Smoker Tree Diagram: Calculate P(H|D)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the conditional probability P(H|D) for heavy smokers given their mortality rate using a tree diagram. The probabilities are defined as follows: 20% heavy smokers (H), 30% light smokers (L), and 50% non-smokers (N). The relationships established are P(D|L) = 2P(D|N) and P(D|L) = 0.5P(D|H). The final calculation yields P(H|D) = 42.1%, confirming the accuracy of the derived formula.

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dogma
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Tree Diagram

Hello again!

I'm stuck and need a little push.

Referring to the diagram: out of a group of smokers, 20% are heavy smokers, 30% are light smokers, and 50% are non-smokers. A light smoker is twice as likely to die as a non-smoker but half as likely as a heavy smoker.

H: heavy smoker
L: light smoker
N: non-smoker
D: die

So, I created the tree diagram (see attached) and understand the relationship. I come up with the following.

[tex]P(D|L)=2P(D|N)=\frac{1}{2}P(D|H)[/tex]

[tex]P(H|D)=\frac{P(H)P(D|H)}{P(D)}[/tex]

and likewise for P(L|D) and P(N|D)

I need to figure out what P(H|D) is given the info and the tree I created.

Can someone nudge me in the right direction?

Thanks,
dogma
 

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waiter...check please

I think I got it…can someone check me, please?

The probability of a person being a heavy smoker given that he died:

[tex]P(H|D)=\frac{P(H \cap D)}{P(D)}=\frac{P(H)P(D|H)}{P(D)}[/tex]

The probability that a person in this study dies:

[tex]P(D)=P(H \cap D)+P(L \cap D)+P(N \cap D)[/tex]

[tex]= P(H)P(D|H)+P(L)P(D|L)+P(N)P(D|N)[/tex]

…but since [tex]P(D|L)= 2P(D|N)= \frac{1}{2}P(D|H)[/tex]

…so

[tex]P(D)= P(H)P(D|H)+\frac{1}{2}P(L)P(D|H)+\frac{1}{4}P(N)P(D|H)[/tex]

…then

[tex]P(H|D)=\frac{P(H)P(D|H)}{ P(H)P(D|H)+\frac{1}{2}P(L)P(D|H)+\frac{1}{4}P(N)P(D|H)}[/tex]

…the P(D|H)'s cancel out leaving a very simple equation to plug and chug

P(H|D) = 42.1%
 
Your answer checks.
 

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