postpischil@being.DEC (Always mount a scratch monkey.) (12/16/85)
In regard to the lottery-ticket problem, we were first challenged to determine
the number of tickets which must be purchased in order to guarantee matching at
least a pair. Then we were challenged to determine the number that guarantees
a triple.
I can see where this is heading, so I will jump to the inevitable conclusion
immediately. The number of tickets that must be purchased in order to
guarantee matching all six numbers is 1,947,792 (36!/(30!*6!)). (Send mail
if you would like a list.)
Since the jackpot sometimes exceeds this amount (because of a lack of winners
in previous drawings), it may occasionally be a good investment to purchase all
1,947,792 tickets. The only drawback would be the possibility of having to
share the money with people who also have a winning ticket.
-- edp
(Eric Postpischil)