Suppose a real number is chosen from the interval [-1, 1]. Find the probability that the number is positive, and using geometric probability, I get 1/2. Simple, right? However, the next question asks what the probability of choosing a nonnegative real number is, and I do understand it is also 1/2. After finishing my homework, I'm wondering: Is it possible to choose 0, and what would the probability of choosing 0 be?

Paulkenyo

Paulkenyo

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2022-08-20

Suppose a real number is chosen from the interval [-1, 1].
Find the probability that the number is positive, and using geometric probability, I get 1/2. Simple, right?
However, the next question asks what the probability of choosing a nonnegative real number is, and I do understand it is also 1/2
After finishing my homework, I'm wondering: Is it possible to choose 0, and what would the probability of choosing 0 be?

Answer & Explanation

Darren Maxwell

Darren Maxwell

Beginner2022-08-21Added 13 answers

Explanation:
If the distribution is uniform, the probability of choosing 0 from [-1, 1] is zero. But you may say, if the probability of choosing any given number is zero, then the sum of all the probabilities would also be zero; but remember we are dealing with infinity.

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