Dice and Polynomials – Part 2

Can polynomials help invent new dice?
Can polynomials help invent new dice?

In my last blog post, I explained how to quickly and easily work out, say, the number of ways to get a 10 on three dice, just by multiplying together some polynomials. It doesn’t have to be real dice of course. The trick works just as well for spinners, balls in a hat, or computer random number generators.

Continue reading Dice and Polynomials – Part 2

Dice and Polynomials – Part 1

Can polynomials help calculate probabilities?
Can polynomials help calculate probabilities?

Imagine you have two coins. One side is blank, and one has a single dot. You flip the coins. How many ways can you get 0 dots? How many ways can you get 1 dot? How many ways can you get 2 dots?

If you got answers like “1 way / 2 ways / 1 way” you got it right.

Continue reading Dice and Polynomials – Part 1