[Math] Smallest value of n

probabilityprobability distributionsprobability theory

Let $X$ have a binomial distribution with parameters $n$ and $p=1/3$. determine the smallest integer n can be such that $P(X\ge1)\ge0.85$. In this problem I am stuck with $\frac{2^n (2^{-1}n+1)}{3^n}\ge0.15$

Best Answer

$\Pr(X \ge 1)=1-\Pr(X=0)=1-\left(\frac23\right)^n$.

If this is greater than or equal to $0.85$ then $\left(\frac23\right)^n \le 0.15$, i.e. $n \log(2/3) \le \log(0.15)$.

Note the negative logarithms and you get $n \ge \dfrac{\log(20)-\log(3)}{\log(3)-\log(2)}$.

Calculate and round up to an integer.

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