It is known that 45% of men snore an 25% of women snore. A doctor looked at these numbers and made t | MathCelebrity Forum

It is known that 45% of men snore an 25% of women snore. A doctor looked at these numbers and made t

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It is known that 45% of men snore an 25% of women snore. A doctor looked at these numbers and made the following statement:

"If you put a man and a woman together, there is a 70% chance that someone is snoring."

Explain why the doctor's math is wrong.

The doctor added the percents together: 45% + 25% = 70%.

Here's why this is incorrect:
  • 45% of men snore means 100% - 45% = 55% of men do not snore
  • 25% of women snore means 100% - 25% = 75% of women do not snore
  • Both men and women not snoring is: 55% * 75% = 41.25% neither of them snore
  • 100% - 41.25% = 58.75% somebody is snoring
 
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