Definition Of Failure

Failure is any outcome other than the desired outcome.
For example, suppose you toss a coin and you want a head to show up.
But if a tail shows up, then it is called a failure.

Video Examples: iCoachMath works
 

Solved Example on Failure

Ques: On an average, there is rainfall on 12 days in every 31 days. To find the probability that it rains for 2 days every week, describe a trial (n) and a success (x) and find the probability of a failure (q).

Choices:

A. n = 7, x = 2, q = 0.39
B. n = 7, x = 2, q = 0.61 
C. n = 2, x = 7, q = 0.39 
D. n = 2, x = 7, q = 0.61 
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Step 1: The number of trials is the number of days in a week, so n = 7.
Step 2: If it rains, then it is a success. So, x = 2.
Step 3: The probability for a success, 
p = 12/31 = 0.39. [p + q = 1.]
Step 4: q = 1 - p = 1 - 0.39 = 0.61

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