Question

suppose a poll of 1150 adults asked whether increasing domestic energy production or protecting the environment should be given a higher priority. the results are shown to the right.
response
increase production
protect environment
equally important
no opinion
total
number
493
533
93
31
1150
if we select a person at random from this sample of 1150 adults,
a) what is the probability that the person responded \protect environment\?
b) what is the probability that the person responded \equally important\ or had no opinion?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall probability formula

The probability formula is $P(A)=\frac{n(A)}{n(S)}$, where $n(A)$ is the number of favorable outcomes and $n(S)$ is the total number of outcomes. Here, $n(S) = 1150$ (total number of adults in the sample).

Step2: Calculate probability for part a

For the probability that a person responded "Protect environment", $n(A)=533$. So $P(\text{Protect environment})=\frac{533}{1150}$.

Step3: Calculate probability for part b

For the probability that a person responded "Equally important" or had no opinion, $n(A)=93 + 31=124$. So $P(\text{Equally important or no opinion})=\frac{124}{1150}=\frac{62}{575}$.

Answer:

a. $\frac{533}{1150}$
b. $\frac{62}{575}$