dices

[julia w]

if you had 2 dice what are the odds of throwing any numbers that would total the number 5.

[QmunkE]

4/36 (or 1/9)

36 combinations or rolls, fives at:

1 + 4
2 + 3
3 + 2
4 + 1

[markwh]

I calculate a 1 in 9 chance.

There are 6 x 6 = 36 possible combinations when 2 dice are thrown.

4 of these combinations (1+4, 2+3, 3+2, 4+1) give the total score of 5.

Hence there is a 4 in 36 (or 1 in 9) chance of the dice totalling 5.

[Quizmonster]

Odds in gambling-type situations such as dice-throwing are usually expressed as "so many to so many", as in '5 to 1' or '7 to 2' etc. In this case, a reasonable player should quote you the accurate odds of '8 to 1 against', as the figures in the above answers suggest. (Of course, a bookie wouldn't offer you those odds, as he has to build in a profit margin for himself!)

[Andy Cheever]

Quizmonster's right as the question is asked - the ODDS are 8 - 1 against.

The PROBABILITY is 1/9 (one ninth)

[whqttt]

There are 6 x 6 = 36 possible outcomes, but only the following 4 outcomes produces totals to five:

1,4 2,3 3,2
4,1


That means that there are 36 - 4 = 32 ways in which the two dice can not roll a five. Therefore, the odds against rolling a five are 32-to-6 or (reducing) just over 5-to-1.

I think. Mebbe. Then again I just posted a question about odds myself, so what do I know?