Final answer:
The probability of finding exactly 4 flaws in 1000 feet of an optical-fiber cable with an average of 0.6 flaws per 100 feet is determined using the Poisson distribution formula.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the probability of finding exactly 4 flaws in 1000 feet of optical-fiber cable given a mean of 0.6 flaws per 100 feet. To find this probability, we can use the Poisson distribution formula:
P(X=k) = (e^(-λ) * λ^k) / k!
Where:
e is the base of the natural logarithm (approximately 2.71828),
λ (lambda) is the average rate of occurrence (the expected number of occurrences over the interval),
k is the number of occurrences for which we're finding the probability,
k! is the factorial of k.
In this case:
λ = 0.6 flaws per 100 feet * 10 (since we're considering 1000 feet) = 6 flaws,
k = 4 (the number of flaws we want to find the probability for).
So, the probability P(X=4) is:
P(X=4) = (e^(-6) * 6^4) / 4!
After calculating the above expression, we'll get the probability that there are exactly 4 flaws in 1000 feet of optical-fiber cable. This type of calculation is common in statistics and is crucial for quality control in manufacturing and engineering contexts.