A Patented Mega Millions Number Selector

By jtoney on December 14, 2011.

Who couldn't use $135 million? Try this, just for fun, if you're game:

A 2005 U.S. patent with the bland title: "Method for Selecting Lottery Numbers" describes a technique that just might be worth a try:

i-548a2a450a6ee8b9c7d6d3098e9d9769-Mega1-thumb-960x720-71307.png

i-861583d1c3af7160f416997b3a759a66-Mega2-thumb-960x720-71309.png

i-56cb8563d88c32343563cb8525494d29-Mega3-thumb-960x720-71311.png

From the Orange County Register:

There were no tickets sold with all six numbers in Tuesday's drawing of the multi-state Mega Millions lottery and the estimated jackpot for Friday's drawing will grow to $135 million.

Three tickets sold in California had five numbers, but didn't have the Mega number and are each worth $148,228, a California Lottery official announced. California law requires most major payoffs of lottery games to be paid on a pari-mutuel basis.

The numbers drawn tonight were 5, 6, 22, 26, 41 and the Mega number was 6. The estimated jackpot was $116 million.

The drawing was the 12th since the last time a ticket with all six numbers was sold.
The odds of matching all five numbers and the Mega number is 1 in 175,711,536, according to the Mega Millions website. Overall chances of winning a prize are 1 in 40.

Tags
Media

More like this

Weekend Diversion: The Math of Powerball (Synopsis)
“I’ve done the calculation and your chances of winning the lottery are identical whether you play or not.” -Fran Lebowitz It's a thought that's occurred to almost everyone at some point or another: what each of us would do if we happened to hit the lottery Jackpot. Have a listen to Camper Van…
Lottery Probabilities and Clueless Reporters
A simple, silly, but entertaining example of mathematical illiteracy by way of the Associated Press: OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- The odds are against something this odd. But a Nebraska Lottery official says there was no mistake: The same three numbers in Nebraska's Pick 3 lottery were drawn two nights in…
Sunday Function
...you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk? - Dirty Harry The laws of probability, like most of the mathematical rules that govern the world, are a relatively recent discovery. Ancient people like the Romans loved to gamble as much as we do, and they had at…
The Science of Powerball (Synopsis)
“I’ve done the calculation and your chances of winning the lottery are identical whether you play or not.” -Fran Lebowitz Later today, the richest lottery drawing in history -- the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot -- will take place. While many outlets are encouraging people to purchase as many…