Question

The Powerball lottery for a certain region is set up so that each player chooses five different numbers from 1 to 59 and one Powerball number from 1 to 35. A player wins the jackpot by matching all five numbers in any order from the 1 to 59 group and matching the Powerball number.
Suppose that there is a drawing in which the Powerball lottery jackpot is promised to exceed​ $500 million. If a person purchases​ 175,223,510 tickets at​ $2 per ticket​ (all possible​ combinations), isn't this a guarantee of winning the​ jackpot? Because the probability in this situation is​ 1, what's wrong with doing​ this?
Question content area bottom
Part 1
Choose the correct answer below.
A.
It​ isn't realistically possible to buy all​ 175,223,510 tickets.
B.
The probability of winning is not​ 1, since there are more than​ 175,223,510 tickets due to other people participating.
C.
The prize is shared among all winners. This person is guaranteed to​ win, but not guaranteed to win​ $500 million.
D.
There is nothing wrong with doing this.

Answer 1

C.

Buying every combination does guarantee you hold the winning combination, but you are not guaranteed to receive the full advertised jackpot. If one or more other players also pick the winning combination, the jackpot is split among the winners. In addition, practical issues (purchase limits, time/logistics), taxes, and whether the jackpot is paid as an annuity or lump sum can further reduce your take.