Probabilty an event will occur

  • Thread starter cpscdave
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In summary, the conversation discusses the probability of an event occurring on any given day, based on its average occurrence rate. The probability of the event occurring in the next 2 days is calculated by subtracting the probability it does not occur from 1. This approach can also be applied to finding the probability of the event occurring within a longer timeframe.
  • #1
cpscdave
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Can someone confirm if I'm going about this the right way

If I have an event that on average has occurred once every 10 days.
The probablity of that event occurring on any given day is 1/10
so then the probabilty the event occur tommorow 1/10
the probabilty the event will occur within the next 2 days is:
(1-1/10)*1/10+1/10
Pobabilty the event didnt occur on the first day but on the second plus the probabilty the event occurred on the first day.
And so on for 3 days, 4 days etc etc etc

Thanks!
-Dave
 
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  • #2
Assuming the events occur independently of each other (for example, if it happens it is just as likely to happen again tomorrow as usual), then I think your analysis is sound.

Notice you could solve that 2 day problem slightly easier (which makes solving. e.g. the 8 day problem much easier). The probability that it occurs in the next two days is one minus the probability it does not occur. The probability it does not occur in either of the next two days is simply (9/10)2, so the probability it occurs at least once in the next two days is 1-(9/10)2. Not too helpful for in the next two days, but if someone wanted you to find the probability the event occurs in the next 14 days, for example, then this would make your expression a lot simpler.
 
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Related to Probabilty an event will occur

1. What is probability and how is it calculated?

Probability is the measure of the likelihood that an event will occur. It is calculated by dividing the number of desired outcomes by the total number of possible outcomes.

2. How is probability different from odds?

Probability and odds are two different ways of expressing the likelihood of an event occurring. Probability is expressed as a number between 0 and 1, while odds are expressed as a ratio of desired outcomes to total outcomes.

3. What is the difference between independent and dependent events?

Independent events are events that do not affect each other's probability. The outcome of one event does not impact the outcome of the other event. On the other hand, dependent events are events where the outcome of one event does affect the probability of the other event.

4. How does the Law of Large Numbers relate to probability?

The Law of Large Numbers states that as the number of trials or experiments increases, the observed results will approach the expected or theoretical probability. This means that the more times an experiment is repeated, the closer the results will be to the predicted probability.

5. What are some common misconceptions about probability?

One common misconception is the belief in the "gambler's fallacy," where people believe that if an event has not occurred for a while, it is more likely to occur in the future. In reality, each event is independent and has the same probability of occurring regardless of past outcomes. Another misconception is the belief that probability can be manipulated or controlled. Probability is based on chance and cannot be controlled or influenced by outside factors.

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