Probability of an Election Tie

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In summary, the probability of an election tie in a town of 4000 people with two candidates is calculated by finding all the ways to choose 2000 people and multiplying it by the probability of those 2000 people voting for one candidate. There is no need to multiply by 2 for the other candidate's vote as it is already considered in the initial calculation.
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[SOLVED] Probability of an Election Tie

Homework Statement



There is a town of 4000 people. What is a probability of an election with two candidates having a tie if each person has an equal probability of voting for each of the 2 candidates.

Homework Equations



:-)

The Attempt at a Solution




Okay, so I thought [tex]\binom{4000}{2000}[/tex] * 2 * [tex]\frac{1}{2}^{2000}[/tex] to find all the ways you can choose 2000 people from the 4000. Then you multiply by the probability of these 2000 choosing one candidate. You multiply everything by 2 since those 2000 could vote for the other candidate as well.

Does this sound like a reasonable answer or is there something I'm missing/doing wrong.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!
 
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  • #2
You don't need to multiply by 2 for the other candidate vote, as that was considered when you tried picking 2000 people, and picked exactly the other group of 2000 to vote for the first candidate
 
  • #3
Oh, right! Good call... Thanks! :-)
 

Related to Probability of an Election Tie

What is the probability of an election tie?

The probability of an election tie depends on various factors such as the number of candidates, the voting system, and the size of the electorate. It is difficult to accurately predict the probability of an election tie as it is a rare occurrence.

Can the probability of an election tie be calculated?

Yes, the probability of an election tie can be calculated using mathematical formulas. However, these calculations can only provide an estimate and are subject to error due to the complexity of elections.

What are the factors that can influence the probability of an election tie?

The probability of an election tie can be influenced by factors such as the number of candidates, the voting system used (e.g. first-past-the-post, proportional representation), the size of the electorate, and the distribution of votes among the candidates.

Are there any real-life examples of election ties?

Yes, there have been several instances of election ties in history. One of the most notable examples is the 2000 US Presidential election where the popular vote between George W. Bush and Al Gore was nearly tied, leading to a controversial Supreme Court decision to determine the winner.

What are the consequences of an election tie?

The consequences of an election tie can vary depending on the country and electoral system. In some cases, a tie may result in a runoff election between the top candidates. In other cases, the winner may be determined by a lot or a coin toss. In rare instances, the tie may lead to a power-sharing agreement between the top candidates.

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