Chapter 11

Probability Distributions

EXERCISE 11.1 tossed once

when three fair coins are
number of tails occurred number of points in its inverse
the variable X and
1. SuppOse X is values of the random
Simultaneously. Find the
images.
Solution
contains 8 sample points. That is
THH,THT,TTH,TTT}
The sample space S HTT,
HTH,
S ={HHH, HHT,
0,X(HHT)=1 X(HTH)=1, X(HTT)=2
Therefore X(HHH) =
X(TTH) =2, X(TTT) =3
X(THH) = 1X(THT)= 2,
takes the values 0., 1,2 and 3. This gives
Then X is a random variable
3 if aD TTT
= HTT, THT,TTH
2 if w
X(0) = HHT, HTH,THH
1 if
0 if aO HHH

are shown in the table.

Number of points in inverse images Total
Values of Random Variable 1
1 3 3 1
Number of points in inverse image If the number of
mangoes and 4 apples. Three fruits are taken at random.
2. An urn contains 5 number of points in its
values of the random variable and
taken fruits are apple, then find the
inverse images.
Solution: Let X be a
mangoes is 5 and number of apples is 4. Three fruits are drawn.
Number of Let
apples. Then X can take values 0.1,2,3.
random variable denoting the number of
X (o) denotes the number of points drawn.
Then X(0) = 4c, x5c, =1x10 = 10
X(1) = 4c, x5c, = 4x10= 40
X(2) = 4c, x5c, =6x5=30
X(3) = 4c, x5c, = 4x1 =4
Values of random variable 0 2 3 Total
Number of points in inverse 10 40 30 4 84

image Suppose
3. Two balls are chosen randomly from an urn containing 6 red and 8 black balls.
X
that we win15for each red ball selected and we lose 10 for each black ball selected.
denotes of winning amount, then find the values of X and number of points in its inverse
images.
Solution:
Number of red balls is 6.
Number of black balls is 8.
Probability Distributions 320
 Cach red ball selection wins 15.
Each black ball selection loses 10.
v denotes the winning
amount. Two balls are selected.
TE tWO red balls are selected then
the winning
If one red and one black balls are selected thenamount
is 30.
the winning amount is ? 15-10= K
If two black balls are selected then the winning amount is
(-10-10) =- ( 20
. X takes the values 30,5,-20.
Y(o) denotes the number of points.
6x5
X(30) =6c, x&c, = 15
2
X(5) = 6c, x 8c, =6x8 = 48
8x7
X(-20) =6c, x8c, = 28
Values of random variable 30 5 -20 Total
Number of points in inverse 15 48 28 91
image

4. A six sided die is marked 2' on one face, 3 on two of its faces, and 4' on remaining three
faces. The die is thrown twice. If X denotes the total score in two throws, find the values of
the random variable and number of points in its inverse images.
Solution
The sample space (2,2). (2,3),(2,4),(3,2),(3,3), (3,4), (4,2),(4,3). (4,4). Since X denote the
total score in two throws, it takes the values 4,5,6,7,8. This gives
[4 if o= (2,2)
|5 if o=(2,3), (3,2)
X(0) = 6 if o=(2,4),(3,3),(4,2)
7 if o= (3,4),(4,3)
8 if o= (4,4)
Number of points in inverse images are shown in the table.
Values of Random Variable 6 Total
Number of points in inverse image 2 3 2 1

EXERCISE 11,2
1. Three fair coins are tossed simultaneously. Find the probability mass function for number of
heads occurred.
Solution
Let X denote the number of Heads.
Therefore, X can take the values 0,1, 2,3.
The probabilities are given by
1
P(X =0) = P(TTT]=
321
Probability Distributions
 3
P(X =1) = P[HrT]+P[THT]+ P[TH]
1 3
P(X =2) =P[HHT]+ P[HTH]+P[THH]=3*8 8
P(X =3) =P[HHH=
The probability mass function can be presented as
0 2 3
3 3
PX =x]

Note

Working Rule
(i) Define what is X
(ii) Identify the values of X.
(iii)Calculate the probability of each X values. (While calculating the probability take
caution with the concept of replacement or without replacement.
2. A six sided die is marked '1' on one face, '3' on two of its faces, and '5° on remaining three
faces. The die is thrown twice. If X denotes the total score in two throws, find
) the probability mass function (ii) the cumulative distribution function
(iii) P(4 sX <10) (ii) P(X >6)
Solution
Since X denotes the total score in two throws, X is a random variable that takes the values
2,4,6,8, and 10.
From the adjacent table we have

INI 1 3 3 5 5 5

1 4 4 6 6 6

3 4 6 8

3 4 6 6 8 8 8

5 6 8 8 10 10 10
5 6 8 10 10 10

5 10 10 10

1 4 10
P(X =2) = 36 P(X =4) =36 P(X =6)=
36
12
P(X =8) = P(X =10) =
36 36
Probability Distributions 322
 () The probability mass function is
X 2 4 6 10 Total
1 10 12
P[X = x] 1
36 36 36 36 36

Gi)The cumulative distribution function

X 2 4 10

1 5 15 27 36
F() = P[X sx]
36 36 36 36 36

(ii) P(4SX <10) = P(X =4)+P(X =6]+P[X =8]

4 10 12 26 13
36 36 36 36 18
10 12 931
(iv) P(X >6) =P(X 6)+P(X =8)+P(X =10) = +
36
36 36 36
3. Find the probability mass function and cumulative distribution function of number of girl
child in families with 4 children, assuming equal probabilities for boys and girls.
Solution
The sample space S contains 2×2x2x2 =16 sample points. That is
Let X denote the number of girls.
X(0) = {BBBB)
X(1) = (GBBB, BGBB, BBGB, BBBG)
X(2) = {GGBB, BBGG, GBGB, BGBG, BGGB, GBBG)
X(3) = {BGGG,GGGB, GBGG, GGBG)
X(4) = {GGGG)
The probabilities are given by
1 3
P(X =0) = ; P(X =1) =4 ;P(X =2) =
16
1
P(X =3) = ;P(X =4)=
16
The probability mass function can be presented as
X 0 3 4
1 4 6 4 1
P[X = x] 16 16 16 16
16

The cumulative distribution function

0 1 2 3 4
X
1 5 11 15 16
P[X Sx] 16 16 16 16 16
323 Probability Distributions
 +. SuppOse a diserete random variable can only take the values 0,1, and Z.
The probability mass function is defined by
for =0,1,2
otherwise
Find (i) the value of k (ii) cumulative distribution function (iii) P(X >1).
Solution
(i) We know that)I
Here s) =f0) +f()+ f(2) =1
1 2+ 5 8
-=1’k =8
=+
kk k
The probability mass function is
X 1 2

2 5
P[X = x]
8
(ii) The cumulative distribution function is
X 0 2
3
P[X <x] or F(«)
8
(iüi) P(X>1)
P[X 21] = 1-P[X <1]=1 81 7
5. The cumulative distribution function of a discrete random variable is given by
0 - 0<<-1
0.15 -1<x<0
|0.35 0<x<1
F() =
|0.60 1sx<2
0.85 2<x<3

3<x<o
Find (i) the probability mass function (ii) P(X <l) and (iiil) P(X >2).
Solution : (i)The equivalent table is
X -1 0 2
F(«) 0.15 0.35 0.60 0.85
fo)= P[X =x] 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.25 0.15
(ii) P(X <1) = P(X=-1)+P(X =0) =0.35
(ii) P(X > 2) =P(X =2)+ P(X =3) =0.40
Probability Distributions 324
 6. Arandom variable X has the following probability mass function:
X 2 3 4 5
f(*) 2k2 3k2 2k 3k
Find (i) the value of k
(ii) P(2sX<5) (ii) P(3<X)
Solution ()
X=-o
fr) =l’k'+2k2+3k + 2k+3k =6k +5k =1
That is, 6k +5k-1 = 0.
Solving we get k = or k=-1.Since 0s f()s1,k = 1
6 6
(i) P(2< X <5) = P(X =2) +P(X =3) +PX=4)
5 2 17
= 2k" +3k +2k =5k+2k = +
36 6 36
(iii) P3< X) = P[X>3] = P(X =4)+ P(X=5)= 2k +3k =5k =,
6
7. The cumulative distribution function of a
discrete random variable is given by
|0 for -00 <x<0

for 0<x<1
2

for 1<x<2
F() =
4
for 2Sx<3

9
for 3<r<4
10
1 for 4<x< 0
Find (i) theprobability mass function (ii) P(X <3) and (iii) PX 2).
Solution
(i)The another form of the table is

X 1 2 3 4

1 4 9
F()= PX<x] 1
5 10
1 2 1 1
f(r)= PX =x] 10 10 10 10 10

1 2 4
(ii) P(X <3) = P(X =0) + P(X =l)+P(X-2)= 10-+ 10 + 10 5
2 1.1 2
(iii) P(X > 2) = P(X =2)+ P(X=3)+ P(X =4)= 10 10 10 5
}25
Probability Distributions
 EXERCISE 11.3
|kxeo2x for x>0
1. The probability density function of X is given by fx) = for xs0

Find the value ofk.

Solution
Since f() is aprobability density function, f()>0 and f)dx =1. That is,
0

0+k. =1
2
’k=4.
0<x<1
2. The probability density function of X is f(x) =2-x 1sx<2
otherwise
Find (i) P(0.2<X<0.6) (ii) P(1.2sX<1.8) (ii) P(0.5sX <1.5)
Solution
0.6 0.6

(i) P(0.2 SX<0.6) =(f()d: = xdx =

0.2 0.2
036-04 =016.
1.8 1.8
q1.8

(i) PU.2< X<13) =[fodk= f2-)dk =2r-;2 2

1.2 1.2

=[3.60 -1.62-2.4 +0.72] =0.3

. 1.0 1.5
(ii) P(0.5<X <15) =[f) dr =[xdk+[(2-)ár
0.5 0.5 1.0
Tl.0 1.

2
Jo.s
2x-=[0.5-0.125 +3.0-1.1252+0.5]
2

= 0.75.
3. Suppose the amount of milk sold daily at a milk booth is distributed with a minimum of 200
litres and a maximum of 600 litres with probability density function
k 200<xs600
|0 otherwise
Find (i) the value of k (ii) the distribution function
(iüi) the probability that daily sales will fall between 300 litres and 500 litres?
Solution

(i)Since f(x) is aprobability density function, f()20andf()dx=1, that is,

600

|k dx =1
200

Probability Distributions 326

 k[600-200] =1
k=
400
(i1) Bydefinition the
distribution function
F() = P(X<x)=|f(u) du or
When x<200, F(x) - P(X Sx) = (f)du=|0 dr=0
When 200 < xs600,
200
F() =P(Xsx)= |f() dr = 0dx+ 1 -dx = 1
400 400 2 200
200 600 600 1
When x>600, F() = Odx +| 1 -de+ Odr=| -dx =1
,400 400 200 600 200
X<200

This gives F(x) = 200<xs600.

400 2
1 X>600

(ii) P(300 < xs 500) = F(500)- F(300) =

ke for x>0
4. The probability density function of X is given by f() =
for x0
Find (i) the value of k (ii) the distribution function (ii) P(X<3)
(iv) P(5s X) (v) P(X s4)
Solution

)Since f) is aprobability density function, f() 20 and f() dx =1, that is,
dx =1

=1’ -34[0 -1] =l ’ k=

3

(ii) By definition the distribution function

F() =P(X <x) =|f() dx

When x<0, F() = P(X <)=|f() dx =[0 de=0 -00

1
When x> 0, F() = P(X <x)= |f(x) dx= ;e
327 Probability Distributions
 for x<0
F(r) =
-e for x>0
(ii) P(X <3)= F(3) =1-e =1-e.

(iv) P(X >5) =1-PX <5|=1- F(5)=1

(v) P(X <4) = F(4)-|-e '.

8iven by,
S. If X is the random variable with probability density function f(x) 1s
x+1, -1sx<0
j(x)=-x+1, 0sx<l
|0 otherwise

then find () the distribution function F(x) (ii) P(-0.5< X <0.5)

Solution
(i)the distribution function F(x)
Bydefinition the distribution function

F) = P(X s)=(f()dt

When xs-, F() = PX sx}=|f)dx =|0 dr =0

When -isx<0, F()=[f)dx +[fa)dk

-1 J

When 0<x<l. F)=[f9dx +[f(a)dr+[fo)de )

1
2 +x+
When x21, F) =ffde+[fsdr +[f(dx+jrodx -I 0

Probability Distributions 328

 Hence the distribution function is
0, xS-1

+X + -1<x0
F(x) = 2
-x' 1
txt 0<x<l
2 2

(iü) PO.5 < X <0.5)

P(-0.5< X<0.5) = F(0.5)- F(0.5)
-|-05+0.5+-075
= |-0.125 +0.5-0.125+0.5]=0.75.
6. If X is the random variable with distribution function F(x) given by,
0. - 0<x<0

F()=;+*) 0<x<I
1, I<x<o

then find (i) the probability density function f(x) (ii) P(0.3 <X <0.6).
Solution
(i) the probability density function f(r)
Differentiating F(x) with respect to x at continuity points of f(), we get
x<0
0sx<
fx) =F'(r) =(2r+1)
2
0sx<lie., f(x) =3
otherwise
1<x

(ii) P(0.3< X <0.6)

PO3< XS0.6) = |F(0.6) F(0.3)|=(0.6) +(0.6) -(0.3)°-(0.3)=0.285.

EXERCISE 11.4
1. For the random variable X with the given probability mass function as below,find the mean
and variance.
x=2,5
10 (ii) f( X=1,2,3
(i) fx) =
X=0,1,3,4

2(x-1) l<x<2 2 for x>0

(iv)
(ii) f)= otherwise
otherwise
329
Probability Distributions
Solution
*=2,5
10
() f()=
1
x=0,1,3,4

The equivalent p.m.f. in horizontal is

X 1 2 3 4 5

P[X = x]
2 2 1 2 2 1
or f(x)
10 10 10 10 10 10
Or p;
23
Mean: E(X) = P, =10 =2.3

Variance: V(X) =E(X')-(E(X))'

81
E(X') - s'p.-0+2+4+18+32+25]
10
=10
81 529 281
V(X) = =2.81.
10 100 100

X=1,2,3

The equivalent p.m.f. in horizontal is

X 1
P[X =x]
3 2
or f(«)
6 6 6
or p;
5
Mean: E(X) =L*e-3+4+3)=2
Variance : V(X) = E(x')-(E(X)
10
E(X*) - ;p=3+8+9-:3
10 25 5
V(X) =
3 9 9
|2(x-1) 1<x<2
(ii) f() =
otherwise

Mean =
2r -x 163 _4-2+1=;
1 3 3 3

16 1 2 17
-8 +
3 2 3 6
17 25 1
Var(X) = E(X')-[E(X)> 6 9 18
Probability Distributions 330
 1
e for x>0
(6v) f()=2
otherwise

Mean =ff()á: -jx7d t l =2

-=8

Hence, variance = 8-4=4.

2. Two balls are drawn in succession without replacement from an urn containing four red balls
and three black balls. Let X be the pOssible outcomes of drawing red balls. Find the
probability mass function and mean for X.
Solution
Let X be the possible outcomes drawing red balls, Then X takes values 0,1,2. The
probabilities are given by
3 2 1
P(X =0) = x==:
76 7

P(X =1) = 43,3

-x+x=
4 4
7 676 7
4 3
P(X =2) =x=
7 6 7
Therefore the probability mass function is

f() 1 4 2

P[X =x] 7

Mean =

3. If and o are the mean and variance of the discrete random yariable Y and

E(X +3) =10 and E(X +3)=116, find u and o

Solution
Given E(X +3) = E(X) +3
Mean is E(X) = 7
E(X +3)' =E(X')+6E(X) +9
Hence E(X') =6(7)-9+116
E(X') = 65

Variance E(X')-(E(X))' = 65-49 =16

Hence =7 and o=16.
331 Probability Distributions
 function, mean and variance for
*. Four Tair coins are tossed once. Find the probability mass
number of heads occurred.
Solution
For p.m.f. see Exercise 11.2(3).
(Convert to Binomial)
n =4

np = 2 i.e., mean =2
npq = 1ie., variance =1
J. A Commuter train arrives punctually at a station every half an hour. Everyday in the morning,
a student leaves his home to the railwav station. Let X denote the amount of
time, in
minutes, that the student waits for the train from the time he reaches the railway station. The
pdf of X is
0<x<30
f(x) =30
elsewhere

Obtain and interpret the expected value of the random variable X.

Solution
30

Expected value =p=fg)dk = fx(0) dx +[ 30 dx+ 30[x(0)de

30
730

- 30

Average delay is 15 minutes.

6. The time to failure in thousand hours of an electronic equipment used in a manufactured
computer has the density function
3esx x>0
fr) =
|0 elsewhere
Find the expected life of this electronic equipment.
Solution
0

By definition u=ff) dr= [x(0) dr +[3xe"dx 0

-o 3 3

The time to failure is x1000 .

3
2
Expected lifeis -x1000 = 666.7 hours.

Probability Distributions 332

 7The probability
density function of the random yarjable X is
given by
for x>0
for x<0
find the mean and variance of X
Solution

By definition E()=f() dx = x(0) dx+ 1

(16xedu=16
E(X*) = (6r'ear=l6.B_3
4

Var(X) = E(X²)-[E(X)] = 3 1
8 4
8. A lottery with 600tickets gives one prize of F200 four prices of T100, and six prizes of <JO.
If the ticket costs is 2, find the expected
winning amount of a ticket.
Solution
The expected winning amount of a ticket
1
EX)= (c09 600
4
+(100) x -+(50)x-
600
6
600
+0x
589
600
3
=1.5.

Since the ticket cost is 2, the expected loss is 0.50.

EXERCISE 11.5

1. Compute P(X =k) for the binomial distribution, B(n, p) where

1 1
0) n=6,p=k=3 () n=10, p=k=4 (ü) n=9, p=;kC=7
Solution
(i) The binomial distribution function is

P[X = x]:=-px=0,1.2,.,n

(iü) P(X =4)

(ii) P(X =7)

1
L. The probability that Q hits a target at any trial is 4 He tries at the target 10 times. Find the
probabilitythat he hits the target (i)exactly 4 times (ii) at least one time.
Solution
(i) exactly 4 times
333 Probability Distributions
 3
Herc n=10 and p= Hence q=1-p=:4
4

P(X =4) =
(ii)atlcast one time

P(X >1) =1-P(X

3. Using binomial distribution find the mean and variance of X for the following experiments
(i)A fair coin is tossed 100 times, and X denote the number of heads.
(ii) A fair die is tossed 240 times, and X denote the number of times that four appeared.
Solution
1
(i) Here n = 100, p= 2 and g5
Hence mean = np = (100) =50 and
2

yariance = npq= =25.

5
(ii) Here n = 240, p= and q=
6 6

Hence mean= (240)| 40 and

100
variance =
3
3
4. The probability that a certain kind of component will survive a electrical test is Find the
4
probability that exactly 3 of the 5 components tested survive.
Solution
3
Here n =5,p= 4
and q =,4

P(X =3)

5. A retailer purchases a certain kind of electronic device from a manufacturer. The

manufacturer indicates that the defective rate of the device is 5%. The inspector of the
retailer randomly picks 10 items from a shipment. What is the probability that there will be
(i) at least one defective item (ii) exactly two defective items.
Solution
(i) Here n = 10, p =0.05 and q=0.95
P(X >T) = 1-P(X
-0)-1-%0as 099" =1-(0.9s)o
10
(ii) P(X =2)

Probability Distributions 334

 6. If the Probability that a fluorescent light has a useful life of at least 600 hours is 0.9, find the
probabilities that among 12 such lights
(i)exactly 10will have a useful life of at least 600 hours;
(ii) at least 11 will have a useful life of at least 600 hours.
(iii) atleast 2 will not have auseful life of at least 600 hours.
Solution
Let X be the number of fluorescent lichts that have a useful life of atleast 600 hourS.
n= 12, p =0.9,q =0.1
(12
() P(X = 10) = (o.9)"o.1'.
10
(ii) P(X 211) = P(X =ll) +P(X =12)
12
+0.9°o.)'
=o90.1)'
12
=1209)"0.D+(09*
12

=(0.9)'(L.2+0.9) =2.I(0.9)".
(iii) P (atleast 2 will not have useful life) =
P (at most 10 will have a useful life of atleast 600 hours)
P(X s10) = I-P(X>10) =1-[P(X -11)+ P(X =12)]=1-|2. 1(0.9)"
7. The mean and standard deviation of abinomial variate X are respectively 6 and 2.
Find (i) the probability mass function (ii) P(X=3) (ii) P(X>2).
Solution
Given np = 6 and npq = 4.
2
Hence q= 3
and p=;n= 18.
I8

Ö) Probability mass function - P(X =)=

(i) P(X =3)=

(ii) P(X >2) = |-P(X <2) =1-[P(X =0)+ P(X =1)]

PX =0)+ PX =) = :

P(X 22) =1

8. If X ~ B(n, p) such that 4P(X = 4) = P(=2) and n=6. Find the distribution mean and
standard deviation.
Solution 4P(X =4) = P(X =2)
335 Probability Distributions
 6 6)

4p' = q'
4p' = (|-p)
3p´ +2p-l= 0 ’ (3p-1)(p+)=0
2
3
since p*-l, q=7

,x=0,1,..6

2
Mean = np =2 and standard deviation =npg =:
9. In a binomial distribution consisting of 5 independent trials, the probability of 1 and 2
successes are 0.4096 and 0.2048 respectively. Find the mean and variance of the
distribution.
Solution
Given n =5.

P(X =1) = pg' =0.4096 and

PX =2) =|p'g =02048.

That is, P(X =1) = 5pg' =0.4096.
Hence
P(X = 2) 10p'g'2p 0.2048
P(X =1) Spg' 0.4096 2

That is P ! ’q=4p’-p=4p’l=5p.
4
4
We get p = 5 and q= 5

4
Mean is np =land variance npg
EXERCISE 11.6

Choose the correct or the most suitable answer from the given four alternatives :
1. Let X be random variable with probability density function
2
f()=7
x<I
Which of the following statement is correct?
(1)both mean and variance exist (2) mean exists but variance does not exist
(3) both mean and variance do not exist (4) variance exists but Mean does not exist
Probability Distributions 336
Solution

Since
--0

Hence mean exists similarly

2
E(X') =[r'.dr=[logx.Variance does not exist.
[Option : 2]
2. A rod of length 2/ is broken into two pieces at random. The probability density function ol
the shorter of the two pieces is

fo) =1 0<x<l
|0 I<x<21
The mean and variance of the shorter of the two pieces are respectively
(1) (2) (3) !, (4)
23 2'6 12 2' 12
Solution

Mean =

Jo

Variance = [Option : 4]

3. Consider a game where the player tosses a six-sided fair die. If the face that comes up is 6,
the player wins 36, otherwise he loses k, where k is the face that comes up
k={1,2,3,4,5). The expected amount to win at this game in is
19 19 3
(1) (2) (3) (4)
6 6 2
Solution
Let X denote the winning amount. The possible values of X are -1,-4,-9,-16,-25,36.
Probabilitymass function is
-1 -4 -9 -16 |o -25 36
1 1 1
1
f() 6 6 6 6
1 4 9 16 25 36 55 36 19
Mean E(X) =xf)=-;6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
[Option : 21
4. A pair of dice rumbered 1,2,3,4,5,6 of a Six-sided die and 1, 2,3,4 of a four-sided die is
rolled and the sum is determined. Let the random variable X denote this sum. Then the
number of elements in the inverse image of7 is
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4
337 Probability Distributions
 Solution
The elements in the inverse image of 7are {(3,4),(4,3).(5,2), (0,)}* [Option : 4]
n= 25 and p=0.ð then standard
J. A random variable X bas binomial distribution with
deviation of X is
(1) 6 (2) 4 (3) 3 (4) 2
Solution
q=0.2. Standard deviation is ynpg =(25)(0.8)(0.2) =2 . [Option : 4)
heads and the number of tails
0. Let X represent the difference between the number of
obtained when a coin is tossed n times. Then the possible values of X are
(1) i+2n, i=9,1,2..n (2) 2i-n, i=0,1,2..n
(3) n-i,i=0,1,2..n (4) 2i+2n,i =0,1,2..n
Solution
n
No. of heads 0 1

No. of tails n-1 0

Difference 1-(n-1)=2-n .n-2

0-n=-n

In general x=2i-n, i=0, 1,2--n [Opion : 2]

1
7. If the function f(x) = for a<x<b, represents a probability density function of a
12
continuous random variable X ,then which of the following cannot be the value of a and b
?
(1) 0and 12 (2) 5 and 17 (3) 7 and 19 (4) 16 and 24
Solution

Since f(x) is aprobabilitydensity function, we have, f()dx =l»d

12
- dx =1.

Hence b-a= 12. Hence the not possible values of a and b are 16 and 24.
[Option:4]
8. Four buses carrying 160 students from the same school arrive at a football stadium. The
buses carry, respectively, 42, 36, 34 and 48 students. One of the students is randomly
selected. Let X denote the number of students that were on the bus carrying the randomly
selected student. One of the 4 bus drivers is also randomly selected. Let Ydenote the number
of students on that bus.
Then E[X] and E[Y] respectively are
(1) 50, 40 (2) 40, 50 (3) 40.75, 40 (4) 41,41
X 42 36 34 48
f(x) 42 36 34 48
160 160 160 160
E(X) = 40.75
Probability Distributions 338
 Y 42 34 48
36
f() 1 1 1 1
4 4 4
[Option :3]
E(Y) = 40

9.Two coins are to be flipped. The first coin will land on heads with probability 0.6, the Second
with probability 0.5. Assume that the results are independent, and let X equal tne tota
number of heads that result. The value of E(X) is
(1) 0.11 (2) 1.1 (3) 11 (4) 1
Solution P(X =0) = P(TT)=0.4x0.5=0.2
P(X =1) = P(TH)+ P(HT) =(0.4x0.5)+(0.6x0.5) =0.5
P(X =2) = P(HH) =0.6x0.5 =0.3
E(X]=p()=(0x0.2) +(x0.5)+(2x0.3) =0+0.5+0.6=1.1
[Option : 2]
questions, the
10. On a multiple-choice exam with 3 possible destructives for each of the 5
probability that a student will get 4 or more correct answers just by guessing 1s
11 3 1 5
(1) (2) (3) (4)
243 243 243
Solution
1 2
Given 3 possible answers, p = and g==,Let X be the number of correct answers.
3 3
P(X 24= P(X =4)+P(X =5)
12 10
P(X =4) = 81 3 243

1
P(X =5) = 243
11
Therefore P(X >4) = [Option : 1]
243

11. If PX =0]=1-P[X =1]. If E[X]= 3Var(X), then P(X =0).

2 (49)
() (2)

Solution :
Given that P(X =0) +P(X =1)=1.This gives X can take only the values 0 and 1.
Hence X follows the binomial distribution with p= P(X=1), q= P(X =0).
Also given E(X) = 3var(X) ’ np=3rnpg
1
.. q=
3
1
ie., P(X=0) = Opt : (4)

339 Probability Distributions

 12. If X is a binomial random variatble with expected value 6and variance 2.4. Ihen PX =5]
is

Solution
2 3
and n=10
Given Mean np=6 and npg = 2.4. Hence q = npq-=0.4= So P5
np

Hence P[X [Option : 4]

13. The random variable X has the probability density function
ax+b 0<x<1
f()= otherwise
|0
7
and E(X)= then and b are respectively
12

(1) 1and (2) and 1 (3) 2and1 (4) 1and 2

2 2

ax
Solution (ar +b)dx =| 2
+bx
Jo

2-a
ab=1
2
b=
2
ar' br'7
E(X) =(ar +br) dr =
(0
3
+
2
ab 7 a +2-a 7
32 12 3 4 12
4a+(6-3a) = 7
a=1; b=

Hence a and b are respectively land 2 [Option : 1]

14. Suppose that X takes 0,1,2. If for some constant k, PX =ij= kPX=i-1li=1.2 and
P[X =0]= then k is
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4
Solution
1
P[X =1] =kP]X =0]=k
P[X =2] =kX =]|=
-+-k+k² =1»k=2 [Option :2]
7

Probability Distributions 340

 15. Which of the following is a diserete random variable?
The number of cars crOssing a
IL The particular signal in a
number of cuslomers in a queue day.
to buv (rain tickets at a
IIL The time taken to momer:
(1)I and II
complete a telephone call.
(2) Il only (3) || only (4) Il and ||I
Solution
|Option : 1|
0srsa
I6. If fr) =|0 IS a probability density function of a random variablc, then the
otherwise
value of a is
(1) I (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4
Solution Given2.x dx =1 ’ a' =1. That is a =|. Option : 1]
0

17, The probability function of arandom

variable is defined as :
-2 -1 2
f(x) k 2k 3k 4k 5k
Then E(X) is equal to :
1 1 2
(1) 15 (2) (3) (4)
10 3
Solution

Since f(a)=1, we have, 15k =1 ’ k=

15
10 2
E(X)=-2k-2k +0 +4k +10k = 10k [Option : 4]
15 3
18. Let Xhave Bernoulli distribution with mean 0.4, then the variance of (2X -3) is
(1) 0.24 (2) 0.48 (3) 0.6 (4) 0.96
Solution:
In Bernoulli distribution, mean = p and variance = pq.
mean = 0.4 ie., p=0.4 and =1-p=0.6
Var(2X -3) = 2²Var( X)
= 4pq
=4(0.4)(0.6)
= 0.96.
Opt : (4)
19. If in 6 trials, X is a binomial variate which follows the relation 9P(X =4) =PX -2), then
the probability of success is
(1)0.125 (2) 0.25 (3) 0.375 (4) 0.75
Solution 9P(X 4) = PX =2)

oo-p -[Cp'd-p
(1- p)
341
Probability Distributions
 P 1
I-p 3

3p+p =1
p =
4
[Option :2]
20. A computer salesperson knows from bis Dast experience that he sells computers to one in
every twenty customers who enter the showroom. What is the probability that he will sell a
computer to exactly twoof the next three customers?
57 57 193 57
(1) (2) (3) (4) 20
20 20² 203

Solution Given n =3, p= 1

20
57
PX-3) - 20
[Option : 1]

Probability Distributions 342