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Basic Computation: Geometric Distribution Given a binomial experiment with probability of success on a single trial \(p=0.30\), find the probability that the first success occurs on trial number \(n=2\).

Short Answer

Expert verified
The probability that the first success occurs on trial number 2 is 0.21.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Geometric Distribution

A geometric distribution models the number of trials until the first success in a series of independent and identical Bernoulli trials, where each trial has a probability of success of \(p\). In this problem, we are interested in finding the probability that the first success occurs on the second trial.
02

Use the Geometric Probability Formula

The probability that the first success occurs on the \(n\)-th trial in a geometric distribution is given by the formula: \(P(X = n) = (1-p)^{n-1} p\). Here, \(p = 0.30\), and we want the first success on trial \(n=2\).
03

Substitute Values into the Formula

Substitute \(p = 0.30\) and \(n=2\) into the formula: \[P(X = 2) = (1-0.30)^{2-1} \times 0.30 = (0.70)^{1} \times 0.30\].
04

Calculate the Probability

Compute the value: \((0.70) \times 0.30 = 0.21\). Therefore, the probability that the first success occurs on the second trial is \(0.21\).

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Key Concepts

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

Probability Theory
Probability theory is the mathematical framework that helps us understand the likelihood of different outcomes occurring. It deals with experiments or processes that are inherently unpredictable and quantifies the chance of specific results.
A fundamental aspect of probability theory is the definition of a probability distribution, which tells us how probabilities are distributed over all possible outcomes. For example, when tossing a coin, the probability distribution shows a 50% chance of landing heads and a 50% chance of landing tails.
In probability theory, the concept of independence is crucial. Two events are independent if the outcome of one does not influence the outcome of another. This principle is key when dealing with binomial experiments, where each trial is independent of the others.
Binomial Experiment
A binomial experiment is a sequence of trials that each have the same probability of success. It captures scenarios where you perform the same experiment repeatedly, like flipping a coin several times. Here are some key characteristics of a binomial experiment:
  • Each trial can result in success or failure.
  • The probability of success is the same in each trial.
  • The trials are independent, meaning the result of one trial does not affect another.
  • The total number of trials is fixed.

For our exercise, the focus is on finding when the first success occurs. This can be modeled using a geometric distribution, as each trial independently contributes to the probability of a successful outcome.
Bernoulli Trials
Bernoulli trials form the backbone of binomial experiments. Each Bernoulli trial has exactly two possible outcomes: \'success\' or \'failure\'. In our context, \'success\' could mean flipping heads, rolling a six on a die, or the first successful result in a series of experiments.
To understand Bernoulli trials better, imagine each trial as a simple, binary experiment. With the probability of success denoted by \( p \), and the probability of failure by \( 1-p \), we observe that each trial is independent of others. This means that knowing the outcome of previous trials provides no information about the upcoming trial.
Bernoulli trials are an integral part of geometric and binomial distributions, serving as the fundamental units that help calculate probabilities in complex scenarios. Understanding this concept is essential to mastering probability theory and the calculations involved.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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