The expected value is the sum of: [(each of the possible outcomes) × (the probability of the outcome occurring)].
The number of children = 2 + 6 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 4 = 25 children
The possibilities are their weights, so:
10 pounds
41 pounds
49 pounds
61 pounds
85 pounds
87 pounds
98 pounds
The probabilities of each possibilities are:
10 pounds - 2/25
41 pounds - 6/25
49 pounds - 4/25
61 pounds - 4/25
85 pounds - 3/25
87 pounds - 2/25
98 pounds - 4/25
Now, we find the expected value using the formula [E(x) is the expected value of x]:
[tex]\begin{gathered} E(x)=(10)(\frac{2}{25})+(41)(\frac{6}{25})+(49)(\frac{4}{25})+(61)(\frac{4}{25})+(85)(\frac{3}{25})+(87)(\frac{2}{25})+(98)(\frac{4}{25}) \\ =61.08 \end{gathered}[/tex]