A certain airplane has two independent alternators to provide electrical power. The probability that a given alternator will fail on a 1- hour flight is .02. What is the probability that (a) both will fail? (b) Neither will fail? (c) One or the other will fail? Show all steps.

Question

A certain airplane has two independent alternators to provide electrical power.  The probability that a given  alternator will fail on a  1- hour flight is .02. What is the probability that (a) both will fail? (b) Neither will fail? (c) One or the other  will fail? Show all steps.

drwls · Answer

(a) (0.02)^2 = 0.0004 (b) (0.98)^2 = 0.9604 (c) (0.02)(0.98) + (0.98)(0.02) = 0.0392 Note that the sum is 1.0000