Two players shooting a target alternately

probabilityprobability theorystatistics

Two players A and B shoot a target alternately, until somebody hits it and wins the game. Player A takes the first shot. Each time they take a shot, their probabilities of hitting the target are $p$ and $q$ respectively. Which is the probability $\mathbb{P}$ that A wins?

Is the following solution correct ?

A wins if :

he wins with the $1$st shot or

they both fail to hit it during the first $2$ shots, and A hits it with the $3$rd shot or

they both fail to hit it during the first $4$ shots, and A hits it with the $5$rd shot or

So,

$$
\mathbb{P} = p + (1-p)(1-q)p + (1-p)^2(1-q)^{2}p + … =
p\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}[(1-p)(1-q)]^n =
\cfrac{p}{p+q-pq}
$$

Thank you in advance

Best Answer

yes, it is correct.

Alternatively, you can condition on the first outcome. If $A$ doesn't win in the first outcome, the first two trials must be failure and then it is a renewal process.

$$\mathbb{P}=p + (1-p)(1-q)\mathbb{P}$$ $$(1-(1-p)(1-q))\mathbb{P}=p$$ $$\mathbb{P}=\frac{p}{1-(1-p)(1-q)}$$