SIG Fair Price Game 2027: Dice Expected Value Question
The fair charge is $5.50. Expected payout = (4 + 8 + 12)/6 from the even faces plus (1 + 3 + 5)/6 from the odd faces = 24/6 + 9/6 = 33/6 = $5.50. A "fair" game charges exactly the expected payout. This "sig fair price dice game" question is commonly reported by candidates as the canonical expected-value warm-up.
SIG Fair Price Dice Game: What This Question Assesses
The question tests the definition of expected value as a probability-weighted average and the meaning of "fair price" — the price at which neither side has an edge. The twist is the asymmetric payoff (double on evens), which checks whether you weight each outcome by its own payout rather than averaging face values.
SIG Fair Price Dice Game: How to Answer
- List each face with its payout. Even faces (2, 4, 6) pay double: $4, $8, $12. Odd faces (1, 3, 5) pay face value: $1, $3, $5. Each has probability 1/6.
- Compute expected payout from evens. (4 + 8 + 12)/6 = 24/6 = $4.00.
- Compute expected payout from odds. (1 + 3 + 5)/6 = 9/6 = $1.50.
- Add them. $4.00 + $1.50 = $5.50. Charge a penny more and the house has an edge; a penny less and the player does.
Sample line: "The evens contribute $4 of expected value and the odds $1.50, so the fair price is $5.50 — charge more and I have the edge."
Common Mistakes
- Averaging the face values (3.5) and ignoring the doubling rule on evens.
- Doubling the whole expectation instead of doubling only the even-face payouts.
- Confusing fair price with a profitable price — fair means zero edge for both sides, which is the baseline before any margin is added.
If this question feels slow, your expected-value mechanics need drilling before you face SIG's multi-stage game questions, where the same calculation hides inside decision trees. Question formats may vary by role and region; confirm on SIG's official careers page.
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FAQ
What is the fair price to charge for this dice game? $5.50 — the exact expected payout, giving neither the house nor the player an edge.
How do you compute the expected value? Sum each outcome's payout times its probability: (4+8+12+1+3+5)/6 = 33/6 = 5.5.
What does "fair price" mean in game theory? The price at which the expected profit is zero for both parties — it is the baseline from which a house edge is added.
Is this question asked in real SIG interviews? Fair-price and expected-value game questions are commonly reported by candidates in SIG interviews, though exact games may vary by role and region.
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