a basketball team is down by 2 points with 10 seconds left. they can attempt a 2 - point shot with an 80%…

a basketball team is down by 2 points with 10 seconds left. they can attempt a 2 - point shot with an 80% chance of success, or a 3 - point shot with a 40% chance of success. if they make the 2 - point shot, the game goes to overtime. if they make the 3 - point shot, they win. which option has a higher expected value in terms of winning the game? expected value = probability × shot value\n2 - point shot\n3 - point shot\nthey are equally likely to win.\nit depends on the opponents skill.
Answer
Answer:
- First, calculate the expected - value for the 2 - point shot:
- The probability of making the 2 - point shot is (P_2 = 0.8). If they make the 2 - point shot, the game goes to overtime. In overtime, assume the probability of winning is (0.5). So the probability of making the 2 - point shot and then winning in overtime is (0.8\times0.5 = 0.4). If they miss the 2 - point shot (with probability (1 - 0.8=0.2)), they lose. The expected value of the 2 - point shot for winning the game is (E_2=0.8\times0.5+0.2\times0 = 0.4).
- Then, calculate the expected - value for the 3 - point shot:
- The probability of making the 3 - point shot is (P_3 = 0.4), and if they make it, they win. If they miss (with probability (1 - 0.4 = 0.6)), they lose. The expected value of the 3 - point shot for winning the game is (E_3=0.4\times1+0.6\times0 = 0.4).
So the answer is: They are equally likely to win.