Problem

A pair of fair $6$ -sided dice is rolled $n$ times. What is the least value of $n$ such that the probability that the sum of the numbers face up on a roll equals $7$ at least once is greater than $\frac{1}{2}$ ?

$\textbf{(A) } 2 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 3 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 4 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 5 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 6$

Solution

Rolling a pair of fair $6$ -sided dice, the probability of getting a sum of $7$ is $\frac16:$ Regardless what the first die shows, the second die has exactly one outcome to make the sum $7.$ We consider the complement: The probability of not getting a sum of $7$ is $1-\frac16=\frac56.$ Rolling the pair of dice $n$ times, the probability of getting a sum of $7$ at least once is $1-\left(\frac56\right)^n.$

Therefore, we have $1-\left(\frac56\right)^n>\frac12,$ or $\left(\frac56\right)^n<\frac12.$ Since, $\left(\frac56\right)^4<\frac12<\left(\frac56\right)^3,$ the least integer $n$ satisfying the inequality is $\boxed{\textbf{(C) } 4}.$

~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 2=

2022 AMC 10B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 11	Followed by Problem 13
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2022 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 12

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Solution 2=

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