What Are the Odds? A Cupcake Mishap
Author(s)
Abstract
"Gerri" is the owner of a local bakery that specializes in cupcakes. Her assistant, "Kelsey," is preparing an order for a wedding when she discovers that she has lost her ring and can't find it anywhere in the kitchen. Since the ring had been loose on her finger, she and Gerri conclude that it must have fallen into the cupcake batter while Kelsey was making the batch. Gerri is furious and demands that Kelsey remake the cupcakes. The story leaves off with Kelsey facing unspecified consequences as Gerri leaves to deal with customers. Students will need to apply statistical probability theory as well as food safety regulations to determine the likelihood of finding the ring in a certain group of cupcakes and provide a solution to the case study. Developed for a senior-level undergraduate statistical quality management course, the case is also appropriate for courses focusing on quality management in industrial settings as well as for a general undergraduate statistics course.
Objectives
- Apply basic theorems of probability.
- Evaluate the possible repercussions of the scenario presented in the case study.
- Develop an action plan to address the situation described using the principles of a quality management program.
Keywords
Statistics; statistical probability; quality management; quality control; food safety; food quality; Food & Drug Administration; FDA; baking; bakery; cupcakesTopical Areas
Regulatory issuesEducational Level
Undergraduate upper division, Graduate, Continuing educationFormat
PDFType / Methods
Analysis (Issues), DiscussionLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Statistics | Food Science / Technology |
Date Posted
7/14/2014Teaching Notes
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