In: Statistics and Probability
The number of calls that come into a small mail-order company follows a Poisson distribution. Currently, these calls are serviced by a single operator. The manager knows from past experience that an additional operator will be needed if the rate of calls exceeds 15 per hour. The manager observes that 6 calls came into the mail-order company during a randomly selected 15-minute period. a. If the rate of calls is actually 20 per hour, what is the probability that 9 or more calls will come in during a given 15-minute period? b. If the rate of calls is really 30 per hour, what is the probability that 9 or more calls will come in during a given 15-minute period? c. Based on the calculations in parts a and b, do you think that the rate of incoming calls is more likely to be 20 or 30 per hour? d. Would you advise the manager to hire a second operator ? Explain.