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A basketball player has a .70 chance of sinking a basket on a free throw. What is the probability that he will sink at least 4 baskets in six shots?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The probability that the basketball player will sink at least 4 baskets in six shots is found by summing up the binomial probabilities for 4, 5 and 6 successful shots, which includes calculating the combinations and applying these into the Binomial Probability Formula.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Problem

A basketball player has a 0.70 chance of sinking a basket on a free throw. The player is given six shots. We are to find the probability of sinking at least 4 baskets. Here, at least 4 means the player can sink 4, 5, or all 6 baskets.
02

Applying The Binomial Probability Formula

The binomial probability formula is defined as \( P(X=k) = C(n, k) * p^k * (1-p)^{n-k} \) where \(p\) is the success probability, \(n\) is the number of trials, and \(k\) is the number of success trials. Here, p=0.70, n=6.
03

Calculate the probability for 4, 5, and 6 successful shots

Apply the binomial formula for k=4,5,6. Adding these up will give us the total probability for at least 4 successful shots.
04

Calculate combinations

Use the formula for combinations which is defined as \( C(n, k) = \frac{n!}{(n-k)!k!} \) to calculate combinations for each of k=4,5,6.
05

Putting it all together

Now, substitute the values of p, n, and each of k into the binomial formula and calculate the resultant probabilities. Add these probabilities to get the final answer.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Binomial Probability Formula
When exploring probability theories, one of the essential tools is the Binomial Probability Formula. The formula, \( P(X=k) = C(n, k) \cdot p^k \cdot (1-p)^{n-k} \), is vital for determining the probability of a specific number of successes in a series of independent trials. Here:
  • \( k \) represents the number of successful outcomes we are interested in.
  • \( p \) is the probability of success on an individual trial.
  • \( n \) stands for the total number of trials.
The complement probability \((1-p)\) is used to represent the probability of a failure in a single trial.
When we calculate probabilities for a range of successes, like the basketball player sinking at least 4 baskets out of 6, we need to calculate separate probabilities for each desired outcome (e.g., 4, 5, and 6 baskets) and then sum them. This is why understanding each element of the formula and how they interact is so important.
Combinations
Combinations play a pivotal role in calculating binomial probabilities. The formula for combinations is given by \( C(n, k) = \frac{n!}{(n-k)!k!} \). This formula tells us how many ways \( k \) successes can occur in \( n \) trials without regard to order.
Each part of the formula contributes to this calculation:
  • \( n! \) ("n factorial") is the product of all positive integers up to \( n \).
  • \( k! \) is the product of all positive integers up to \( k \), representing the successful outcomes.
  • \( (n-k)! \) accounts for the remaining trials that aren't successful.
Understanding combinations helps us figure out all possible outcomes where the desired number of successes can happen and is crucial in applying the Binomial Probability Formula. When faced with various outcomes, combinations allow us to ascertain how likely each scenario is within the larger set of possibilities.
Success Probability
In the realm of probability, the notion of "Success Probability" is central to binomial experiments. Success Probability, denoted by \( p \), represents the likelihood of a desired outcome occurring in one trial of the experiment, such as the basketball player making a basket in each individual shot.
Understanding this probability allows us to assess:
  • The probability of success in each trial (\( p \)) and, conversely, the probability of failure (\( 1-p \)).
  • How these probabilities will play out over a series of trials.
In our specific example where \( p = 0.70 \), the high probability indicates a significant chance of the basketball player successfully making a free throw. Factors like consistency and skill level typically influence \( p \), making them vital considerations when engaging in real-world applications of probability theory. Analyzing the probability of success helps us make predictions and informed decisions based on potential outcomes.

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