THE WAY TO BET. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1149, 6 December 1873, Page 5

THE WAY TO BET. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir-— lf, out of a certain number of events, one only can and must happen, the chances against and in favour of any particular one happening may be represented by two fractions whose sum is unity (the numerators being the numbers representing the odds, and the common denominator being the sum of the odds), and i£ the chances or odds be correctly stated, the sum of all the fractions representing the chances in favour of the several events will be equal to unity.

To bet without the possibility of losing, and with the certainty of winning, if (as is usually the case) the chances, or odds, be incorrectly given : State all the chances in fractions, aa above, against and in favour of the several events happening. Find the "least common multiple" of all the denominators. Beduce these fractions to others having the "least common multiple*' as their common denominator, and the numerators will be the amounts to be bet against and in favour of each event.

If the sum of all the amounts to be bet ia favour of the events exceeds the "least common multiple," and you bet against all, you will win the difference, whichever event happens j but if their sum be less, you must bet in favour of all, and you will likewise win the difference ; but if the chances be correctly stated, their sum will equal the "least common multiple," and you wdl then neither win nor lose either way — always supposing that all the bets are paid.

The rule may be shortly applied thus :— Writ© all tbe possible events in a column, placing opposite to each the odds offered against it, as below ; this will give two columns of figures (I. and II.) For the third column (III.) add together the odds on each event. Find the "least common multiple" of all the numbers in columa 111, and put it at the bottom of the coiunan. Tor the fourth column (IV.), divide the "least common multiple" successively by the numbers in column 111. For the fifth and sixth columns (V. and VI.), multiply successively the numbers in columns I. and 11. by those in a line with them in column IV,

Bet the amounts in column. V. against those opposite them in column VI., when the sum total of column VI. is greater than the *' least common;multiple," and bet {those in column VI. against those in column. V. when the total of column VI. is less.

Here, if ifc be a race, and you bet in pounds, you win four pounds whichever horse comes in first. — I am, dtc., A. Z.

An act of truly diabolical mischief on the part of children ia recorded with deservedly severe strictures by the Freemantle Herald. It would seem from our contemporary's ac^ count of the affair that the children of West* crn Australia delight in torturing each other. Some horrible boys — supposed to be of the " better class " — having deliberately digged several shallow holes and then strewn the bottom of them with broken glass, points up, completed this hideous child-trap by covering the holes over with brushwood, and the latter with sand, so as to assimilate its appearance to that of the adjacent ground. The trap was not long without an occupant, for presently an unfortunate boy came along and stepped into one of the pitfalls, and being without shoes the ball of one of his feet received frightful lacerations. His shrieks of pain soon attracted attention, he was promptly carried home and medical assistance procured, but his life was despaired of for some time, an artery and seven veins having been severed. Mischievous and heartless as boys too frequently are, we are yet thankful to say that the devilish spirit which dictated the above wanton and wicked act of is not yet loosed ia this Colony,

EVENTS. i. ii. in. IV. V. VI. A B C D The field 2 to 3 against 4„ 1 „ 5„ 1 „ 9» 1 » 14 „ 1 » 5 5 6 10 15 6 6 5 3 2 12 to 18 24 „ 6 25 „ r> 27 „ 3 28 „ 2 " Least common multii tie".. 30. Total .. 34