Description: This is a discussion of the paper, On Computing the Probability that Exactly k of n Independent Events will Occur by Robert P. White and T. N. E. Greville. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1959, Vol. 11, No. 29 AB.

Description: In an increasing population the number of persons falls off from age to age more rapidly than does the stationary population of the life table. This can introduce a systematic bias into life table calculations. The first part of the paper describes an iterative procedure to correct for the bias, extends the method to multiple decrement and associated single decrement life tables, and demonstrates the magnitude of the bias involved. The second part of the paper summarizes the results of applying iterative life table techniques to 165 populations which encompass over a century's experience and include countries from all parts of the world. Followed by discussions submitted by several people