Martingale approach to the coupon collection problem (Q2567741)

A classical problem of probability theory on distribution of particles in cells is studied. The problem under consideration is related to the so-called coupon collection problem. In the latter problem one studies the number of coupons that one has to purchase to get a complete set consisting of \(k\) items. A new method for obtaining different moment characteristics in the coupon collector's is developed. Moreover various martingale corollaries are obtained.