
How many sides?
@Reader
The Probability Formula
What Makes a Dice Roller Random?
In a perfectly fair six-sided die, each face has an equal probability of landing face-up. This probability is 1/6 for each number (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6).
The fundamental formula in probability is:
P(A) = n(A) / n(S)
Where:
- This represents the probability of event “A” occurring. In simpler terms, it’s the chance that something specific will happen.
- This is the number of favorable outcomes for event “A.” It’s how many ways the event you’re interested in can happen.
- This is the total number of possible outcomes in the sample space “S.” The sample space includes every possible result of an experiment.
Essentially the probability of an event is the ratio of the number of ways that event can happen to the total number of things that could possibly happen.
So for example: in our six-sided die. The sample space (S) is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} so n(S) = 6. Let’s say event “A” is rolling an even number. The favorable outcomes (A) are {2, 4, 6} so n(A) = 3. Therefore, the probability of rolling an even number is:
P(A) = n(A) / n(S) = 3 / 6 = 1/2.
Dice in Games
Classic Dice Games include:
- Yahtzee: A very popular game involving rolling five dice to create specific combinations for points (e.g., Full House, Large Straight).
- Craps: A well-known casino game where players bet on the outcome of the roll of two six-sided dice.
- Farkle: A game where players roll six dice and try to get specific combinations (e.g., three of a kind, straight) to score points.
- Liar’s Dice: Players roll dice in secret and then bet on the number of dice showing a certain value across all players, with the possibility of lying about their rolls.
- Pig: A simple game where players take turns rolling a die, accumulating points, but risk losing points if they roll a 1.
- Ship, Captain, and Crew: Players roll five dice to try and get a ship (a 6), captain (a 5), and crew (a 4), and then use the remaining dice to accumulate the most points.
Modern Games Involving Dice:
- Dungeons & Dragons (D&D): A tabletop role-playing game (RPG) where dice (usually 20-sided, but others too) determine the outcomes of actions, battles, and skill checks in an ongoing narrative.
- Monopoly: A classic board game where players use dice to move around the board, buying properties and competing to bankrupt their opponents.
- Warhammer 40k: A miniatures wargame where dice rolls determine the success of attacks and actions. The dice used vary in type, often including six-sided and twelve-sided dice.
- Star Wars: Edge of the Empire: A narrative RPG that uses a unique set of dice (custom dice with symbols) to resolve actions and adventures within the Star Wars universe.