/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 4 In November the U.S. unemploymen... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

In November the U.S. unemployment rate was \(8.7 \%\) (U.S. Department of Labor website, January 10,2010 ). The Census Bureau includes nine states in the Northeast region. Assume that the random variable of interest is the number of Northeastern states with an unemployment rate in November that was less than \(8.7 \%\). What values may this random variable have?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The random variable can have values: 0, 1, 2, ..., 9.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Problem

We need to find the possible values of a random variable that represents the number of Northeastern states with unemployment rates below 8.7%. Since there are nine states in the Northeast region, the random variable represents the count of qualified states out of these nine.
02

Identifying the Range of Values

Since we are counting the number of states, the possible outcomes for this random variable range from 0 to 9. This is because all states could potentially have unemployment rates below, above, or some mix below and above 8.7%. Hence, every whole number from 0 to 9 is a possible value for this count.
03

Finalize the Possible Values

Conclude that the possible values of the random variable are 0, 1, 2, ..., 8, 9. This represents all possibilities from no states having rates below 8.7% to all nine states having rates below 8.7%.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

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

Unemployment Rate
When we talk about the unemployment rate, we're looking at the percentage of the workforce that is unemployed and actively seeking jobs. It's a significant indicator of economic health.
  • An unemployment rate of 8.7% means that out of every 100 people available for work, approximately 9 are jobless and looking for work.
  • This figure is calculated by dividing the number of unemployed individuals by the total labor force, then multiplying by 100 to get a percentage.
Tracking changes in this rate over time helps economists and policymakers understand economic trends and make crucial decisions. In the context of the exercise, knowing the unemployment rate helps to evaluate how each state compares to the national average or specific benchmarks such as 8.7%.
Statistical Range
The concept of statistical range in this context is about understanding the possible values a random variable can take.
  • For example, if there are nine states and the random variable is the number of states with an unemployment rate below 8.7%, the range is from 0 to 9.
  • This means there could be zero states, which is the minimum, or all nine states having unemployment rates below 8.7%, which is the maximum.
In statistics, the range gives us the simplest form of variability measurement, indicating the span between the lowest and highest observations in a dataset. Here it helps to quantify the spectrum of possibilities for the number of states with a lower unemployment rate than 8.7%.
Probability Distribution
Probability distribution is a statistical function that describes all the possible values and likelihoods that a random variable can take within a given range.

For this exercise, the random variable is the number of Northeastern states with an unemployment rate less than 8.7%.
  • A probability distribution would assign a probability to each possible number of states from 0 to 9 having unemployment rates below 8.7%.
  • For instance, if it is likely that 5 states have rates below the benchmark, the probability distribution would show a higher probability for the number 5 compared to numbers far from 5.
Understanding probability distributions is key because it helps predict outcomes and make data-driven decisions based on the likelihood of different scenarios.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Military radar and missile detection systems are designed to warn a country of an enemy attack. A reliability question is whether a detection system will be able to identify an attack and issue a warning. Assume that a particular detection system has a .90 probability of detecting a missile attack. Use the binomial probability distribution to answer the following questions. a. What is the probability that a single detection system will detect an attack? b. If two detection systems are installed in the same area and operate independently, what is the probability that at least one of the systems will detect the attack? c. If three systems are installed, what is the probability that at least one of the systems will detect the attack? d. Would you recommend that multiple detection systems be used? Explain.

Axline Computers manufactures personal computers at two plants, one in Texas and the other in Hawaii. The Texas plant has 40 employees; the Hawaii plant has \(20 .\) A random sample of 10 employees is to be asked to fill out a benefits questionnaire. a. What is the probability that none of the employees in the sample work at the plant in Hawaii? b. What is the probability that one of the employees in the sample works at the plant in Hawaii? c. What is the probability that two or more of the employees in the sample work at the plant in Hawaii? d. What is the probability that nine of the employees in the sample work at the plant in Texas?

According to a survey conducted by TD Ameritrade, one out of four investors have exchange-traded funds in their portfolios (USA Today, January 11,2007 ). Consider a sample of 20 investors. a. Compute the probability that exactly four investors have exchange-traded funds in their portfolios. b. Compute the probability that at least two of the investors have exchange- traded funds in their portfolios. c. If you found that exactly 12 of the investors have exchange-traded funds in their portfolios, would you doubt the accuracy of the survey results? d. Compute the expected number of investors who have exchange-traded funds in their portfolios.

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that off-the-job accidents cost U.S. businesses almost \(\$ 200\) billion annually in lost productivity (National Safety Council, March 2006 ). Based on NSC estimates, companies with 50 employees are expected to average three employee off-the-job accidents per year. Answer the following questions for companies with 50 employees. a. What is the probability of no off-the-job accidents during a one-year period? b. What is the probability of at least two off-the-job accidents during a one- year period? c. What is the expected number of off-the-job accidents during six months? d. What is the probability of no off-the-job accidents during the next six months?

Suppose \(N=10\) and \(r=3 .\) Compute the hypergeometric probabilities for the following values of \(n\) and \(x\) a. \(\quad n=4, x=1\) b. \(n=2, x=2\) c. \(\quad n=2, x=0\) d. \(n=4, x=2\) e. \(n=4, x=4\)

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Math Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.