Drexel dragonThe Math ForumDonate to the Math Forum  Ask Dr.
Math - Questions and Answers from our Archives  Law of Random
Numbers  Date: 12/22/97 at 17:47:25 From: Scott Christie
Subject: Law of random numbers  My question is about the law of
random numbers. I've recently been  debating over the lottery.
In Texas we choose 6 numbers between 1 and  50, so the
probability of winning is 1/50x49x48x47x46x45. If I were  to
list every combination of numbers they would all be equally
likely  to be drawn. So, for example, the combination 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6 should  be the same probability as say 5, 10, 18, 33,
45, 50.    It has been brought to my attention  that the law of
random numbers  changes the odds of picking numbers in order, or
close in order. I  have been told that numbers in order, such as
1,2,3,4,5,6, have a  smaller probability than numbers that are
more random.  Is this true  and how is it proven?  Date:
12/22/97 at 19:48:42 From: Doctor Tom Subject: Re: Law of random
numbers  Hi Scott,  First off, your p