Exponential distribution word problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a word problem involving the exponential distribution, specifically focusing on the anticipated usage of office computers for holiday shopping. Participants are addressing calculations related to the mean time spent on computers, as well as probabilities for various time intervals based on that mean.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance in calculating the mean time spent using an office computer for holiday shopping, given a probability of 0.53 for usage of 5 hours or less.
  • Another participant asks if the original poster knows the general form of the exponential distribution.
  • A subsequent post provides the formula for the exponential distribution, indicating that the mean is represented by 'a'.
  • Further, a participant suggests an alternative expression for the probability in terms of time, introducing the notation ##\tau## for the mean and prompting for an expression for the probability that time is less than a specified value T.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the calculations or interpretations of the exponential distribution, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific calculations needed for the problem.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion, including the need for clarification on how to derive the mean from the given probability and the specific calculations for parts b) and c) of the problem.

salma17
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The Information Systems Audit and Control Association surveyed office workers to learn about the anticipated usage of office computers for holiday shopping. Assume that the number of hours a worker spends doing holiday shopping on an office computer follows an exponential distribution.

a) The study reported that there is a .53 probability that a worker uses the office computer for holiday shopping 5 hours or less. Is the mean time spent using an office computer for holiday shopping closest to 5.8,6.2,6.6, or 7 hours?

b) Using the mean time from part a), what's the probability that a worker uses the office computer for holiday shopping more than 10 hours?

c) What is the probability that a worker uses the office computer fr holiday shopping between 4 and 8 hours?

I just don't know how to calculate the mean. Once i get that I'll be able to do parts b) and c). Any help with part a) will be very helpful.thanks!
 
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Do you know the general form of the exponential distribution?
 
f(x)= 1/a (e)^ -x/a
where a is the mean?
 
Good. In terms of time, you may prefer: $$p(t)=\frac{1}{\tau}e^{t/\tau}$$... where ##\tau## is the mean.

Can you turn that into an expression for the probability that the time is less than some specified value T : $$p(t<T)=\cdots$$
 

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