document.write( "Question 256487: I am completely lost.........I need to use my states unemployment rate (the most current rate I found was 8.2) to determine the probability of finding a new job within 6 months after being laid off.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I have no idea how to even start this. I understand the very basic principle of determining probability---the number of possible successful outcomes divided by the number of all possible outcomes. I do not understand how to relate that to this problem. I'd appreciate any help I can get. \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Thank you very much,
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Algebra.Com's Answer #188632 by drk(1908)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I hope I can clarify for you.
\n" ); document.write( "P(unemployed) = .082
\n" ); document.write( "P(employed) = .918
\n" ); document.write( "Let n = number of months
\n" ); document.write( "Probability you unemployed for n months is:
\n" ); document.write( "P(U) = .082^(n)
\n" ); document.write( "P(u=1) = .082
\n" ); document.write( "P(u=2) = .082^2
\n" ); document.write( "P(u=3) = .082^3
\n" ); document.write( "P(u=4) = .082^4
\n" ); document.write( "P(u=5) = .082^5
\n" ); document.write( "--
\n" ); document.write( "we want less than 6 months, so 1<= u < 6. We need to add these probabilities together to get
\n" ); document.write( "P(1<=u<6) ~ 0.0893\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I think that is what you are looking for.
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