Pretty basic math question.

[krumcake]

My first name starts with a "K", my partner's name starts with an "A". (This is just an example, we could also have the same first letter for this question.) What is the chance that two other random couples have the same initials as us?

Don't forget to show your work [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[jay_shark]

I got an idea .

Enumerate all the names in this word that start with an A, B, C, ... Z and in total you should arrive at about 6 billion names ; this will be your denominator . Suppose the husbands name starts with a k and the wifes names starts with an A , then enumerate all the names that start with a k for the husband and A for the wife or A for the husband and K for the wife ; this should be your numerator .

Take the numerator and divide by the denominator .

[Lestat]

I've got a better question. How did you make that avatar so quickly? I've seen that clip 100 times, but didn't see a way to download it. I wish I knew more about capturing video.

Sorry for the hijack.

[Silent A]

[ QUOTE ]
I've got a better question. How did you make that avatar so quickly? I've seen that clip 100 times, but didn't see a way to download it. I wish I knew more about capturing video.

[/ QUOTE ]

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...age=0&vc=1

[Leaky Eye]

Names are not evenly distributed.

[krumcake]

[ QUOTE ]
I got an idea .

Enumerate all the names in this word that start with an A, B, C, ... Z and in total you should arrive at about 6 billion names ; this will be your denominator . Suppose the husbands name starts with a k and the wifes names starts with an A , then enumerate all the names that start with a k for the husband and A for the wife or A for the husband and K for the wife ; this should be your numerator .

Take the numerator and divide by the denominator .

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't get it...

Either you don't know how to do this, or I just got leveled.

I am not great at mathematics, but I want to figure this out.

I thought maybe it could be (26x26/2) x (26x26/2)

plz to be helping me. kthx

[thejoe1989]

2/26 * 1/26 * 2/26 * 1/26

or

1/114244

[T50_Omaha8]

Not enough information.

But, assuming all names (including you own) start with random letters:

(2/(26^2))^2 is the probability they both have the same initials given you have different initials

which is the same as what the last guy said:
[ QUOTE ]
2/26 * 1/26 * 2/26 * 1/26

or

1/114244

[/ QUOTE ]

If your names start with the same letters, then it's:

1/(26^4)

The probability your names start with the same letters is 1/26, different letters is 25/26, so I think the closest answer to the question as stated is

1/26^5 + (25/26)*(2/(26^2))^2