The taste test for PTC (phenylthiourea) is a common class demonstration in the study of genetics. It is known that 70% of the American people are "tasters" with the rest are "non-tasters". Suppose a genetics class of size 20 does the test to see if they match the American percentage of "tasters" and "non-tasters". Assume that the assignment of students to classes is a random process. Calculate the variance.

The variance for the number of tasters is 4.2

Step-by-step explanation:

For each person, there are only two possible outcomes. Either they are tasters, or they are not. The probability of a person being a taster is independent of any other person. So we use the binomial probability distribution to solve this question.

Binomial probability distribution

Probability of exactly x sucesses on n repeated trials, with p probability.

The variance of the binomial distribution is:

It is known that 70% of the American people are "tasters" with the rest are "non-tasters". Suppose a genetics class of size 20

This means that

So

The variance for the number of tasters is 4.2

pay attention in your classes and concentrate the best thing you can do to raise your test scores is to pay attention when you're supposed to be learning the material: in class!

take good notes.

do your homework.

use mnemonics and other tricks.

do practice tests.

note: the best i know.