Writing odds with a colon

Yesterday, (Email Removed) abed:
[nq:1]In my region (Connecticut, USA), I sometimes see chances of winning (even on forms for the state lottery!) written thus: ... a roughly 16.67% chance. Is this improper usage? I would expect "1:6" to mean 1-in-7 (that is, a 14.29% chance).[/nq]
You've highlighted the difference between "chances" and "odds". If the chances (or chance or probability) of s

[nq:2]In my region (Connecticut, USA), I sometimes see chances ofwinning ... expect "1:6" to mean 1-in-7 (that is, a 14.29% chance).[/nq]
[nq:1]You've highlighted the difference between "chances" and "odds". If the chances (or chance or probability) of something's occuring is 25%, ... against its occuring are 3:1. So if something's odds are 1:6, it's less likely than if its probability were 1:

[nq:2]In my region (Connecticut, USA), I sometimes see chances of ... expect "1:6" to mean 1-in-7 (that is, a 14.29% chance).[/nq]
[nq:1]You've highlighted the difference between "chances" and "odds". If the chances (or chance or probability) of something's occuring is 25%, ... against its occuring are 3:1. So if something's odds are 1:6, it's less likely than if its probability were 1:6.[/nq]

[nq:1]In my region (Connecticut, USA), I sometimes see chances of winning (even on forms for the state lottery!) written thus: ... a roughly 16.67% chance. Is this improper usage? I would expect "1:6" to mean 1-in-7 (that is, a 14.29% chance).[/nq]
It depends on what you mean by "odds". If you are betting on a horse race, then "odds" means the payback on a bet. If a horse goes off at 4:1 (to w

[nq:2]In my region (Connecticut, USA), I sometimes see chances of ... expect "1:6" to mean 1-in-7 (that is, a 14.29% chance).[/nq]
[nq:1]You've highlighted the difference between "chances" and "odds". If the chances (or chance or probability) of something's occuring is 25%, ... against its occuring are 3:1. So if something's odds are 1:6, it's less likely than if its probability were 1:6.[/nq]

Today, Charles Riggs (Email Removed) abed:
[nq:2]difference between "chances" and "odds". If the chances (or chance ... 1:6, it's less likely than if its probability were 1:6.[/nq]
[nq:1]*****.[/nq]
Whatsamatta?
Michael Hamm
AM, Math, Wash. U. St. Louis
(Email Removed) Standard disclaimers:

[nq:2]In my region (Connecticut, USA), I sometimes see chances of ... expect "1:6" to mean 1-in-7 (that is, a 14.29% chance).[/nq]
[nq:1]It depends on what you mean by "odds". If you are betting on a horse race, then "odds" means the ... goes off at 4:1 (to win) then you get back four dollars on a one-dollar bet if the horse wins.[/nq]
... plus your original dollar. (You turn in your $2 ti

[nq:2]In my region (Connecticut, USA), I sometimes see chances of ... expect "1:6" to mean 1-in-7 (that is, a 14.29% chance).[/nq]
[nq:1]It depends on what you mean by "odds". If you are betting on a horse race, then "odds" means the ... that, on average, you will get heads once for every two flips of the coin. It does not mean "one-in-three".[/nq]
but a colon "1:2" means "one to two" i.e.

[nq:2]*****.[/nq]
[nq:1]Whatsamatta?[/nq]
This:
The probability of something happening refers to the chance of it happening.
The odds of something happening refers to the chance of it happening.
Charles Riggs
They are no accented letters in my email address

[nq:2]*****.[/nq]
[nq:1]Whatsamatta?[/nq]
This:
The probability of something happening refers to the chance of it happening.
The odds of something happening refers to the chance of it happening.

Sorry. While sitting on the toilet after posting that, I realized my error. I retract my "*****".

Charles Riggs
They are no accented letters in my email address