In a clinical trial, a new drug shows a 75% success rate among 80 patients. If another 20 patients are treated and the overall success rate becomes 78%, how many of the additional 20 patients must have succeeded?

Sun, 03 May 2026 18:19:55 +0000

**In a Clinical Trial, a New Drug Shows a 75% Success Rate Among 80 Patients. If Another 20 Are Treated and the Overall Success Rate Becomes 78%, How Many Must Have Succeeded?** When clinical trials report strong early efficacy—like a 75% success rate among the first 80 patients—follow-up studies often draw intense attention. With more people seeking answers, a recent trial now shows improved results after treating 20 additional patients, pushing the success rate to 78%. This shift sparks curiosity: how many of those new patients contributed to the better outcome? Understanding this calculation reveals how clinical data evolves—and how science interprets incremental progress without hype. Why is this trial’s evolving success rate capturing public and medical interest? In the U.S., clinical trial outcomes directly influence treatment access, insurance coverage, and patient confidence. As genetic medicine and targeted therapies advance, trial results move faster through publication, amplifying interest in data transparency. Public dialogue now centers on how small but meaningful improvements—like rising from 75% to 78% across 100 patients—signal meaningful progress in real-world settings. These updates reflect real-world complexity, where broader inclusion often helps validate early findings across diverse populations. To clarify: the trial began with 80 patients, 75% of whom responded successfully—equaling 60 successes. Adding 20 new patients brings the total to 100. The overall success rate becomes 78%, meaning 78 out of 100 patients succeeded. To find how many of the new 20 succeeded, subtract the original 60 from 78: 78 – 60 = 18. Thus, exactly 18 of the additional 20 patients must have responded successfully. This balance ensures transparency while showing scientifically valid progress.