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tonytran14896
A string of 10 lightbulbs is wired in such a way that if any individual lighbulb fails, the entire string fails. If for each individual lightbulb the probability of failing during a certain time period is 0.05, what is the probability that the string of lightbulbs will NOT fail during said time period?
a. 0.05
b. (0.05)^10
c. 1 - (0.05)^10
d. (0.95)^10
e. 1 - (0.95)^10

Think about it: When will the string of lightbulbs not fail? Only when all lightbulbs stay alive simultaneously.

P (a lightbulb will stay alive) = 1 - 0.05 = 0.95

So probability that all lightbulbs stay live simultaneously \(= 0.95 * 0.95 * 0.95.....0.95 = (0.95)^{10}\)
(0.95s will be multiplied because it is an "and" situation. You need the first "and" the second "and" the third etc to stay alive)

Answer (D)

asking this out of curiosity .what will be the question if the answer would be c .
my thinking is a bit weird please forgive me. :roll:
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tonytran14896
A string of 10 lightbulbs is wired in such a way that if any individual lighbulb fails, the entire string fails. If for each individual lightbulb the probability of failing during a certain time period is 0.05, what is the probability that the string of lightbulbs will NOT fail during said time period?
a. 0.05
b. (0.05)^10
c. 1 - (0.05)^10
d. (0.95)^10
e. 1 - (0.95)^10

Similar question to practice: a-string-of-10-light-bulbs-is-wired-in-such-a-way-that-if-131205.html
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VeritasPrepKarishma
tonytran14896
A string of 10 lightbulbs is wired in such a way that if any individual lighbulb fails, the entire string fails. If for each individual lightbulb the probability of failing during a certain time period is 0.05, what is the probability that the string of lightbulbs will NOT fail during said time period?
a. 0.05
b. (0.05)^10
c. 1 - (0.05)^10
d. (0.95)^10
e. 1 - (0.95)^10

Think about it: When will the string of lightbulbs not fail? Only when all lightbulbs stay alive simultaneously.

P (a lightbulb will stay alive) = 1 - 0.05 = 0.95

So probability that all lightbulbs stay live simultaneously \(= 0.95 * 0.95 * 0.95.....0.95 = (0.95)^{10}\)
(0.95s will be multiplied because it is an "and" situation. You need the first "and" the second "and" the third etc to stay alive)

Answer (D)

asking this out of curiosity .what will be the question if the answer would be c .
my thinking is a bit weird please forgive me. :roll:



.05 is the probability of a light bulb failing.
(.05)^10 is the probability of EVERY light bulb failing.

1 - (.05)^10 is the probability that not every light bulb fails.

In a situation like this, you could use it:
A room has 10 light bulbs and a weaver needs to weave a cloth there this evening. He needs at least one light bulb working to weave. What is the probability that he will be able to weave?
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