Age Number of Multiple Births

15-19 93
20-24 505
25-29 1624
30-34 2840
35-39 1847
40-44 379
45-54 116
Determine the probability that a randomly selected multiple birth for women​ 15-54 years old involved a mother who was at least 40 years old. Interpret this result. Is it​ unusual?
Find the probability that a randomly selected multiple birth for women​ 15-54 years old involved a mother who was at least 40 years old.

1 answer

To determine the probability, we need to find the number of multiple births that involved a mother who was at least 40 years old and divide it by the total number of multiple births.

The total number of multiple births for women 15-54 years old is the sum of the numbers of multiple births in each age group:
Total multiple births = 93 + 505 + 1624 + 2840 + 1847 + 379 + 116 = 7404

The number of multiple births involving a mother who was at least 40 years old is the sum of the numbers of multiple births in the age groups 40-44 and 45-54:
Multiple births with mother at least 40 years old = 379 + 116 = 495

Therefore, the probability that a randomly selected multiple birth involves a mother who was at least 40 years old is given by:
Probability = (Multiple births with mother at least 40 years old) / (Total multiple births)
Probability = 495 / 7404 ≈ 0.067 or 6.7%

Interpretation:
This means that approximately 6.7% of all multiple births for women aged 15-54 involve a mother who is at least 40 years old.

Unusualness:
To determine whether this result is unusual, we would need to establish what would be considered unusual in this context. Without further information, it is difficult to say if 6.7% is unusual or not.