Probability question:

I have the following problem, which I am supposed to solve with MS Excel, but I don't mind trying on my notebook first:

"Stem Cell Survey: Adults were randomly selected for a Newsweek poll, and they were asked if they 'favor or oppose using federal tax dollars to fund medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos.' Of the adults selected, 481 were in favor, 401 were opposed, and 120 were unsure. Based on these results, find the probability that a randomly selected adult would respond in favor. Is it unusual for an adult to be in favor?"

Which form

Question

Probability question:

I have the following problem, which I am supposed to solve with MS Excel, but I don't mind trying on my notebook first:

"Stem Cell Survey: Adults were randomly selected for a Newsweek poll, and they were asked if they 'favor or oppose using federal tax dollars to fund medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos.' Of the adults selected, 481 were in favor, 401 were opposed, and 120 were unsure. Based on these results, find the probability that a randomly selected adult would respond in favor. Is it unusual for an adult to be in favor?"

Which form

arwym · Answer

Which formula?

I was told to sum the amount of participants and divide the number of people who responded in favor between the total number of adults who participated. Hence, 481/1002. Is this correct?

phi · Answer

yes

arwym · Answer

As for the second question: do I just respond according to my observations, or must I use a formula to determine the likeliness? Is the likeliness the same as 1/3?

phi · Answer

Is it unusual for an adult to be in favor?"

Is there a technical definition of unusual?  But in this case, the probability is about 50%, so it isn't unusual by any reasonable definition.

arwym · Answer

All right, that's what I thought.  :)  Thank you!