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 Simple solution by Federico Kereki)

That is a beautifull answer.

In particular, it means that the chinese policy of alowing one child or two depending on the sex of the first one does not affect the biological ratio of men and women (notice that Federico's beatifull argument works even if the biological ratio is not 50%).

Posted by ajosin on 2005-03-04 01:29:01