MHB Probability of Turning into a Bird

[mathdad]

Substitute teacher, Baraba Rose, convinced a class of kindergarden kids that she would turn into a bird before the school day ends. What is the probability that this event will take place?

Solution:

Let P = probability

P(turning into bird) = 0

The answer is 0 because human beings cannot turn themselves into birds or any other animal.

Correct?

Can an equation be set up for this question?

 

[MarkFL]

Well, there are zero known ways for a human being to become a bird, so we can simply say the probability here is zero. The total number of outcomes is one, and that is she will have not changed species on or before the end of the day, so there is only 1 possible outcome, thus:

P(X) = 0/1 = 0

 

[mathdad]

I can see that probability is not easy.

 

[HallsofIvy]

I can see that probability is not easy.

It looks to me like a large part of your problem with probability is that you keep telling yourself this.

 

[mathdad]

It looks to me like a large part of your problem with probability is that you keep telling yourself this.

When the time comes, I will dive into this area of math a little deeper.

 

[HallsofIvy]

If "the time" has not yet come, why are you posting so many questions like these?