Hitting zero on a ring
Points are arranged clockwise on a circle. A token starts at point and each step moves one point clockwise or counter-clockwise with equal probability. What is the expected number of steps until it first reaches point ?
Show hints (2)+
- Cut the ring at : it becomes a path where both ends are the target ().
- Gambler's-ruin expected duration from with barriers at and is ; here , .
Answer
Reveal answer →Final answer
99
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Asked at: Jane Street, Two Sigma