Chapter 7.3, Problem 7.68E

(a)

To determine

To Explain: the testing athletes for performance-enhancing drugs.

Answer to Problem 7.68E

False Negative

Explanation of Solution

False positive

It happens when the test is positive, while the subjects do not have drugs or have the disease

False negative

It happens when the test is negative, while the subjects took drugs or did not have the disease.

Situation: testing athletes for drugs

False positive: athlete test positive for drugs, while the athletes do not take drugs.

False negative: athlete tests negative for drugs, while athlete takes drugs.

Athletes test negative for a drug is the most serious error, he/she taken while taking the drugs, because then the drugs is not detected. Therefore a false negative is worse.

If someone tests positive for drugs, they can regain this athlete and if the athlete tests positive again, then it is very unlikely that is was a false positive.

(b)

To determine

To Explain: the testing people for a life-threatening disease.

Answer to Problem 7.68E

False Negative

Explanation of Solution

Situation: testing athletes for drugs

False positive: athlete test positive for disease, while the person does not have the disease.

False negative: athlete tests negative for disease, while person have disease.

Person test negative for a diseases is the most serious error, he/she taken while having the disease because then the disease is not detected. Therefore a false negative is worse.

If someone tests positive for disease, they can regain this people and if the person tests positive again, then it is very unlikely that is was a false positive