Question

Indicate using either a “B” (binomial) or a “P” (Poisson) which distribution you would use to predict random frequencies in the following data:

Number of teeth per person with cavities in the population
Number of times a fish inhales within a given time period
Number of Girl Scout cookie boxes sold in front of Walmart each day
Number of Drosophila legs with fewer than 5 bristles
Number of mitochondria in a cell

Answer 1

In Binomial we have probability of success is given whereas in Poisson distribution we have average success in a time period is given.

a) Number of teeth per person with cavities in the population: This is Poisson distribution because average number of teeth per person will be parameter here.

b) Number of times a fish inhales within a given time period: This is again Poisson distribution as number of times a fish inhales is average number in a given time period.

c) Number of Girl Scout cookie boxes sold in front of Walmart each day: This is Poisson distribution same reason number of boxes sold is average number.

d) Number of Drosophila legs with fewer than 5 bristles: This is Poisson distribution because number of drosophila legs with fewer than 5 brisles is average number.

e) Number of mitochondria in a cell: This is again Poisson distribution because it's number of mitochondria in a cell which is again average number.

Please comment if any doubt. Thank you.