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Security: Burglar Alarms A large bank vault has several automatic burglar alarms. The probability is \(0.55\) that a single alarm will detect a burglar. (a) Quota Problem How many such alarms should be used for \(99 \%\) certainty that a burglar trying to enter will be detected by at least one alarm? (b) Suppose the bank installs nine alarms. What is the expected number of alarms that will detect a burglar?

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) 6 alarms; (b) Expected alarms: 4.95.

Step by step solution

01

Define the Problem

We are given that each alarm has a probability of \(0.55\) for detecting a burglar. We need to determine how many alarms are necessary to achieve a \(99\%\) certainty of detection, and the expected number of alarms triggering when nine alarms are installed.
02

Calculate Required Number of Alarms for 99% Detection

To ensure 99% certainty that at least one alarm detects the burglar, we first calculate the probability that none of the alarms detects the burglar: \((1 - 0.55)^n\), where \(n\) is the number of alarms. We set this probability to be less than or equal to 0.01 (for 99% detection), so \ \[(1 - 0.55)^n \leq 0.01.\]
03

Solve for the Required Number of Alarms

We solve the inequality from Step 2. First, compute:\ (0.45)^n \leq 0.01. \ Taking the logarithm of both sides, we have \[ n \cdot \log(0.45) \leq \log(0.01). \] Solve for \(n\): \[ n \geq \frac{\log(0.01)}{\log(0.45)} \approx \frac{-2}{-0.347}\approx 5.75.\] Since \(n\) must be a whole number, round up to \(n=6\) alarms.
04

Calculate Expected Number of Alarms for Nine Installed

With nine alarms installed, each alarm has a 0.55 probability of detecting a burglar. The expected number of alarms that detect a burglar is given by the expression \(E = n \cdot p\), where \(n\) is 9, and \(p\) is 0.55:\ \[E = 9 \times 0.55 = 4.95.\]
05

Conclusion of the Findings

For part (a), to ensure at least 99% certainty of detection, at least 6 alarms are needed. For part (b), if nine alarms are installed, the expected number of alarms that will detect a burglar is 4.95.

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Key Concepts

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

Understanding Expected Value in Probability
Expected value is a fundamental concept in probability and statistics. It's essentially a measure of the center of a probability distribution, which gives us an idea of what to expect in the long run. In simple terms, it's like a weighted average, where outcomes are multiplied by their probabilities, and then these products are summed up. This provides a single value representing the average outcome.
The formula for expected value is:
  • For discrete random variables, the expected value is calculated as: i.e. \( E(X) = \sum x_i \cdot p_i \), where \( x_i \) are the possible values and \( p_i \) are the probabilities of these values.
  • In our burglar alarm example, with nine alarms each having a 0.55 probability of triggering if a burglar is detected, the expected number of alarms that will go off can be found using the formula: \( E = n \cdot p \). That is, \( 9 \times 0.55 = 4.95 \) alarms.
    This means on average, out of nine alarms, about 4.95 alarms will sound.
Solving Exponential Equations
Exponential equations are essential in understanding how certain processes grow or decay over time, and they appear frequently in the field of probability when dealing with compound scenarios. In the context of our burglar alarm problem, solving the number of alarms needed for a 99% certainty involves an exponential equation.
Here's how the process works:
  • The equation for the probability of none of the alarms detecting a burglar is \( (1 - p)^n \), where \( p \) is the probability of a single alarm sounding (0.55 in this case), and \( n \) is the number of alarms.
  • We set this expression to equal 0.01 for 99% certainty: \( (1 - 0.55)^n \leq 0.01 \), indicating the probability of all alarms failing.
  • We solve for \( n \) by employing logarithms: Taking log on both sides gives \( n \cdot \log(0.45) \leq \log(0.01) \).Solving yields \( n \geq 5.75 \), thus rounding up to the nearest integer means \( n = 6 \).
Exponential equations often require taking logarithms for solving, a useful approach when equations involve powers with unknowns.
Navigating Probability Inequalities
Probability inequalities often arises while ensuring certain probabilities do not exceed a specific threshold. They allow us to set conditions and calculate how likely an event is in comparison to a baseline probability. In this problem, probability inequality plays a key role in determining the necessary number of alarms.
Consider the inequality:
  • We start with the probability of no alarms detecting the burglar being \( (1 - 0.55)^n \).
  • To ensure the complement (at least one alarm sounds) is 99% or more, we need: \( (0.45)^n \leq 0.01 \).
  • This inequality ensures that the scenario of not detecting the burglar is highly unlikely.By achieving this through calculation, it confirms that the desired certainty is reached.
Probability inequalities help in assessing risk and ensuring certain levels of safety or certainty, as required. In our example, through the inequality, we ascertain that with 6 alarms, the system meets its security demands.

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