Question

A botanist has developed a new hybrid cotton plant that can withstand insects better than other cotton plants. However, there is some concern about the germination of seeds from the new plant. To estimate the probability that a ^seed from the new plant will germinate, a random sample of 3000 seeds was planted in warm, moist soil. Of these seeds, 2030 germinated. (a) Use relative frequencies to estimate the probability that a seed will germinate. What is your estimate? (Enter your answer to 3 decimal places.)

Answer 1

Solution:

Given: A random sample of 3000 seeds was planted in warm, moist soil. Of these seeds, 2030 germinated.

That is: n = Total number of seeds was planted in warm, moist soil = 3000

x = number of seeds  germinated = 2030

We have to use relative frequencies to estimate the probability that a seed will germinate.

Relative frequency is given by:

$Relative\: \: Frequency = \frac{x}{n}$

$Relative\: \: Frequency = \frac{2030}{3000}$

$Relative\: \: Frequency = 0.6766667$

$Relative\: \: Frequency = 0.677$

Thus  the probability that a seed will germinate = 0.677