In: Math
Each round of game played by a gambler is either a win with probability p or a loss with probability 1 − p. If the round is a win, then a random amount of money having an exponential distribution with rate λ will be awarded to the gambler. If the round is a loss, then he loses everything that had been accumulated up to that time and cannot play any additional rounds. After a win round, the gambler can either choose to quit and keep whatever has been won or can choose to play another round. Suppose that a gambler plans to continue playing until either his total winnings exceeds t or a loss occurs.
(a) What is the expectation of N, the number of winning rounds that it would take until his fortune 1 exceeds t?
(b) What is the probability he will successfully reach a fortune of at least t?