/*! 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 38 A quiz in a statistics course ha... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

A quiz in a statistics course has four multiple-choice questions, each with five possible answers. A passing grade is three or more correct answers to the four questions. Allison has not studied for the quiz. She has no idea of the correct answer to any of the questions and decides to guess at random for each. a. Find the probability she lucks out and answers all four questions correctly. b. Find the probability that she passes the quiz.

Short Answer

Expert verified
a. Probability of 4 correct: 0.0016. b. Probability of passing: 0.0272.

Step by step solution

01

Define the Successful Trial

Since each question has five possible answers, the probability of guessing a single question correctly is \( p = \frac{1}{5} = 0.2 \).
02

Set Up the Binomial Distribution

This scenario can be modeled using a binomial distribution where the number of questions \( n = 4 \), and the probability of success on a single question \( p = 0.2 \). The random variable \( X \), representing the number of correct answers, follows a binomial distribution \( X \sim B(4, 0.2) \).
03

Calculate Probability for 4 Correct Answers

To find \( P(X = 4) \), we use the binomial probability formula:\[ P(X = k) = \binom{n}{k} p^k (1-p)^{n-k} \]For all answers correct (\( k = 4 \)):\[ P(X = 4) = \binom{4}{4} (0.2)^4 (0.8)^{0} = 1 \times 0.0016 \times 1 = 0.0016 \]
04

Find Probability of Passing the Quiz

Allison passes the quiz if she gets at least 3 correct. We need to find \( P(X \geq 3) \). This is calculated by finding \( P(X = 3) \) and \( P(X = 4) \), then summing them:\[ P(X = 3) = \binom{4}{3} \times (0.2)^3 \times (0.8)^{1} = 4 \times 0.008 \times 0.8 = 0.0256 \]Then, add the probabilities for 3 and 4 correct answers:\[ P(X \geq 3) = P(X = 3) + P(X = 4) = 0.0256 + 0.0016 = 0.0272 \]
05

Conclusion

The probability that Allison answers all four questions correctly is 0.0016, and the probability that she passes the quiz is 0.0272.

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.

Probability
Probability is the measure of the likelihood that a particular event will occur. In this scenario, Allison is guessing the answers to a quiz. Each question has multiple choices, making the probability of guessing correctly quite specific. Here, each question has five possible answers, meaning Allison has a 1 in 5 chance, or a probability of 0.2, to guess the answer correctly.
  • Probability values range from 0 to 1.
  • A probability of 0 means the event cannot happen.
  • A probability of 1 means the event is certain.
For Allison's quiz, the probabilities are part of a binomial distribution, where the outcomes are either a success (correct answer) or a failure (wrong answer). Understanding probability helps to determine the likelihood that she will pass, which in her case, involves random guessing.
Statistics Quiz
Statistics quizzes often use probability concepts to test understanding of different statistical theories. In the case of Allison's quiz, the challenge is whether random guessing can meet the statistical requirement to pass. The quiz consists of four multiple-choice questions, and to pass, Allison needs to get at least three questions right. This means she needs almost perfect guessing to succeed.
  • The probability model used: Binomial Distribution.
  • Number of trials (questions): 4.
  • Probability of success per trial: 0.2.
Using the binomial distribution, you can calculate the likelihood of Allison getting a set number of questions right, which is essential in determining her chances of passing the quiz. This statistical element adds depth to problem-solving in a quiz scenario.
Multiple-Choice Questions
Multiple-choice questions provide distinct probabilities with finite possible answers. In Allison's quiz, each question has five possible answers, making it a classic example of a probability problem. When guessing on such questions, you can analyze outcomes using specific methods.
  • Each question's success probability: 0.2, for guessing correctly.
  • Failure probability: 0.8, since there are more incorrect options.
The way multiple-choice questions are structured provides a clear way to apply the binomial probability formula. For instance, to get a specific number of questions correct, you multiply the success probability raised to the number of correct answers by the failure probability raised to the remaining attempts. This structured approach makes dealing with randomness more predictable and mathematical in nature.

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

Some companies, such as DemandTec, have developed software to help retail chains set prices that optimize their profits. An Associated Press story (April 28,2007 ) about this software described a case in which a retail chain sold three similar power drills: one for \(\$ 90\), a better one for \(\$ 120\), and a top-tier one for \(\$ 130\). Software predicted that by selling the middle-priced drill for only \(\$ 110,\) the cheaper drill would seem less a bargain and more people would buy the middle-price drill. a. For the original pricing, suppose \(50 \%\) of sales were for the \(\$ 90\) drill, \(20 \%\) for the \(\$ 120\) drill, and \(30 \%\) for the \(\$ 130\) drill. Construct the probability distribution of \(X=\) selling price for the sale of a drill, and find its mean and interpret, b. For the new pricing, suppose \(30 \%\) of sales were for the \(\$ 90\) drill, \(40 \%\) for the \(\$ 110\) drill, and \(30 \%\) for the \(\$ 130\) drill. Is the mean of the probability distribution of selling price higher with this new pricing strategy? Explain.

SAT math scores follow a normal distribution with an approximate \(\mu=500\) and \(\sigma=100\). Also ACT math scores follow a normal distrubution with an approximate \(\mu=21\) and \(\sigma=4.7\). You are an admissions officer at a university and have room to admit one more student for the upcoming year. Joe scored 600 on the SAT math exam, and Kate scored 25 on the ACT math exam. If you were going to base your decision solely on their performances on the exams, which student should you admit? Explain.

Grade distribution An instructor always assigns final grades such that \(20 \%\) are \(A, 40 \%\) are \(B, 30 \%\) are \(C,\) and \(10 \%\) are \(\mathrm{D} .\) The grade point scores are 4 for \(\mathrm{A}, 3\) for \(\mathrm{B}, 2\) for \(\mathrm{C},\) and 1 for \(\mathrm{D}\). a. Specify the probability distribution for the grade point score of a randomly selected student of this instructor. b. Find the mean of this probability distribution. Interpret it.

On September \(7,2008,\) the Pittsburgh Pirates lost their 82 nd game of the 2008 season and tied the \(1933-1948\) Philadelphia Phillies major sport record (baseball, football, basketball, and hockey) for most consecutive losing seasons at 16. One year later on September \(7,2009,\) they lost their 82 nd game of the 2009 season, and the record became theirs alone. The only way things could get much worse for the Pirates was to lose their 82 nd game earlier in the season. Sure enough, on August \(21,2010,\) they lost their 82 nd game of the 2010 season, extending their streak to 18 consecutive seasons. A major league baseball season consists of 162 games, so for the Pirates to end their streak, they will eventually need to win at least 81 games in a season. a. Over the course of the streak, the Pirates have won approximately \(42 \%\) of their games. For simplicity, assume the number of games they win in a given season follows a binomial distribution with \(n=162\) and \(p=0.42 .\) What is their expected number of wins in a season? b. What is the probability that the Pirates will win at least 81 games in a given season? (You may use technology to find the exact binomial probability or use the normal distribution to approximate the probability by finding a \(z\) -score for 81 and then evaluating the appropriate area under the normal curve.)

The Internet site www.ItsJustLunch .com advertises itself as a dating service for busy professionals that has set up over two million first dates for lunch or drinks after work. An advertisement for this site stated that a survey of their users found that a woman has chance 1 in 8 of a second date if she has not heard from the man within 24 hours of their first date. On Saturday, Shawna had a luncheon date with Jack and a dinner date with Lawrence. By Sunday evening she had not heard from either of them. Based on the information claimed by www.ItsJustLunch.com, construct a table with the probability distribution of \(X=\) the number of these men 2) with whom she has a second date. (Source: \((0,1,\) or Background information from www.ItsJustLunch.com.)

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.