TUTORIAL 5
Question 45
The population of a particular country consists of three ethnic groups. Each individual belongs to one
of the four major blood groups. The accompanying joint probability table gives the proportions of
individuals in the various ethnic group–blood group combinations.
Suppose that an individual is randomly selected from the population, and define events by
A={type A selected}, B={type B selected}, and C={ethnic group 3 selected}.
a. Calculate 𝑃(𝐴), 𝑃(𝐶), and 𝑃(𝐴 ∩ 𝐶)
b. Calculate both 𝑃(𝐴|𝐶) and 𝑃(𝐶|𝐴), and explain in context what each of these probabilities
represents.
c. If the selected individual does not have type B blood, what is the probability that he or she is from
ethnic group 1?
Question 56
For any events A and B with 𝑃(𝐵) > 0, show that 𝑃(𝐴|𝐵) + 𝑃(𝐴′ |𝐵) = 1.
Question 57
If 𝑃(𝐵|𝐴) > 𝑃(𝐵), show that 𝑃(𝐵 ′|𝐴) < 𝑃(𝐵 ′ ). [Hint: Add 𝑃(𝐵 ′ |𝐴) to both sides of the given inequality
and then use the result of Exercise 56.]
Question 60
Seventy percent of the light aircraft that disappear while in flight in a certain country are subsequently
discovered. Of the aircraft that are discovered, 60% have an emergency locator, whereas 90% of the
aircraft not discovered do not have such a locator. Suppose a light aircraft has disappeared.
a. If it has an emergency locator, what is the probability that it will not be discovered?
b. If it does not have an emergency locator, what is the probability that it will be discovered?
Question 73
If A and B are independent events, show that A’ and B are also independent. [Hint: First establish a
relationship between 𝑃(𝐴′ ∩ 𝐵), 𝑃(𝐵), and 𝑃(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵).]
Question 79
Two pumps connected in parallel fail independently of one another on any given day. The probability
that only the older pump will fail is .10, and the probability that only the newer pump will fail is .05.
What is the probability that the pumping system will fail on any given day (which happens if both
pumps fail)?
Question 83
Components arriving at a distributor are checked for defects by two different inspectors (each
component is checked by both inspectors). The first inspector detects 90% of all defectives that are
present, and the second inspector does likewise. At least one inspector does not detect a defect on
20% of all defective components. What is the probability that the following occur?
a. A defective component will be detected only by the first inspector? By exactly one of the two
inspectors?
b. All three defective components in a batch escape detection by both inspectors (assuming
inspections of different components are independent of one another)?
Question 104
A company uses three different assembly lines—A1, A2, and A3—to manufacture a particular
component. Of those manufactured by line A1, 5% need rework to remedy a defect, whereas 8% of
A2’s components need rework and 10% of A3’s need rework. Suppose that 50% of all components are
produced by line A1, 30% are produced by line A2, and 20% come from line A3. If a randomly selected
component needs rework, what is the probability that it came from line A 1? From line A2? From line
A3?
