Probability: Male Smoker Probability Calculation

  • Thread starter rahul129
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Probability
In summary, probability is a mathematical measure of the likelihood that an event will occur, expressed as a number between 0 and 1. It can be used to calculate the probability of a male smoker by dividing the number of male smokers by the total number of males in the population. Factors that can affect the probability of being a male smoker include age, socioeconomic status, cultural norms, and access to resources for quitting smoking. However, probability cannot be used to predict individual outcomes. In scientific research, probability is important for making predictions, drawing conclusions, and identifying patterns and relationships between variables.
  • #1
rahul129
4
0
Suppose that for adults in a certain population 40% are male, 38% smoke, and 12% are female smokers. What is the probability that a randomly chosen adult smoker is a male?
The Answer is apparently 0.6842
I have no idea how!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
I've always solved these problems by thinking about them in concrete terms.

Say there are 100 people.
38 smoke
12 are female smokers
So there must be 26 male smokers.
26/38 = ~0.6842
 

1. What is the definition of "Probability"?

Probability is a mathematical measure of the likelihood that an event will occur. It is expressed as a number between 0 and 1, with 0 representing impossibility and 1 representing certainty.

2. How is the probability of a male smoker calculated?

The probability of a male smoker can be calculated by dividing the number of male smokers by the total number of males in the population. This can be represented as a fraction, decimal, or percentage.

3. What factors affect the probability of being a male smoker?

There are several factors that can affect the probability of being a male smoker, such as age, socioeconomic status, cultural norms, and access to resources for quitting smoking.

4. Can probability be used to predict individual outcomes?

No, probability cannot be used to predict individual outcomes. It is a measure of likelihood based on a large population, not a guarantee of what will happen to a specific individual.

5. How does probability play a role in scientific research?

Probability is a crucial component of scientific research. It allows scientists to make predictions and draw conclusions based on data, and helps to determine the significance of research findings. It also helps to identify patterns and relationships between variables in a study.

Similar threads

  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
5
Replies
147
Views
7K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
11
Views
489
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
7
Views
327
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
10
Views
804
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
5
Views
2K
Back
Top