Modern cars have sophisticated on-board computers that continuously monitor the

Question

Modern cars have sophisticated on-board computers that continuously monitor the state of the engine. When the computer detects a problem, it turns on the “check engine” warning light on the car’s dashboard and stores a problem code in its memory, which a technician can then read with a proper scanner. For a number of reasons, the detectors used by the computer are not 100% accurate. This causes the “check engine” light at times to be on when there is no problem at all with the engine, or to be off when there is a problem with the engine.

Suppose your car’s “check engine” light is on, you take it to the mechanic and he tells you that the computer is reporting a crack in the engine. He also tells you that the accuracy of such a report on that car model is 99% and the only way to fix the problem is to replace the whole engine. On the other hand, only one over 10,000 cars of that model ever experience an engine crack.

What would you do based on this information? Would you replace the engine (and spend a lot of money on it), or would you decide that the warning is a fluke and do nothing (and risk an accident later on)? Base your decision on the probability that the engine is actually cracked, given what you know. Justify your answer.

Explanation / Answer

Life is most important than money. First I will check whether the sensor is working properly or not. Because the probability of engine crack is 0.0001. In this case we have make sure everything. I we are changing the engine without any problems. It may lead to lose of money. In this case we are spending money wastly.

When I take my car to the technician I would rather ask him do he noticed any cases of broken sensors. Then I will ask to look after my sensor. If that sensor is cheap I will ask him to replace with a new or working sensor only to make sure that the sensor is working.

If the vehicle shows the same warning after the installation of new sensor. I will surly change the engine. But I will try up-to the last mark to make sure that the engine is cracked. 99% of the sensors will work correctly. So first I try. If I lost surely engine will be changed.

Thank you

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