Probability question in telephone network failures

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the probability of telephone network failures, specifically determining the likelihood that a telephone owner will experience more than four failures in a month, given an average of eight failures. The subject area pertains to probability distributions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the appropriate distribution to model the problem, with initial thoughts on using the binomial distribution. Questions arise about the suitability of the Poisson distribution as an approximation and the potential application of the Central Limit Theorem.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different statistical approaches, with some participants suggesting the Poisson distribution as more appropriate. Others are considering the implications of using the Central Limit Theorem and how it relates to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the assumptions regarding the number of trials and the nature of the probability of failure, with some uncertainty about the parameters involved in the distributions being discussed.

twoflower
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Hi,

I have this problem

Homework Statement



In telephone network, an average number of failures during a month for one telephone owner is 8. What is the probability that some telephone owner will experience more than 4 failures?

The Attempt at a Solution



I have no idea what distribution should I use to model this problem. So far I've come up with binomial distribution with probability of individual event 8/k, where k is number of connection the telephonist will make during a month.

But that seems really odd to me...

Could someone help please?

Thank you.
 
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So you have the situation where there are k trials (attempted calls), the probability of "success" (i.e. there is a fault) is 8/k, and k is probably large.

What distribution is an approximation to the Binomial(n,p) as n becomes large and np stays constant?
 
AlephZero said:
So you have the situation where there are k trials (attempted calls), the probability of "success" (i.e. there is a fault) is 8/k, and k is probably large.

What distribution is an approximation to the Binomial(n,p) as n becomes large and np stays constant?

One way is to approximate it with Poisson distribution, but can I solve it using Central Limit Theorem? Which one is better?
 
I tried to finish it using the Poisson distribution and it seems ok.

Anyway, using Central Limit Theorem I got result depending on n, is it ok?
 
Yeap, I think Poisson distribution is more appropriate here.
 

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