# Mathematical expectation of picking cards of the same value from a standard 52-card deck [closed]

Suppose we have a standard 52-card deck (4 sets of cards from number 1 to 13). We pick the cards without putting them back. We stop when two cards of the same value are drawn (not necesarily to be consective draws). What is the mathematical expectation of the number of cards we need to pick?

## closed as off-topic by Shaun, NCh, Tpofofn, Saad, LeucippusApr 5 '18 at 0:08

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• Welcome to stackexchange. What have you tried? Can you answer your question for a smaller deck? – Ethan Bolker Apr 4 '18 at 12:49
• In order to help you, we also need to know how well acquainted you are with the principles of probability. Do you for instance know how $E[X]$ can be determined, given that $P(X=x)$ is known for all integer values $x$? – jvdhooft Apr 4 '18 at 13:03
• @jvdhooft Quite often that route (finding expectation by means of distribution) is very cumbersome to go and can fortunately be left aside. – drhab Apr 4 '18 at 13:32
• @drhab I agree, which is why I upvoted your answer. Even so, a good number of calculations are required when solving this one by hand. – jvdhooft Apr 4 '18 at 13:57

For $n=0,1,2,\dots,13$ let $\mu_n$ denote the expectation of the number of cards that still must be picked if exactly $n$ cards with distinct values have been picked already.
Then $\mu_{13}=1$ and to be found is $\mu_0$.
Further for $n=0,1,2,\dots,12$ there is an expression for $\mu_n$ in $\mu_{n+1}$.