GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 8: Treasure Tables

SCAR · 12-18-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pst

Well, actually you can have an finite average value regardless of there being no upper limit. Here is My Simplied Random Value Generator™:

Roll 1d. If you throw 1-5 that's the value. If you throw 6, use My Simplified Random Value Generator™, and then double that value.

Example <6,6,6,5> would generate double double double five = 40.

Set v equal to the mean value of this. Since the six possibilities have the same probability

Code:

      1+2+3+4+5 + 2v     15 + 2v
v =  ---------------- = ---------
            6               6

So 4v = 15, so v = 15/4. Very finite, even though I'm doubling it every time. The DF8 "Bigger" rules for Jewelry and Gems just add same-size values each iteration.

To infinity, and beyond!

I love maths, you can prove almost anything if you don't know what you're doing!

Bruno is correct, if you have N items, one of which is Infinity, the sum of all the values is Infinity, and the Average, Infinity/N = Infinity

ps. "cup with a dull-colored string" as a treasure item - I think I need to see the look on any players face when they find that!