FUn questions - Probability - help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a probability problem related to athletes' chances of finishing in the top three in a race, which affects their selection for a team. Participants are exploring how to calculate the probability that John will make the Olympic team given certain conditions about his and Bill's performance.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a probability scenario involving John and Bill, specifying their chances of finishing in the top three and how these probabilities change based on each other's performance.
  • Another participant attempts to apply the formula for conditional probability, expressing it in terms of joint probabilities.
  • A later post reiterates the problem and provides specific probabilities while suggesting the use of Bayes's Law and the law of total probability to solve for the unknown probability.
  • One participant expresses a need for further assistance by asking for the numbers to be plugged into the equations to aid understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the solution to the problem, and there is ongoing uncertainty about the calculations and the application of probability laws.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference conditional probabilities and joint probabilities but do not fully resolve the mathematical steps or assumptions involved in the calculations.

apoechma
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FUn questions - Probability - help!

Hello! I need help understanding how to get to the answers on this question. I would be sooo appreciative if someone woule write it out and explain it, as once I understand this I can understand a lot more! I REALIZE they are VERY BASIC! so for many it will be easy, for me its not so easy!

Here we go!

IN an upcoming race, athletes have to finish first, second, or third in order to be selected for the team. The probabolity that John will finish in the top 3 is .40, wereas the probability that bill will finish in the top 3 is only .25. However, if John doesn't finish in the top 3, then Bills probabiltiy of finishing in the top 3 increases to .35. IF Bill was to finish in the top 3, what is the probability that Jogn will get on the olympic team?

The answer is .16.

Please how do we get there? I think we use the equation of P(A/B)= P(AnB)/ P(B)?

Thank u!
 
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P(J|B)P(B) = P(JnB) = P(BnJ) = P(B|J)P(J) .
 


Im still having a hard time, cud someone please put the numbers into the equation for me? Once I see this I will understand SO MANY more questions! THank you sooo mUCH!
 


IN an upcoming race, athletes have to finish first, second, or third in order to be selected for the team. The probabolity that John will finish in the top 3 is .40, wereas the probability that bill will finish in the top 3 is only .25. However, if John doesn't finish in the top 3, then Bills probabiltiy of finishing in the top 3 increases to .35. IF Bill was to finish in the top 3, what is the probability that Jogn will get on the olympic team?

P{J} = 0.4; P{B} = 0.25; P{B|~J} = 0.35; P{J|B} = ?

Law of total probability, or Bayes's Law:
P{B} = P{B|J}P{J} + P{B|~J}P{~J}
0.25 = P{B|J} 0.4 + 0.35 (1-0.4)
Solve for P{B|J}, call it x

From the definition of conditional prob.:
P{JnB} = P(BnJ) = P(B|J)P(J) = x P{J} = x 0.4
P{J|B} = P{JnB}/P{B} = x 0.4/0.25

EnumaElish
___________________________________________
I would definitely have logged in as EnumaElish had PF administration awarded that account the privilege of posting replies, after I reset my e-mail address Tuesday, October 28, 2008.
 


Thank u!
 

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