Question

Approximately 12% of the population is left-handed. If a school had a student population of 1,200 students how many of the students do you expect to be left-handed

Answer 1

144 students are expected to be left handed

Explanation:

Approximately 12% of the population is left-handed. This is not the exact number of left handed students but it is very close to it. It could be above or below the exact amount, hence the word, approximately was used.

In terms of probability, the probability of a student being left handed is 12/100 = 0.12. The probability of a student being right handed is 1 - 0.12 = 0.88. Therefore,

The expected number of left handed students is the probable number of left handed students and it is

0.12 x total number of students

= 0.12 × 1200 = 144 students