A message consists of a string of bits (0s and 1s). Due to noise in the communications channel, each bit has probability 0.3 of being reversed (i.e., a 1 will be changed to a 0 or a 0 to a 1). To improve the accuracy of the communication, each bit is sent five times, so, for example, 0 is sent as 00000. The receiver assigns the value 0 if three or more of the bits are decoded as 0, and 1 if three or more of the bits are decoded as 1. Assume that errors occur independently.
a. A 0 is sent (as 00000). What is the probability that the receiver assigns the correct value of 0?
b. Assume that each bit is sent n times, where n is an odd number, and that the receiver assigns the value decoded in the majority of the bits. What is the minimum value of n necessary so that the probability that the correct value is assigned is at least 0.90?