Infinite Monkey Theorem

The infinite monkey theorem [states:stages] that a monkey hitting keys at random on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite amount of time will almost surely type a given text, such as the [complete:complex] works of William Shakespeare. In this context, "almost surely" is a mathematical term with a [precise:present] meaning, and the "monkey" isn't an actual monkey, but a metaphor for an abstract [device:divide] that produces a random sequence of letters ad infinitum. The theorem illustrates the perils of [reasoning:studying] about infinity by imagining a vast but finite number and vice versa. The probability of a monkey [exactly:example] typing a complete work such as Shakespeare's Hamlet is so tiny that the chance of it occurring during a period of time of the order of the age of the universe is minuscule, but not zero. But technologies can [help:build] monkeys to write. If the monkeys are given a pen and some papers to spell the word monkey, they can only scratch on the paper. By contrast, if they are given a typewriter, it will take them over 10 years to [produce:purpose] the right spelling. However, if they can use computer programing, they can [finish:take] the task within a day.