Question 16

Mortality tables do not track a group of people from birth until all have died.

Mortality tables do not follow individual groups from birth to death; instead, they provide statistical averages based on historical data for different age groups.

A) the numbers in the tables are based on past experience.

This statement is true because mortality tables are constructed using historical data on deaths and survivorship, reflecting past experiences of populations over time.

B) the theory of probability is applied to numbers in the tables.

This statement is also true as mortality tables utilize probabilistic models to estimate the likelihood of death at various ages, applying principles of probability to the data.

C) the tables track a group of people from the year they were born until they all die.

This statement is false. Mortality tables do not track individual cohorts from birth to death; rather, they compile data across various populations and ages to provide statistical insights into mortality rates.

D) actuaries use the tables to predict the number of deaths among a given number of people at a given age.

This statement is true because actuaries rely on mortality tables to estimate the expected number of deaths in a specific population segment, allowing for informed decision-making in insurance and risk assessment.

Conclusion

Option C is definitively incorrect as it misrepresents the function of mortality tables; they do not track individuals over their lifespan but rather provide aggregated statistical data. The other options accurately describe the characteristics and uses of mortality tables, confirming their validity in the context of mortality statistics.