Rolling dice to get a pair...odds?

[fkovalski]

Help settle an argument/ discussion at work.



What are the odds of rolling ANY given pair of dice?



I say 1 in 6. The first die sets on any number (say, 3 for argument) Then the second has a 1 in 6 chance of hitting the 3.



Co- workers are saying that this is true if one were to roll 2 dice SEPARATLY!



They say the odds are higher if the dice are rolled at the same time.



I say BOGUS!



I am trying to find some link to eventually show odds for rolling like numbers for 2,3,4,5 dice to come up with same numbers.



My logic for hitting ANY pair (or like kind if more than rolling 2):

2 dice = 1 in 6... ... ... ... ... ... ..... =6

3 dice = 1 in (6x6)... ... ... ... ... ... =36

4 dice = 1 in (6x6) x 6... ... ... ... . =216

5 dice = 1 in ((6x6) x6) x6... ..... =1296



Am I correct in my reasoning?

 

[HOBrian]

Outcomes: 1:36 chance of getting any number when you have two dice. 2 dice (6x6) = 36

 

[RustyJC]

With 2 dice, you have a 1 in 6 chance of getting a pair - any numbers. This is because with the first die you don't care what number comes up. With the second die, you have a 1 in 6 chance of matching it. Another way to look at it is that there are 6x6=36 possible combinations, but 6 of them are pairs, so the odds of rolling a pair consisting of any numbers are 6 out of 36, or 1 in 6.



However, you have a 1 in 36 chance of getting a specific pair - boxcars, for example. That's where the 6x6=36 comes into play.



Rusty

 

[BigEasy]

Outcomes: 1:36 chance of getting any number when you have two dice. 2 dice (6x6) = 36

Brian has the right answer...

 

[fkovalski]

Brian has the right answer...

Yes, I agree with Brian's reply for (as he stated correctly) "any number. "... but as Rusty put into words better that I... . the odds for any unspecified pair would be 1:6.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Dice=Plural, Die=Singular

Co- workers are saying that this is true if one were to roll 2 dice SEPARATLY!

I think this should say die instead of dice.

 

[klenger]

On rv.net this thread would go on for 6 pages before being closed by the moderator.