Credit Card Payments: Probability

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a probability problem related to American Express credit-card holders and their payment behaviors. Participants explore the application of the binomial distribution to calculate probabilities based on given proportions of customers who pay their bills in full.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) presents a probability problem involving a sample of credit-card holders and requests a solution.
  • Some participants inquire about the OP's understanding of the binomial distribution and suggest that it is relevant to the problem.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of the OP demonstrating their understanding and attempts before seeking solutions, referencing forum rules about problem-solving engagement.
  • Another participant explains the formula for the binomial distribution, including the binomial coefficient and its application to the OP's specific problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on how to proceed with the problem, as participants express differing views on the OP's preparedness and understanding of the necessary concepts. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to assist the OP.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the OP should ideally show their attempts or thoughts on the problem to facilitate better assistance. The discussion highlights the need for foundational knowledge in probability, specifically the binomial distribution, which the OP appears to lack.

ranish293
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Hello,

Im having difficulty in solving following problem related to probability, Please anyone provide me with the solution.

The proportion of American Express credit-card holders who pay their credit card bill in full
each month is 23%; the other 77% make only a partial or no payment.

(a) In a random sample of 15 customers, what is the probability that:
i. 4 customers pay their bill in full?
ii. More than 6 customers pay their bill in full?

(b) In a random sample of 17 customers, what is the probability that:
i. 4 customers pay their bill in full?
ii. No more than 3 customers pay their bill in full?
 
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Re: Probability

Where are you having issues? Do you know about the binomial distribution?
 
Thanks Bacterius for your reply.

I don't know about binomial distribution, Could you please solve this for me, and explain the procedure.
 
ranish293 said:
...Could you please solve this for me, and explain the procedure.

We don't generally work problems, unless they are posted as challenges, where the OP is expected to already have a complete and correct solution ready to post or if someone brings a problem here from another site.

What we expect (as per rule #11) when someone posts a problem, is for them to show what they have already tried and where they are stuck, or at least post what their thoughts are on how to begin. Then, our helpers may offer suggestions/hints so that the OP can proceed and post feedback or ask for further clarification.

We try to engage the OP as much as possible so that they learn by doing rather than simply have their problems worked for them. While this takes more effort/time on the part of our helpers, this benefits people far more.

Can you state any theorems which you have been given that you think may apply?

edit: I have moved this topic to the Basic Probability and Statistics forum as it involves elementary techniques.
 
Last edited:
ranish293 said:
Thanks Bacterius for your reply.

I don't know about binomial distribution, Could you please solve this for me, and explain the procedure.
It's very strange that you would be given a problem like this- which is a "binomial distribution" problem if you have never learned about it.

If each "event" has probability p of happening (so probability 1- p of not happening) then it has probability $$\left(\begin{array}{c}n \\ x \end{array}\right)p^x (1- p)^{n- x}$$ of happening x times out of n trials.

In problem (ai), for example, p= 0.23, n= 15, and x= 4.

$$\left(\begin{array}{c}n \\ x \end{array} \right)$$ is the "binomial coefficient", $$\frac{n!}{x!(n-x)!}$$.
 
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