During 1990, smoking caused 418,890 deaths in the United States. Of these deaths, cardiovascular disease accounted for 179,820, cancer for 151,322, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema for 84,475. Find the probability that a smoking-related death was the result of either cancer or cardiovascular disease.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The probability is calculated by adding the number of deaths caused by cancer and cardiovascular disease, then dividing by the total number of smoking-related deaths: (179,820 + 151,322) / 418,890 = 0.791.

During 1990, Smoking Caused 418,890 Deaths in the United States