Math Problem Statement

A machine produces parts that are either good (90%), slightly defective (2%), or obviously defective (8%). Produced parts get passed through an automatic inspection machine, which is able to detect any part that is obviously defective and discard it. The machine passes the part if it is not obviously defective. If it makes through the inspection machine and get shipped, what is the probability that it is a good quality part?

Select one:

0.9

0.978

0.742

0.685

None of the above

Solution

This is a classic problem in conditional probability. We are asked to find the probability that a part is good given that it has passed the inspection machine. Let's solve this step-by-step.

Step 1: Defining Events

  • Let GG be the event that the part is good.
  • Let SS be the event that the part is slightly defective.
  • Let OO be the event that the part is obviously defective.
  • Let PP be the event that the part passes the inspection machine.

We are given:

  • P(G)=0.90P(G) = 0.90 (90% of the parts are good)
  • P(S)=0.02P(S) = 0.02 (2% of the parts are slightly defective)
  • P(O)=0.08P(O) = 0.08 (8% of the parts are obviously defective)

The inspection machine detects and discards all obviously defective parts, so a part will pass the inspection only if it is either good or slightly defective.

Step 2: Finding P(P)P(P) (Probability that a part passes inspection)

A part will pass the inspection if it is not obviously defective, which means it is either good or slightly defective. Therefore:

P(P)=P(G)+P(S)=0.90+0.02=0.92P(P) = P(G) + P(S) = 0.90 + 0.02 = 0.92

Step 3: Applying Conditional Probability Formula

We are interested in the probability that the part is good given that it has passed the inspection, which is represented as P(GP)P(G|P). Using the conditional probability formula:

P(GP)=P(GP)P(P)P(G|P) = \frac{P(G \cap P)}{P(P)}

Since all good parts pass the inspection, P(GP)=P(G)=0.90P(G \cap P) = P(G) = 0.90. So:

P(GP)=0.900.920.978P(G|P) = \frac{0.90}{0.92} \approx 0.978

Final Answer:

The probability that a part is good given that it passed the inspection is 0.978.

Thus, the correct answer is 0.978.


Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions:

  1. What would the probability be if slightly defective parts were also discarded?
  2. How would the result change if the machine had a 5% chance of failing to detect obviously defective parts?
  3. How do we calculate the probability if there were more categories for defective parts?
  4. How would the solution change if good parts had a small chance of being rejected?
  5. Can you extend this problem to more than one inspection stage?

Tip: Always double-check conditional probabilities by reviewing how the conditions influence the entire sample space.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability
Conditional Probability

Formulas

P(G|P) = P(G ∩ P) / P(P)
P(P) = P(G) + P(S)

Theorems

Bayes' Theorem
Law of Total Probability

Suitable Grade Level

College-Level or Advanced High School