Answer to Question #238252 in Statistics and Probability for Paul

Question

A robot uses a special phase difference-based laser sensor to determine the distance from obstacles in his way. This sensor continuously outputs the distance but due to a glitch in the sensor electronics, it randomly returns an incorrect value at an average rate of 3 times per second. What is the likelihood that the sensor does not return any incorrect value within the first minute of operation?

Answer 1

The probability of the sensor returning any incorrect value in a second $=\frac{3}{60}$

The probability of the sensor returning any correct value in a second $=\frac{57}{60}$

The likelihood that the sensor does not return any incorrect value within the first minute of operation

$=\frac{57}{60}=\frac{19}{20}$