Question

Every given minute an ameba is equally likely to do one of 3 things: (1) Die (2) Divide into two (3) Stay the same. If the ameba divides, each of the two cells will continue the above cycle independently. What is the probability that the ameba colony generated from a single cell will eventually die out.

Required:
What is the probability that the ameba colony generated from a single cell will eventually die out?

Answer 1

1

Explanation:

we have the probability of dyng = 1.3

we have probability of ying =

p0 = p1 = p2 = p3 = 1/3

d = dying

`d=(1)/(3) (1+d+d2)`

we cross multiply from here

3d = 1+d+d2

3d-d = 1+d2

2d = 1 + d2

(d-1)2 = 0

2d - 2 = 0

2d = 2

divide through by 2

d = 1

therefore there is a a confirmed probability that the ameba from a single cell is eventually going to die out.