Probability of Child Contracting Waterpokken

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the probability of a child contracting 'waterpokken' based on vaccination status. It utilizes concepts from probability theory, specifically Bayes' Theorem, to analyze the situation where 60% of children are vaccinated, with differing probabilities of contracting the disease based on vaccination status.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply Bayes' Theorem but encounters difficulties in determining certain probabilities. They question the rules applied in deriving specific probabilities and express uncertainty about the necessity of their approach.
  • Some participants suggest a more straightforward method that does not involve Bayes' Theorem, indicating an alternative way to calculate the overall probability.
  • Another participant provides a numerical example to illustrate the problem using integers, which may help clarify the situation for others.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different methods to approach the problem. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the application of Bayes' Theorem versus a direct calculation method. Some guidance has been offered, but no consensus has been reached on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is under time pressure due to an upcoming exam, which may influence the urgency of their questions and the clarity of their explanations. There is also a mention of a formula sheet, suggesting that participants are working within specific constraints related to their coursework.

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Homework Statement


In a population of children 60% are vaccinated against the 'waterpokken'. The probablilities of contracting 'waterpokking' are 1/1000 if the child is vaccinated and 1/100 if not.

a: Find the probability that a child selected at random will contract 'waterpokken'.

Homework Equations


Bayes Theorem: P(A|B) = P(A/\B) / P(B)
Formula sheet? View attachment stat_formulas.pdf

The Attempt at a Solution


Known values: P(V) = 0.6 | P(⌐V) = 0.4 | P(W|V) = 0.001 | P(W|⌐V) = 0.01

a: Find the probability that a child selected at random will contract 'waterpokken'.
  1. The question is: what is P(W)?
    From Bayes Theorem I conclude: P(W) = P(V/\W) / P(V|W)
    Both P(V/\W) & P(V|W) are unkown at this stage.[*]P(V/\W)?
    Fill in known values in bayes theorem:
    P(W|V) = P(W/\V) / P(V) = 0.001 = P(W/\V) / 0.6
    So: P(V/\W) = P(W/\V) = P(V) * P(W|V) = 0.6 * 0.001 = 0.0006
    Until here I get it! But now...[*]P(V|W)?
    P(V|W) = P(V/\W) / P(W) but I don't know P(W) :S?

    Answer sheet solution:
    P(W/\⌐V) = P(W|⌐V) = 0.01 * 0.4 = 0.004
    P(W) = P(W/\V) + P(W/\⌐V) = 0.0006 + 0.004 = 0.0046


1. What rules are applied in the third section? Could someone explain to me how they conclude to
P(W/\⌐V) = P(W|⌐V) and P(W) = P(W/\V) + P(W/\⌐V) ?

Maybe it's part of the formulas at the bottom of the first page of my formula sheet View attachment stat_formulas.pdf

2. Is there a way I could have known that I would need to work to that solution. Because I concluded I needed to work towards P(W) = P(V/\W) / P(V|W) but that plainly doesn't work..:(
 
Last edited:
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is my question not clear enough?:( The exam is tomorrow (tuesday).
 
It doesn't require Bayes theorem. Just plug the numbers into

P(W) = P(W|V)P(V) + P(W|\overline V)P(\overline V)
 
I always prefer to work with integers! Suppose there are 10000 children. 6000 of them are vaccinated, 4000 are not. Of the 6000 who are vaccinated 6 of them contract the disease, 5994. Of the 4000 who are not vaccinated, 40 contract the disease.
 

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