Simple probability question that I want to have work checked

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a probability problem related to a manufacturing machine that produces defective parts with a specified probability. The original poster seeks to determine how many parts must be produced to achieve a certain probability of producing at least one defective part.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the number of parts needed by using the complement probability of producing all good parts. They express their reasoning through a series of probability equations and logarithmic calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants engage with the original poster's calculations, confirming the correctness of the computations while also questioning the terminology used in the explanation. There is an acknowledgment of the original poster's approach, but no explicit consensus is reached on the interpretation of terms.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of formatting issues in the thread, which may have affected the clarity of the original poster's message. The problem context is framed within the constraints of homework guidelines, focusing on understanding rather than providing direct solutions.

thepatient
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Homework Statement


A manufacturing machine produces defects with a probability of 0.1%. How many parts must the machine produce to have a 99.9% chance of producing at least 1 defective part?

Homework Equations



P(A) + P(B) = 1

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
A in this case is the machine produces at least one defective part
B is the case when the machine produces all good parts

The probability that the machine produces a good part in the first try is:
P(B) = 1 - .001 = .999

The probability that the machine produces two good parts consecutively is:
P(B) = .999*.999 = .999^2

So I assume the probability that the machine produces n good parts consecutively would be:
P(B) = .999^n

Therefore the probability that the machine produces at least 1 bad part part within n consecutive parts must be:
P(A) = 1 - .999^n

Using P(A) = .999 and solving for n.

.999 = 1 - .999^n

ln(.001)/(ln(.999) = n = 6904.3 = 6905 parts

Does that make sense? That we need to produce 6905 parts to have a 99.9 percent chance of 1 defective part?
 
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thepatient said:

Homework Statement


A manufacturing machine produces defects with a probability of 0.1%. How many parts must the machine produce to have a 99.9% chance of producing at least 1 defective part?

Homework Equations



P(A) + P(B) = 1

The Attempt at a Solution



A in this case is the machine produces at least one defective part
B is the case when the machine produces all good parts

The probability that the machine produces a good part in the first try is:
P(B) = 1 - .001 = .999

The probability that the machine produces two good parts consecutively is:
P(B) = .999*.999 = .999^2

So I assume the probability that the machine produces n good parts consecutively would be:
P(B) = .999^n

Therefore the probability that the machine produces at least 1 bad part part after n consecutive parts must be:
P(A) = 1 - .999^n

Using P(A) = .999 and solving for n.

.999 = 1 - .999^n

ln(.001)/(ln(.999) = n = 6904.3 = 6905 parts

Does that make sense? That we need to produce 6905 parts to have a 99.9 percent chance of 1 defective part?[/B]

The probability that all of the first ##n## parts are good is ##P_n = 0.999^n##, so the complement of that is the probability that not all of the first ##n## parts are good. Your use of the word "after" threw me; I would rather use the word "among" or "within", because that is exactly what the quantity ##1-P_n## would mean.

Anyway, you computations make sense and are also correct.

PS: why do you write in all bold font? It makes it look like you are shouting!
 
Oops sorry. I clicked the space after the 3rd question, and everything after that came out bold. I just realized now that there is a formatting tool above. I'll edit that.
 
Thanks for taking a look. :smile:
 

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