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by vladb38b 2013 days ago
With n multiple tests you are much more likely to approach the mean of positive results, which for an actually positive patient is (1-p1)n and for an actually negative patient is p2n, where p1 and p2 are false result probabilities. If p1, p2 << 1 then the means are sufficiently apart that you can compute the probability of getting your result (whatever that is) under the actual positive/negative scenario and one probability will be significantly higher than the other.
1 comments

Assuming the tests are independent, which is unrealistic. If the antigen test is positive because it's cross-reacting to the common cold or because of something unique to you, then testing more tells you nothing.