[extropy-chat] monty hall paradox again

[Spike]

 David wrote:


> Call the larger envelope value LV,
> the smaller envelope SV,
> the minimum possible amount of zorgs is z.
> and i is some integer.
> 
> SV must be i * z.
> But LV = 2 * SV , therefore SV can only increment in steps of 2z.
> 
> This means that for any given range there are twice as many
> possible SV values as there are LV values.
> This means that the chance that the other envelope is the
> smaller one is twice the chance that it is the larger one.
> 
> expected value becomes 2/3 * 5 + 1/3 * 20 = 10.

I am examining this argument carefully, for it is
tempting indeed.  The phrase "for any given range" makes me
squirm a little, for I fear that it incorrectly causes the zorg
version of the puzzle to collapse to the less interesting
real dollars version, which is solved by Eliezer's solution.
The real dollars version is merely a poker match. 

On the other hand, I suppose that even with zorgs, there
must me *some* finite range.  Do let me ponder, thereby
dumping even more perfectly good life into this maddening
time-sink.

spike