<p>In my Random Walks class, I first learnt about this — there is always a first time you visit something and a last time, as being put together in the quote above. A bit philosophical way to start the conversation for a problem, but I hope you will find the statement relevant in your life as well as in this problem. For new readers, I have recently started a new series where I bring interesting probability puzzles and their solutions. You can also contribute your problems or solutions to this series, by reaching me out on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishi-dey-chowdhury/" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/rishidarkdevil" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rishidarkdevil/" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or <a href="mailto:
[email protected]" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Email</a>.</p>
<p>The problem goes like this…<br />
<strong>A line of 100 airline passengers are waiting to board a plane. They each hold a ticket to one of the 100 seats on that flight. For convenience, let’s say that the <em>n-th </em>passenger in line has a ticket for the seat number <em>n. </em>Being drunk, the first person in line picks a random seat (equally likely for each seat). All of the other passengers are sober, and will go to their proper seats unless it is already occupied; In that case, they will randomly choose a free seat. You’re person number 100. What is the probability that you end up in your seat (i.e., seat #100) ?</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/@rishidarkdevil/the-drunk-passenger-problem-554ebb7bd151"><strong>Learn More</strong></a></p>