Probability Calculations for Random Samples and Genetic Inheritance

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  • Thread starter Thread starter brunettegurl
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1) A random sample of 2 people are selected from a group of 15 girls and 8 boys to participate in a study. Find the probability that the sample consists of 1 boy and 1 girl.

My take : n=23 P(1girl)*P(1boy)
(15/23)*(8/23)
= 0.2268
the answer should be 0.4743

2)Suppose that a disease is inherited via an autosomal recessive mode of inheritence.The children in the family have a probability of 1/4 of inheriting the disease. In a family of 4 children, find the probability that at least one of the children inherits the disease.

My take: n=4 x=1 p=1/4
nCx= n!/x!(n-x)! f(x)= nCx* px(1-p)n-x

I get 0.4219
The answer should be 0.6836

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
The simplest way to solve these problems:

1) P (1 boy 1 girl) = 1-P(2 girls) - P(2 boys)

2) P(one child or more inherits disease) = 1-P(no child inherits disease)These are very easy to work out, and don't require the level of complexity of the formulas you are using.
 
Thanks!
 
If you want to do the first one directly, you need to do it properly.
girl first boy second = (15/23)(8/22)
boy first girl second = (8/23)(15/22)

Final answer (2x8x15)/(23x22)
 

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