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Probability using Poisson Distribution

  1. Jan 29, 2009 #1

    Suppose a typographical errors committed by a typesetter occurs randomly. If that a book of 600 pages contains 600 such errors, calculate the probability by using Poisson's distribution.
    i) that a page contains no errors
    ii) that a page contains at least three errors

    2. Relevant equations

    W(n) = [tex]\lambda[/tex]n e -[tex]\lambda[/tex] / n!

    3. The attempt at a solution

    I related [tex]\lambda[/tex] = Np, the mean number of errors and proceeded. I am supposed to get 0.37 for part i) of the problem but I didn't get it right. Any suggestion?

  2. jcsd
  3. Jan 29, 2009 #2


    Staff: Mentor

    Isn't lambda the mean number of errors per page? If so, it would be 1. Using the formula, W(0) = 1^0 * e^(-1)/0! = 1/e ~ .37