Chapter 8.1, Problem 8.7E

(a)

To determine

To explain would the births of consecutive boys at different hospital in another small town in united States be just as newsworthy or not and also explain do we think this associated press report is very unusual or not.

Answer to Problem 8.7E

  $0.0000015$

Explanation of Solution

Yes, because the events is extremely unusual:

  $\begin{array}{l}P(16\text{ consecutive boys)}={0.5}^{16}\\ =0.0000015\\ =0.00015\%\end{array}$

(b)

To determine

To explain does this show the law of averages in action or not.

Explanation of Solution

No, because the law of averages states that for a very large number of births about half of them will be boys and the other half girls.