Re^8: Marilyn Vos Savant's Monty Hall problem (odd odds)

I don't get it. Why include both "son,daughter" and "daughter,son" in the equation, when the order is - as far as I can see - ireelevant? To me it's 50/50 anyhow, but thanks for a particularly well documented answer :)

Comment on Re^8: Marilyn Vos Savant's Monty Hall problem (odd odds)

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Re^9: Marilyn Vos Savant's Monty Hall problem (odd odds) by zby (Vicar) on Aug 24, 2004 at 14:40 UTC
To start with an even probability distribution. If you would take unordered pairs that is "two sons", "two daughters" and "son and daughter" the last case would have two times bigger probability that the first two and in my opinion that would make it more difficult to think about.	[reply]
Re^9: Marilyn Vos Savant's Monty Hall problem (odd odds) by tilly (Archbishop) on Aug 24, 2004 at 14:23 UTC
Pedagogical reasons. While you're right that there is a symmetry that makes the order not matter, I wanted to avoid all potentially confusing shortcuts. Being explicit may bore, but it is less likely to confuse.	[reply]