hi can anybody please explain how the probability is 1/(the big no)…
@gregmat hi your help would be much appreciated
Thanks in advance.
Probability = (number of winning chances)/(total number of possibilities)
In our case, you can only win the lottery if all of your selections correctly, i.e., your chance of winning the lottery is 1
Total number of possibilities = Total number of variations that can be formed using the rules of the lottery, which is the “big number” you’re referring to
Hence, probability = 1/(big number)
Hi thanks a lot for your response , basically i have the confusion regarding the “chance of winning the lottery”.
Total no of possibilities= “the big no” (no of ways in which we can select 5 no’s from 1-40)
chance of winning=“the big no” (basically if you are given numbers from 1-40 and you are asked to select 5 from them isn’t it the same “big no”)
This chance of winning= Total no of possibilities , thus i thought the probability is 1.
What is it that iam missing?
Nope.
You will only win the lottery for one specific set of numbers. All of the other people with a different set of numbers will lose their money.
Think of it this way:
If the probability was always 1, everyone would win the lottery right?
Ohhh I get it now 
Then , “Correctly select” in the question means selecting a particular set from the big set 1 to 40
I got confused with the phrasing … thanks a lot for the clarification
Cheers
Correct!
Cheers hahah 