There are 3(A,B,C) participants participating in the competition. The first question is asked to A, next one to B and the next to C and this repeats. There are 3 ways in which an answer is scored, wrong guess: 1 point, partial answer: 2 points and correct answer: 3 points. The person who scores 4 points or above first wins the competition. The probability of scoring 1, 2 or 3 points for a question is same and also the same for every participant. Find the probability that A wins the competition if a question with a wrong guess or partial answer doesn't pass on to the others.

(In reply to clarification please by Daniel)

I assumed, since it says that the probability is the same for each participant, no one gains a chance of winning by copying a previous correct answer. I'd think the last clause was really unnecessary, as elimination of incorrect answers is also ruled out by the probability statement.

Posted by Charlie on 2009-01-25 16:33:28