97.8k views
0 votes
13. A recent survey by the cancer society has shown that the probability that someone is a smoker is P(S) = 0.31. They have also determined that the probability that someone has lung

cancer, given that they are a smoker is P(LCS) = 0.226. What is the probability (rounded to the nearest hundredth) that a random person is a smoker and has lung cancer
P(SnLC)?

-0.08

-0.73

-0.25

-0.07

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer: Choice D) 0.07

=======================================================

Work Shown:

  • S = person is a smoker
  • LC = person has lung cancer
  • P(S) = 0.31 = probability someone is a smoker
  • P(LC given S) = probability someone has lung cancer, given they are a smoker
  • P(LC given S) = 0.226

Use that given info to say the following:

P(LC given S) = P(LC and S)/P(S)

P(LC and S) = P(LC given S)*P(S)

P(LC and S) = 0.31*0.226

P(LC and S) = 0.07006

P(LC and S) = 0.07

This problem is an example of using conditional probability.

I used "and" in place of the intersection symbol
\cap

Saying P(LC and S) is the same as P(S and LC). The order doesn't matter.

User Muhib Pirani
by
8.5k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.