International Journal of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences 
Volume 2003 (2003), Issue 62, Pages 3957-3962
doi:10.1155/S0161171203301425

Parrondo's paradox

Geoffrey C. Berresford and Andrew M. Rockett

Department of Mathematics, C.W. Post Campus, Long Island University, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville 11548, NY, USA

Received 3 January 2003

Abstract

Since coming to the attention of the general news media several years ago, the paradoxical combination of two losing games into a winning game by J. M. R. Parrondo has been the subject of numerous numerical investigations and simulations. This note provides a clear statement of the nature of the paradox together with a straightforward analysis and resolution that is accessible to a wide audience.