Binomial Distribution Problems

Problem 1:

Consider a Binomial experiment with 2 trials and p =0.4.

a) Draw a tree diagram for this experiment.

b) Compute the probability of one success
c) Compute the probability of no success
d) Compute the probability of two successes.
e) Compute the probability of at least one success
f) Compute the expected value, variance and standard deviation.

Answer
a.
S

S F

F
S

 2 2!
b. f (1)    (.4)1 (.6)1  (.4)(.6)  .48
1 1!1!

 2 2!
c. f (0)    (.4) 0 (.6) 2  (1)(.36)  .36
0
  0!2!

 2 2!
d. f (2)    (.4) 2 (.6)0  (.16)(1)  .16
 2 2!0!

e. P(x  1) = f (1) + f (2) = .48 + .16 = .64

f. E(x) = n p = 2 (.4) = .8

Var(x) = n p (1 - p) = 2 (.4) (.6) = .48

 = .48 = .6928
Problem 2:

When a new machine is functioning properly, only 3% of the items produced are defective.
Assume that we will randomly select 2 parts produced on the machine and that we are
interested in the number of defective parts found.

a) Describe the conditions under which this situation will be a binomial experiment?
b) Draw a tree diagram showing that this problem is a two trial experiment.
c) How many experimental outcomes result in exactly one defect being found?
d) Compute the probabilities associated with finding no defects, exactly one defect, and
two defects.

Answer

a. Probability of a defective part being produced must be .03 for each part selected; parts
must be selected independently.

b. Let: D = defective

G = not defective

c. 2 outcomes result in exactly one defect.

 d. P(no defects) = (.97) (.97) = .9409

P (1 defect) = 2 (.03) (.97) = .0582

P (2 defects) = (.03) (.03) = .0009

Problem 3:

An MBA graduate is applying for nine jobs, and believes that she has in each of the nine
cases a constant and independent 0.48 probability of getting an offer.

a) What is the probability that she will have at least 3 offers?

b) If she wants to be 95% confident of having at least three offers, how many more jobs
should she apply for? (Assume each of these additional applications will also have
the same probability of success.)
c) If there are no more than the original nine jobs that she can apply for, what value of
probability of success would give her 95% confidence of at least three offers?

Using the Binomial Template, we get the following answers:

a) 0.8889
b) 11
c) 0.55