[Math] Probability tree question

probability

3 tennis players A,B and C play in a tennis tournament. The first match is between A and B. The winner plays with C and so on until one player wins 2 matches (overall, not necessarily in a row). All 3 players are equally strong.

What is the probability that A, B or C wins the tournament?

My problem is that the solution in my book says that these probabilites are equal, but with my calculations it came out, that C has a smaller chance to win the competion.

Best Answer

Clearly $A$ and $B$ have the same chance of winning, and $C$ has whatever probability remains. So let's look at $A$.

There are unique sequences for $A$ to win in rounds $2$, $4$, $5$, $7$, ... (any nonmultiple of $3$, except for $1$). These sequences (of match winners) are:

$AA$

$BCAA$

$ACBAA$

$BCABCAA$

$ACBACBAA$

etc.

So the probability that $A$ wins in round $2,5,8,...$ is $\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{32}+\frac{1}{256}+\dots=\frac{\frac14}{\frac78}=\frac{2}{7}$

Similarly the probability that $A$ wins in round $4,7, 10,...$ is $\frac{1}{14}$.

Hence $A$'s overall chance of winning is $\frac{2}{7}+\frac{1}{14}=\frac{5}{14}$. $B$'s chance is the same, leaving $C$ with a $\frac{4}{14}$ chance of winning.