Chapter 5, Problem 26RP

Meteoroids. In the article “Interstellar Pelting” (Scientific American, Vol. 288, No. 5, pp. 28–30), G. Musser explained that information on extrasolar planets can be discerned from foreign material and dust found in our solar system. Studies show that 1 in every 100 meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere is actually alien matter from outside our solar system.

1. a. Of 300 meteoroids entering the Earth’s atmosphere, how many would you expect to be alien matter from outside our solar system? Justify your answer.
2. b. Apply the Poisson approximation to the binomial distribution to determine the probability that, of 300 meteoroids entering the Earth’s atmosphere, between 2 and 4, inclusive, are alien matter from outside our solar system.
3. c. Apply the Poisson approximation to the binomial distribution to determine the probability that, of 300 meteoroids entering the Earth’s atmosphere, at least 1 is alien matter from outside our solar system.