosen.

zeroonetwothree 4 days ago | parent [-]

Well if we frame the question as “what is the probability of winning by always switching” then this doesn’t play into it and the answer is indeed 2/3. Hence as a question about general strategy the standard answer is correct.

You’re right if we are asking about a specific case though.