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Probability

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by CITI29 » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:27 am
In a certain animal population, for each of the first 3
months of life, the probability that an animal will die
during that month is 1/10 . For a group of 200 newborn
members of the population, approximately how many
would be expected to survive the first 3 months of
life?

(A) 140
(B) 146
(C) 152
(D) 162
(E) 170

ans : 'b'

explain pls
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Source: — Problem Solving |

by GMATDavid » Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:13 pm
Because the probability of death applies to each of the three months, you need to calculate how many are still alive at the end of each month.

At the end of the 1st month, it is expected that 20 will die (1/10 of 200), leaving only 180.

At the end of the 2d month, it is expected that 18 will die (1/10 of 180), leaving only 162.

At the end of the 3d month, it is expected that about 16 will die (1/10 of 162) leaving 146.
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