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Chapter 5: Q. R5.1 (page 355)

Butter side down Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University in England

determined that if a piece of toast is dropped from a2.5-foot-high table, the probability

that it lands butter side down is 0.81.

a. Explain what this probability means.

b. Suppose that the researchers dropped 4pieces of toast, and all of them landed butter

side down. Does that make it more likely that the next piece of toast will land with the

butter side up? Explain your answer.

Short Answer

Expert verified

(a)This probability means that if a piece of toast is dropped from a 2.5-foot-high table,then there is 81% possibility

that it lands butter side down.

(b)No,it does not make it more likely that the next piece of toast will land with the

butter side up.

Step by step solution

01

Part (a) Step 1:Given Information

We have been given that,

A piece of toast is dropped from a 2.5-foot-high table, the probability that it lands butter side down is 0.81.

02

Part (a) Step 2:Explanation

This probability means that if a piece of toast is dropped from a 2.5-foot-high table,then there is 81% possibility that it lands butter side down.

03

Part (b) Step 1:Given Information

We have been given that,

Number of pieces of toast dropped = 4

All dropped pieces of toast landed butter side down.

04

Part (b) Step 2:Explanation

No,it does not make it more likely that the next piece of toast will land with the butter side up.

This is because the probability of falling of toast butter side up is independent of whether previously it had landed butter side up or down.

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