A study of an experimental blood thinner was conducted to determine whether it works better than the simple aspirin tablet in warding off heart attacks and strokes. The study, reported in the Press Enterprise, involved 19,185 people who had suffered heart attacks, strokes, or pain from clogged arteries. Each person was randomly assigned to take either aspirin or the experimental drug for 1 to 3 years. Assume that each person was equally likely to be assigned one of the two medications.

a. Devise a randomization plan to assign the medications to the patients.

b. Will there be an equal number of patients in each treatment group? Explain.