Exercise in Probability - balls drawn from a box

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the probability of drawing more than 3 red balls from a box containing 10% red balls when 20 balls are drawn with replacement. The problem is addressed using the binomial distribution, specifically the formula for calculating probabilities of discrete outcomes. Participants emphasize the use of the complementary probability method, where P(X > 3) is computed as 1 - P(X ≤ 3), simplifying the calculations required.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of binomial distribution
  • Familiarity with probability notation and calculations
  • Knowledge of combinatorial mathematics (e.g., "n choose k")
  • Basic statistical concepts related to random variables
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to apply the binomial distribution in real-world scenarios
  • Study the concept of complementary probability in depth
  • Explore advanced topics in probability theory, such as Poisson distribution
  • Practice problems involving binomial probabilities and their applications
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Students studying probability, educators teaching statistics, and anyone interested in understanding binomial distributions and their applications in real-life scenarios.

evinda
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Hey! I need some help at the following exercise...

We have a box with balls and 10% of them are red. If we choose at random 20 balls with replacement, which is the probability to pick more than 3 red balls?

Thanks in advance!
 
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Re: Exercise in Probability

evinda said:
Hey! I need some help at the following exercise...

We have a box with balls and 10% of them are red. If we choose at random 20 balls with replacement, which is the probability to pick more than 3 red balls?

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to MHB, evinda! :)

This is about a binomial distribution.
Do you have notes on that?

Can you say for starters what the probability on exactly 0 red balls is?
 
Re: Exercise in Probability

evinda said:
Hey! I need some help at the following exercise...

We have a box with balls and 10% of them are red. If we choose at random 20 balls with replacement, which is the probability to pick more than 3 red balls?

Thanks in advance!

Hi evinda,

Welcome to MHB! It seems to me this is the binomial distribution, but maybe it's not necessary to worry about that if you haven't been introduced to this distribution. How would you find the probability that all twenty balls are red?

I see that I like Serena has beaten me to a reply but I still want to say hello and welcome. :)

Jameson
 
Re: Exercise in Probability

I like Serena said:
Welcome to MHB, evinda! :)

This is about a binomial distribution.
Do you have notes on that?

Can you say for starters what the probability on exactly 0 red balls is?

The probability on exactly 0 re balls is P(X=0)={20 choose 0}(0.1)^0*(0.9)^(20-0)=(0.9)^20...

- - - Updated - - -

Jameson said:
Hi evinda,

Welcome to MHB! It seems to me this is the binomial distribution, but maybe it's not necessary to worry about that if you haven't been introduced to this distribution. How would you find the probability that all twenty balls are red?

I see that I like Serena has beaten me to a reply but I still want to say hello and welcome. :)

Jameson

The probability that all 20 balls are red is {20 choose 20}*(0.1)^20*(0.9)^(20-20)=0.1^20...Thank you very much! ;)
 
Re: Exercise in Probability

So you are familiar with binomial distribution, great! That will make this much easier to do. There is one "trick" you can use here to make this calculation much easier. Let $X$ be a random variable which represents the number of red balls drawn. $$P[X >3]=1-P[X \le 3]$$. So instead of over 15 probabilities to calculate now you should be able to solve this through 4 calculations. Do you see how?
 
Re: Exercise in Probability

P(X>3)=1-P(X<=3)=1-(P(X=0)+P(X=1)+P(X=2)+P(X=3)), where P(X=i)={20 choose i}(0.1)^i*(0.9)^(20-i), i=0,1,2,3...Right?
 
Re: Exercise in Probability

Right! ;)
 
Re: Exercise in Probability

Ok,thanks! :p
 

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