chickenman
chickenman
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October 25th, 2013 at 9:51:47 AM permalink
The new format began drawings this week. Pick 5 of 75 (!) plus the Megaball of 15 numbers.
Here's the paytable and odds according to the site.

Match Prize Odds
5 + 1 JACKPOT 1 in 258,890,850
5 + 0 $1,000,000 1 in 18,492,204
4 + 1 $5,000 1 in 739,688
4 + 0 $500 1 in 52,835
3 + 1 $50 1 in 10,720
3 + 0 $5 1 in 766
2 + 1 $5 1 in 473
1 + 1 $2 1 in 56
0 + 1 $1 1 in 21
The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 14.7. The odds presented here are based on a $1 play.

I get 1 in 15 for the $1 prize, but it clearly states 1 in 21. Am I missing something very obvious here, or is this just an error?

Edit to correct typo
MathExtremist
MathExtremist
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October 25th, 2013 at 9:53:32 AM permalink
You need exactly 0 matches on the 5 of 75. This is a common miscalculation -- PB even has a website FAQ on it:
http://www.powerball.com/pb_contact.asp#odds
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice." -- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
chickenman
chickenman
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October 25th, 2013 at 10:08:59 AM permalink
Got it.
ThatDonGuy
ThatDonGuy
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October 25th, 2013 at 5:08:47 PM permalink
Quote: chickenman

The new format began drawings this week. Pick 5 of 75 (!) plus the Megaball of 12 numbers.
I get 1 in 15 for the $1 prize, but it clearly states 1 in 21. Am I missing something very obvious here, or is this just an error?


For one, there are 15 numbers for the Megaball, not 12. I get 1 in 20.535 using 15.
EDIT:That's strange...the second time I do it, I get 1 in 21.3906
98Clubs
98Clubs
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October 25th, 2013 at 6:03:49 PM permalink
Using a Casio Calculator...

(75C5 / 70C5) * 15 ~= 1 in 21.39
Some people need to reimagine their thinking.
chickenman
chickenman
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Joined: Nov 1, 2009
October 26th, 2013 at 8:51:21 AM permalink
Quote: ThatDonGuy

For one, there are 15 numbers for the Megaball, not 12. I get 1 in 20.535 using 15.
EDIT:That's strange...the second time I do it, I get 1 in 21.3906


Yep, edited to correct to 15
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