Calculating Probability of 6ft Men in Europe

  • Thread starter Thread starter sunshine111
  • Start date Start date
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
1 reply · 3K views
sunshine111
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
probability to find...

Hello,
I have a question...
if there is 1 man with 6 ft height in 500 people. What will be the probability to find men with 6 ft in europe(say) or if I say like this...there is 1 man with 6 ft height in 500 people, what is the percentage of 6 ft high men in Europe.


Its a stupid question, but I would like to know the way it is calculated in psychological studies when they make statistics.
Thank you.
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Assuming that men's heights are distributed in Europe in the same way (i.e., 1 6-foot man per 500 people), the percentage of 6 ft. men in Europe would be 1/500 = .2/100 = 0.2%.

On the other hand, there are probably many more 6-footers per 500 people than you assumed, especially in some of the northern European countries. For example, the average height of a male in Germany is 5 ft. 10 in., and the Netherlands, it is between 5 ft. 10 in. and 6 ft (different groups have different averages). This means that for Dutch males, about half would be shorter than 6 ft. and about half would be taller. That's a long way from 1 person in 500.