Philo
03-17-2006, 03:19 AM
I don't know if this one's been asked before...
Suppose there is a test that is used to test if someone has taken some illegal drug that 5% of the general population uses. The test is 95% accurate, by which I mean that if someone who does in fact use the drug takes the test then the test is 95% likely to come out positive, and if someone who does not use the drug takes the test then the test is 95% likely to come out negative.
Now suppose we choose someone at random from the general population and give them the test. The test comes out positive. Given these facts, what is the actual likelihood that the person uses the drug?
Suppose there is a test that is used to test if someone has taken some illegal drug that 5% of the general population uses. The test is 95% accurate, by which I mean that if someone who does in fact use the drug takes the test then the test is 95% likely to come out positive, and if someone who does not use the drug takes the test then the test is 95% likely to come out negative.
Now suppose we choose someone at random from the general population and give them the test. The test comes out positive. Given these facts, what is the actual likelihood that the person uses the drug?