In one nation, having a daughter is traditionally prefferable to having a son. Therefore, a couple will continue to have children until a daughter is born. Once they have a daughter, they will stop. (Assume that it is possible for a couple to have an unlimited number of children)

If the chance of a boy or a girl being born is equal, what would be the ratio boys to girls in this country?

(In reply to Wasn't it obvious? by TomM)

Actually, it's not obvious at all... For example if the number of children was limited to a finite number, there would be a higher amoung of boys than girls.

(This is the case in China where the government strongly encourages parents to stop after one birth, but allows a second child if the first one is female)

Only because we allow for the "ideal" case of a couple having infinite children does the ratio even out.

Posted by levik on 2002-07-08 08:20:58