The probability of a randomly selected adult in one country being infected with a certain virus is 0.002. In tests for the​ virus, blood samples from 30 people are combined. What is the probability that the combined sample tests positive for the​ virus? Is it unlikely for such a combined sample to test​ positive? Note that the combined sample tests positive if at least one person has the virus.

Answer :

Answer:

The probability that the combined sample tests positive for the​ virus is 0.058 approximately.

Step-by-step explanation:

Consider the provided information.

It is given that the probability of infected with a certain virus is 0.002.

This can be written as:  

p = probability of infected with virus = 0.002.

The probability of not infected with virus is:

q = probability of not infected with virus = 1 - p = 0.998

Blood samples from 30 people are combined.

Therefore the value of n is 30.

It is given that the combined sample tests positive if at least one person has the virus.

This can be written as:

[tex]P(x>0)=1-P[x=0][/tex]

Where x is the number of people infected with virus.

[tex]P(x>0)=1-\binom{30}{0}(0.002)^0\times (0.998)^{30}\\P(x>0)\approx1-0.942\\P(x>0)=0.058[/tex]

0.058 means that the probability is 5% that the combined test will be positive.

So, it is not unlikely for the combined sample tests positive for the virus.

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