Overview :

The false positive rate for a test is the  false-positive test results divided by all patients without the disease.

false-positive rate =

= (b / (b + d))

where:

• b =  false positives

• (b + d) = sum of (false positives, true negatives) = all people without disease

false-positive rate =

= 1 – (specificity)

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Panzer RJ, Black ER, Griner PF. Interpretation of diagnostic tests and strategies for their use in quantitative decision making. pages 17-28. IN: Panzer RJ, Black ER, et al. Diagnostic Strategies for Common Medical Problems. American College of Physicians. 1991.

Speicher C, Smith JW Jr.. Choosing Effective Laboratory Tests. WB Saunders. 1983. pages 50-51, and 210