1. The number of defects in rolls of aluminum sheet average 3.5 defects per 100 feet. The company presi- dent is accompanying overseas visitors on a tour of the plant, and they have just arrived at the aluminum-sheet machine. If they remain at the machine long enough to observe 32 feet of aluminum being produced, what is the probability that they will have left the area before the next defect occurs?
2. The mileage death rate for motorcycle riders has been estimated to be about 39 deaths per 100 million miles of motorcycle travel. A national motorcycling association has 1200 members who travel a total of 2 million miles each year on their motorcycles. What is the probability that the next highway fatality experienced by the association will not occur until more than a year from now? Until more than 2 years from now?
Source: USAToday.com, July 30, 2006.