What is the probability of a student engaging in specific behaviors in a class?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a probability problem involving a class of 500 students and their behaviors related to smoking, drinking, and snacking. The original poster seeks assistance in calculating specific probabilities based on given data about these behaviors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of a Venn diagram to visualize the relationships between the behaviors. There are attempts to calculate probabilities based on intersections of the sets representing the behaviors.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem using a Venn diagram, while others express confusion about the probability calculations. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to clarify the problem setup and explore different interpretations of the data.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific numerical data regarding student behaviors and are trying to navigate the complexities of calculating probabilities from this information. There is an acknowledgment of the challenge posed by the problem's requirements.

csc2iffy
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Homework Statement



This is one of my study guide questions and I need a little help

Suppose that in a class of 500 students 210 smoke, 258 drink, 216 snack, 122 smoke and drink, 83 snack and drink, 97 smoke and snack, and 52 do all three. What is the probability that a student:
(a) smokes but doesn't not drink
(b) snacks and drinks, but doesn't smoke
(c) neither smokes or drinks


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Sm=smokes
D=drinks
Sn=snacks

(a) Prob(Sm \cap ~D) = P(Sm)-P(Sm\capD = (210/500)-??
 
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have you tried drawing a venn diagram?
 
yes, but I'm getting confused because of the probability part
 
the probability of any portion of the venn diagram is just the number of students in it divided by 500
 
this is my diagram... but how many people are left in c? i feel like this problem is simple but I'm just not seeing it
 

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you should have 3 circles, start filling it form the middle out

you know 52 do all three

and you know 97 smoke and snack

this mean 97-52=45 smoke and snack but do not drink, and so on
 
wow! it says it right in the question..nevermind lol
 
thank you for your help!
 
\cup
 
  • #10
no worries
 

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