Macbook randomly shuts down while in use. still has batter power.

About six weeks ago I posted this same problem. It seemed to go away on its own but now has happened again (once today and once just two days ago). I couldn't find any thread that had the same problem as mine.
I have a Macbook that I bought in January, 2007 and I've had very few problems with it. Starting last early spring, after a little over a year, the battery started taking less time to run out. It also occasionally took a longer time to come out of sleep mode, usually only a few extra seconds but a few times it took nearly a minute, and once it was nearly ten minutes). I know I need to replace it, but overall, it isn't drastic. It just runs out maybe 25% faster than it used to (and hasn't really increased since), and rarely has problems with coming out of sleep mode.
Three times now my computer has randomly shut down for no reason while I was doing things. Once in August and twice in the last couple of days. It isn't related to a particular program, as I was never always using the same thing. The last two times (today and the other day. And I think the first time, too, though I can't remember), I had my computer unplugged and it had been being used for some time unplugged (once it was around 50%, once around 40%, when it shut off). When I try to turn it back on, it just shuts off again and only stays on when I plug it in again.
I am UP TO DATE on all programs. Is this a common symptom of a battery dying? I'm wondering if maybe the gauge that tells me my battery power is screwed up somehow and isn't giving me accurate numbers (though when this happens, the lights on the bottom still appear as if to say I have battery power left).
Basically I'm wondering if this is a simple battery problem I can solve by buying a new one or if there is a more serious problem with my computer. IS THIS NORMAL? Please help. I love my Macbook.

Mine does that. Around 40-45% battery life it just dies.

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