Question

3) An oil prospector will drill a succession of holes in a given area to find a productive well. The probability that he is successful on a given trial is 0.2. What is the probability that the third hole drilled is the first to yield a productive well?

Answer 1

Answer: 0.128

Explanation:

The geometric probability of getting success on nth trial is given by :-

`P(n)=p(1-p)^(n-1)`

Given : The probability that he is successful on a given trial
`p= 0.2`.

Then , the probability that the third hole drilled is the first to yield a productive well is given by :-

`P(3)=0.2(1-0.2)^(3-1)=0.128`

Hence, the probability that the third hole drilled is the first to yield a productive well = 0.128