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#1 2012-12-13 11:17:27
- JaneDyan
- Guest
Probability
Please help me with this problem:
An oil-prospecting firm plans to drill 2 exploratory wells. Past evidence shows that the probability that neither well produces oil is 0.8; the probability that exactly one well produces oil is 0.18; and the probability that both wells produces is 0.02. What is the probability that at most one well produces oil? At least one?
#2 2012-12-13 12:10:49
- bobbym
- Administrator
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Re: Probability
Hi JaneDyan;
Welcome to the forum.
What is the probability that at most one well produces oil?
That can mean 0 or 1 so
.8 + .18 = .98
At least one?
That means 1 or 2 which is the complement of none.
1 - .8 = .2
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
#3 2012-12-13 12:47:45
- JaneDyan
- Guest
Re: Probability
Thank you very much! 
Following the manner on how you solve the problem, I realized that the first question could also be answered by
getting the complement/not the probability of both wells producing oil:
1-.02=0.98
#4 2012-12-13 12:50:56
- bobbym
- Administrator
Offline
Re: Probability
Hi JaneDyan;
Yes, that is another way of getting it.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest notion what it means.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.