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Universal blood donors. People with type O-negative blood are referred to as universal donors, although if you give type O-negative blood to any patient, you run the risk of a transfusion reaction due to certain antibodies present in the blood. However, any patient can receive a transfusion of O-negative red blood cells. Only \(7.2 \%\) of the American population have O-negative blood. If 10 people appear at random to give blood, what is the probability that at least one of them is a universal donor?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The probability is approximately 0.5138.

Step by step solution

01

Define the Probability of a Single Event

Let "having O-negative blood" be considered a success. The probability of a single person having O-negative blood, or being a universal donor, is \( p = 0.072 \).
02

Calculate the Probability of No Successes

Using the formula for the complement, we first calculate the probability that none of the 10 individuals is a universal donor. The probability of someone not having O-negative blood is \( 1 - p = 0.928 \). For 10 people, this probability becomes \( (0.928)^{10} \).
03

Apply the Complement Rule

The probability that at least one person is a universal donor is the complement of none being a donor. Thus, \( P(\text{at least one}) = 1 - (0.928)^{10} \).
04

Calculate the Probability

Calculate \( (0.928)^{10} \) to find the probability that none are donors. This value is approximately 0.4862. Then, compute \( 1 - 0.4862 = 0.5138 \).
05

Conclusion

The probability that at least one of the 10 people is a universal donor is approximately 0.5138.

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Key Concepts

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

Complement Rule
The Complement Rule is a fundamental concept in probability. It is useful when you are interested in finding the probability of at least one event happening. For example, if you want to know the probability of drawing at least one O-negative donor from a group, you first calculate the probability of the opposite—the probability that none of the events occur.

Here's how it works:
  • Calculate the probability that an event does not happen.
  • Subtract this probability from 1 to find the probability of the event happening at least once.
In our case, the event of interest is having at least one person with O-negative blood from a group of 10 people. First, we find the probability of none having O-negative blood, computed as \((0.928)^{10}\), and then subtract this value from 1 to calculate that at least one person has O-negative blood.
Binomial Distribution
The Binomial Distribution is a statistical method that helps us find the probability of a given number of successes in a set number of trials. A trial can have two outcomes: success or failure. It is especially useful when you are dealing with a fixed number of trials, like testing whether individuals are universal donors.

Key components of binomial distribution include:
  • Number of Trials (n): The total attempts you make, e.g., the 10 people giving blood.
  • Probability of Success (p): The likelihood of one successful outcome, such as a person having O-negative blood.
  • Number of Successes (k): How many successes you are interested in, typically at least one in this scenario.
Using these components, you can set up and solve binomial distribution problems by using formulas to compute the likelihood of different numbers of successes, focusing particularly on the outcome where at least one person fits the desired category.
Universal Donors
Universal donors refer to individuals who can provide blood that is compatible with all other blood types. While there are particular caveats around antibody reactions, O-negative blood is commonly viewed as the universal donor type, especially in situations requiring urgent blood transfusions.

The ability of universal donors to assist in a variety of situations makes them highly valued in medical scenarios. Universal donors are crucial during emergencies when quick blood compatibility determination isn't possible. Hospitals and blood banks place significant importance on donations from these individuals.

It's key to remember, however, that despite their near-universal compatibility, transfusion reactions might still occur due to other antibodies, so caution is always advised during transfusions.
O-negative Blood Type
The O-negative blood type is frequently dubbed the universal donor. This is because their red blood cells can generally be given to individuals of any other blood type without causing an adverse reaction, making it a valuable resource in medical emergencies.

Key characteristics of O-negative blood:
  • Rarity: Only about 7.2% of the population has O-negative blood.
  • Compatibility: Can be helpful in critical situations where blood type matching is not feasible immediately.
  • Immune System Reactions:Since O-negative lacks the A and B antigens, it minimizes the chance of an immune response.
These characteristics make O-negative blood extremely valuable, but its rarity also signifies a need for continuous donations to maintain adequate supplies.

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