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hwrdcarolyn
Mar 1, 2010, 12:57 PM
A certain airplane has two independent alternators to provide electrical power. The probability
that a given alternator will fail on a 1-hour flight is .02. What is the probability that (a) both will
fail? (b) Neither will fail? (c) One or the other will fail? Show all steps carefully.

Unknown008
Mar 2, 2010, 09:13 AM
This question actually falls in the category of Mathematics.

P(both will fail) = P(one fails) x P(other fails)

P(neither fails) = P(one not fail) x P(other not fail) = [1 - P(one fails)] x [1 - P(other fails)]

P(one or the other fails) = P(first fails, but not second) + P(first does not fail, but second does) = (P(first fails) x P(second not fail)) + (P(first not fail) x P(second fails))

Can you do it now?