Related Formula
S∞ = (a)/(1 - r)$$S_{\infty} = \frac{a}{1 - r}$$
Where S∞$S_{\infty}$ is the sum of an infinite geometric progression, a$a$ is the first term, and r$r$ is the common ratio.
Core Logic
Let success (S$S$) be rolling a 2, and failure (F$F$) be rolling anything else.
P(S) = (1)/(6)$P(S) = \frac{1}{6}$
P(F) = (5)/(6)$P(F) = \frac{5}{6}$
We want the probability that the first success occurs on an even number of throws (2nd, 4th, 6th, $\dots$).
The sequence of events for success on even throws is:
Required Probability = P(F)P(S) + P(F)³ P(S) + P(F)⁵ P(S) +$$\text{Required Probability} = P(F)P(S) + P(F)^3 P(S) + P(F)^5 P(S) + \dots$$
= ((5)/(6))((1)/(6)) + ((5)/(6))³((1)/(6)) + ((5)/(6))⁵((1)/(6)) +$$= \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)\left(\frac{1}{6}\right) + \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^3\left(\frac{1}{6}\right) + \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^5\left(\frac{1}{6}\right) + \dots$$
Step 1: Compute Infinite Series Sum
This is an infinite geometric series with:
First term a = (5)/(6) × (1)/(6) = (5)/(36)$a = \frac{5}{6} \times \frac{1}{6} = \frac{5}{36}$
Common ratio r = ((5)/(6))² = (25)/(36)$r = \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^2 = \frac{25}{36}$
Applying the sum formula:
S∞ = ((5)/(36))/(1 - (25)/(36))$$S_{\infty} = \frac{\frac{5}{36}}{1 - \frac{25}{36}}$$
= ((5)/(36))/((11)/(36))$$= \frac{\frac{5}{36}}{\frac{11}{36}}$$
= (5)/(11)$$= \frac{5}{11}$$
Pattern Recognition
For alternating success/failure probabilities P(Even) = (q · p)/(1 - q²)$P(\text{Even}) = \frac{q \cdot p}{1 - q^2}$ and P(Odd) = (p)/(1 - q²)$P(\text{Odd}) = \frac{p}{1 - q^2}$. Knowing this format immediately turns it into a 5-second mental calculation: ((5/6)(1/6))/(1 - 25/36) = 5/11$\frac{(5/6)(1/6)}{1 - 25/36} = 5/11$.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Mathematics: Probability
Class 11 Mathematics: Sequences and Series