Question

John is a basketball player with an average of 71% free throws made. He's shooting 35 free throws for a charity event. If he makes 30, he wins the prize. What is the probability he will get the prize

Answer 1

Solution:

Given that, p = 0.71 and n = 35.

We want to find the probability that he will win the prize.

That means he must have to make 30 successful throws.

i.e. P(X>= 30)

Using the rule of probability, P(X>=x) = 1 - P (X < 30)

P(X < 30) = P(X<= 29)

Hence we need to find cummulative probability for x=29

Using Excel enter the command =BINOMDIST(29,35,0.71,TRUE)

We will get the probability as P(X<=29) = 0.964473

So P(X>= 30) = 1 - P(X<= 29) = 1 - 0.964473 = 0.035527

Hence the probability that he will win the prize is 0.035527.