In: Statistics and Probability
For a medical test, the probability of testing positive for a healthy person is 5%. Based on this, can we find the probability of testing positive for an infected person? If yes, explain how; if no, explain why.
Here' the answer to the question. please write back in case you've doubts.
Probability of testing positive for an infected person can be found if you know these:
1. Number of people are actually infected , lets say this is x
2. Number of people who are actually infected and have been correctly tested positive. , lets say this is y
So, the probability of testing positive for an infected person is x/y
Now, if you know the the probability of testing postive for a healthy person is 5% , you don't x and y. You can still find out x by subtracting x from total people in the test. But you still don't know y.
Hence, probability of testing positive for an infected person CANNOT be found out
In other words:
You know the you know the Fale Positive (FP) , but using this cannot find out the TP