Here's an interesting problem sure to stump your friends and neighbors. The
question is,
"What is the smallest number of people you would need in the same room so
that the probability that at least two of them share the same birthday is 50%?"
For example, if we've got 366 people in the room, then the probability that at
least two have the same birthday is exactly 100% (exclude leap years). Similarly,
if we have only say 4 people in the room, then the probability that two have the
same birthday is very close to 0.
Well, what do you think the answer is? Some people might say 200 people,
others guess about half of 365, or 180 people. Incredibly, the answer is 23!!!!!!!!
Mathematical Solution
Solution Using JAVA Random Date Applet