Question

Using Probability to Form Conclusions. In Exercises 37–40, use the given probability value todeterminewhether the sample results could easily occur by chance, then form a conclusion.

Predicting Gender A study addressed the issue of whether pregnant women can correctly predict the gender of their baby. Among 104 pregnant women, 57 correctly predicted the gender of their baby (based on data from “Are Women Carrying ‘Basketballs’. . . ,” by Perry, DiPietro, Constigan, Birth, Vol. 26, No. 3). If pregnant women have no such ability, there is a 0.327 probability of getting such sample results by chance. What do you conclude?

Short answer

The probability of getting results by chance equal to 0.327 is large. Thus, it can be said that the sample results occur by chance.

Since a decent number of sample results occur by chance, it cannot be concluded that pregnant women can correctly predict the gender of their babies.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

Out of 104 pregnant women, 57 can correctly predict the gender of the baby.

Probability of an event 

The likelihood of a result is determined by itsprobability value.

Its value ranges from 0 to 1.

A event with a chance of less than 0.05 is said to be an unlikely or rare event.

The range of values depends upon the required nature and precision of the event.

Interpretation and conclusion of the given value

The probability of getting sample results by luck/chance is given to be equal to 0.327. The value is considered ahigh probability value as it is greater than the threshold value of 0.05.

As a fair number of results occur by chance, it cannot be concluded that pregnant women accurately predict the gender of their babies.