®) 15.1 DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLES coins i ted as shown in T Consider an experiment where the The possible outcom: H denotes a head and cousiy, able 15.1 wherg 0 TTH, THT TT 1 THH, HTH, WHT 2 AW 3 Table 15.1 If X denotes the number of heads, then the possible values of y are 0, 1, 2 and 3. ¥ assigns a numerical value to each outcome in a sample space. A sample space is a set of all possible outcomes of an experiment. A discrete random variable is a function which associates a discrete value with each outcome in a sample space. Random variables are usually denoted by capital letters X, ¥, Z, and the values of the random variables are denoted by the corresponding small letters x, 3, =. > Probability Distribution Functions The probability distribution of a discrete random variable X is a list of the possible values of ¥ and the corresponding probabilities. The probability di following properties. ribution of a discrete random variable has the 1 For each value of X, the associated probabilities p,. py... P, = 0. 2. The total probability p, +p, + +p,=1. The probability distribution of X in the example above may be represented in Table 15. x 0 1 2 3 ee 1 a 3 a Kes 7z, 8 8 s 8 Table 15.2 called a probabili ribution table. Such a table i:(b) Construct a probability distribution table for _¥. Solution (a) The possible values of (b) Let 4 be the event the s PUD = 4 and P(A’) re 0, 1, 2 and 3. is Obtained on one dice. Probability no “6” is obtained, / PCV = 0) = P(A’) f Probability one “6” is obtained, P(X = 1) = P(AA’A’) + P(A‘AA’) + P(A’A’AD = (x $8)» Gadd) + Beded) Probability two “6”s are obtained, PX = 2) = P(AAA’) + P(AA‘A) + P(A‘AA) = (bd 8) + ba dad) (Be dd) Probability three “6”s are obtained, P(X = 3) = P(AAA) alydst ~~ 6°6°6 = = 216 T . 0 1 3 _— 125 75 a xe-3 316-216 216 2 is, il Total probability = a + He +316 * 316 ond be shown ow that it A discrete probability distribution needs not alw: 'n the form of a table. We now give an example to smay be specified by a formula called the probability distribution function or probability function. Let X be the number ef aecidonits ina . factory per week such that PLY = 0, 1, 2, 3, .. Show that P( — (vt oF 2) x) is a probability distribution function. Solution P(X =x) > 0 for all x. RPA) = 2 GE DErD - 2 letn- wl =(1-9+G-D+(G-a+~ =1 Therefore P(Y = x) is a probability distribution function. CBE The table below shows the probability distribution of a random variable X. = 1 Wkeseom 0.2 02 03 P 2p Find the value of p. Solution Total probability 0.2 +0.24+0.3+p+2p 0.7 + 3p iscrete random variable ¥ is 0, 1, 2.. The probability distribution of given by PY =r) = (0.1I)(p), 7 Show that p = 0.9. lip Solution Total probability = | PCY = 0) + PLY = 1) + PLY = 2) + (0.1)(p") + (0.1)(p!) + (O.1)Cp?) +- ~ nf) = 1 l-p=0o1 P=029 [Shown] > Cumulative Distribution Functions ‘rhe cumulative dist random xe (p% ibution function F(x) of a discr ariable is defined by F(x) = PUY < x) wee Kye ones Nyde . The cumulative distribution function is non-decreasing and lies jn the interval [0, 1] ‘Acar service centre studies the record that shows the number of cars serviced per day. They uses the data to calculate the relative frequencies and obtains the following probability distribution. oj; itets lai s Ol 01 02 03 02 oO (a) Find the probability that two or less cars are serviced each day. (b) Find the cumulative distribution function of the number of cars serviced per day. 1 2 3 4 3 or 02) 03 02 0.2 04 | 07 09 10 VA fair coin is fi ¢ random variable representing the number of heads A fair coin is flipped twice and X is the rando tspeening ite nay of obtained. What are the possible values of 1°? Tabulate the ps 2. IF two dice are rolled together und is zero when the scores are th rinus the smaller score of the dice, what are the possible values of distribution of X.2A four sal gg is otal ove Let be the hargest of the two scores i Tey ae ditferen \ and the common value i they are the same, Show that the probability distribution of Vis given by PUY calevtator is loaded with batteries, Let ¥ be | © 4 Ina box that contains 6 calculators, only one v c é 1 loaded with batteries is obtained the number of calculators ‘n from the box until the on¢ nL a Tabulate the probability distribution of wil Oe tae Rater 8 \efot| § The discrete random variable distribution of Wis given by PCY constant ¢. the values 1, 2, 3, 4. The probability 1,2, 3.4. Find the value of the (Yay where r=0, 1, 2,3,4,isa probability distribution function, r Q)show that POW =1) =€ (3). where r=0, 1, 2 xox [Hine You may use the Maclaurin series, et = 1 +437 + 3p 4°" ] 6 Prove that P( is.a probability distribution function. 8 The probability distribution of Wis given by P(X'= x) = cx for x= 1,2, 3,4 and ¢ isa constam, (a) Tabulate the probability distribution, giving the probabilities in terms of c. (b) Find the value of . (c) Sketch a graph of the cumulative distribution function. 9 The probability distributions of the discrete random variable X is defined by P(X = —1) 1 por=0)=_ and P(X = 1) =. Find the cumulative distribution function of x. 10 The random variable X may take the values 0, 1, 2. The cumulative distribution function F of is given by 0, x<0 0.2, (b) ECY) = Ex Pix = am = 18) a(8) + 9(8) + 12) al & a= 0 ale & a ~ 5.3333 dp.) Var(X) = Dx? PLY = x) — [EOOP = 2(5) +42) eo(h) + 16 278 us| = 30.9 (3 s.f.)Ten pereent of the items produced in a actory are defective. 1 the items are randomly sclected until the first defective item is detected, how many items on average will have to be sampled before the first detective item is found? er st encountered first draw is 0.1, of a defective item first encountered at the (0.9)(0.1). fective item first encountered at the third draw is (0.97 (0.1), The probability of a defective item first encountercd at the nth draw is (0.9)""(0.1). The probability distribution for the number of items sampled until a defective item is found is given below. 0.1 (. 0. 1) (0.90.1) @.9y"(0.1) E(Y) = 1(0.1) + 20.9.1) + 30.9)°0.1) + +++ + 0(0.99-! OD + = (0.1)[1 + 200.9) + 300.9)? + 4.9) +--+] By the binomial theorem, (1 — x)? = 1 + 2x +3x2+ 4x94 When y = 0.9, E(Y) = (0.1) — 0.9) (0.1)(0.1)* = (0.1)(100) 10 (SERS In a special dart game, a player loses | point to have up to 4 throws a dart at a target. If he hits the target on the first theow he receives 3 points. If he hits it on the second throw he receiv 2 points, if he hits it on the third or fourth throw he receives | point. He stops throwing after the first hit or after 4 throws. A a Vass Player has a constant probability es = hitting the target on any throw, independently of other throws (a) He misses with his first and second throws and hits the target on the third throw. How many points did hi ive? (b) Construct a probability distribution table for (c) Calculate the expected value of his score. (d) Comment on the expected value.(a) He ree: 0 points. (b) Let V denotes the net points after cach throw. eo 2 1 0 -1 (MSE: (2) 1 ) 6 al al tramp = 218 AOK6 = 25. 6 1296 1296 (S6)(5/6)(5i6y« = 625/1296 180 (c) EX) = 247386) * 17556 = 256 (a) The expected value is negative means it is disadvantages to play the dart game with a probability of ©. of the scores when two dice are rolled. Find the probability distribution of i value of X. : X is such that P(X = 1) = P(X = 2) = PLY = 3) =6, P(X = 4) = 2b. Find the expected value of X. values of the random variables X¥ and Y with probability distribution as 2 3 4 0.3 02 O1 20 30 40 0.3 0.2 O.1 elationship between E(x) and ind the expected value of = 3)=0.25 and PLY = 2. = 4) = 0.2 and PCY = 2. 3) =0.3. olled. Let the ri Peetitn variable Y be the bigger of the scores if the scores © score on one ¢ the sa ble showing the probability distribution of6 ates coms 10 tickets of which 3.in a prize each, Two ticke (a) Show that the probability of getting exactly one winning tick is (b) Construct a probabil (@) Calculate the distribution table for th Ss on table for the number of winnit expected number of winning tickets in the draw. 7 Adiserete random variable Xi t tickets in the draw, probability distribution as shown in the table below. 0 1 2 3 Ro n3) 01 ' 03 s (a) Find the value of r + s, (b) Given that E(X) = 1.5 find the value of r and s. 8 A housewife removes the label from three cans of tuna and two cans of sardine in order to enter a competition and puts away the cans. She then finds that the can are identical so she cannot distinguish between cans of tuna and sardine, A week later she decides to have a can of sardine to make sandwiches. She opens the cans at random until she opens a can of sardine. Let X’be the number of cans she opens. (a) State the possible values of X. (b) Find the probability of each of these values of X. (c) Determine the expected value of X. 9 Four marbles are selected at random from a bag containing 7 green marbles and 3 blue marbles without replacement, x is the number of blue marbles selected. : (a) What are the possible values of ¥? (6) Show that P(X =0) = +. (c) Obtain the probability distribution table for X. (d) Find the mean and variance of X. 10 1 Y= $ for y= 1, 2, 3,4, find the value of a. Calculate E(Y) and Var(¥). 11 The random variable X takes the values -1, 0, 1 and 2, If E(X) = 3E(X) and Var(X) = 3 (a) Calculate the mean E(X). (b) If POY = 1) = PLY = 1) = P(X = 2). Verify E(X7) = 3 BX). (©) Show that P(X = 0) -t ind E(N), 12 A random variable N takes integer values 1, 2, 3, ..-. where PW=n)= 5 13 The discrete random variable has the following probability distribution, ry -3 0 2 | 4 | dessa) P 4 oa Given that F(X) = 2.3 and VartX) = 14 -Two faie dive are rolled. Let the random variable X be the smater of the two scores if the scores “of the dice ifthe scores are the Same, @ diferent, or pe olowing table to show the probability distribution of X. py anc Lr 01, find the values of ¢, p and q.ay «A bos comains 10 tickets of whieh 3 ‘ Na prize cach, Two tickets are drawn, ¢a) Show that the probability of getting exuetly one winning ticket is {by Construct a probability distribution table for the numberof winnie tickets in the dra Palcalile the excic for the number of winning tickets in the draw. (©) Galoulate the expected number of winning tickets in the draw. = 7 Adiscrete random variable V has Probability distribut roy Sitise (a) Find the value of r + 5. (b) Given that EC) = 1.5 find the value of rand s. shown in the table below. 0 Il 2 3 1 r 03 s {8 A house-wife removes the label from three cans of tuna and two cans of sardine in order to enter a competition and puts away the cans. She then finds that the can are identical so she cannot distinguish between cans of tuna and sardine. A week later she decides to have a can of sardine to make sandwiches. She opens the cans at random until she opens a can of sardine. Let be the number of cans she opens. (a) State the possible values of X. (b) Find the probability of each of these values of X. (e) Determine the expected value of X. 9 Four marbles are selected at random from a bag containing 7 green marbles and 3 blue marbles without replacement. X'is the number of blue marbles selected. (a) What are the possible values of X? 1 (b) Show that PCY =0) (©) Obtain the probability distribution table for X. (@) Find the mean and variance of X. 10 If (Y=y) zg for y= 1, 2. 3,4, find the value of a. Caleulate E(Y) and Var(¥). 8 11 The random variable X takes the values ~1, 0, 1 and 2. If (1?) = 3E() and Var(X) = 9. (a) Calculate the mean E(X). (6) IF POX = 1) = PU = 1) = POY =2). Verify E(X7) (©) Show that POX 12 A random variable N takes integer values !, 2, 3, ‘as the following probability distribution. E(X). +, Where P(N = 13 The discrete random variable hi fs 0 2 4 | © p 4 04 ‘and Var(X) = 3.01, find the values of ¢, p and q. jable X be the smaller of the two score if the scores are the same. iow the probability distribution of X. Given that E(Y) = 2.3 14 Two fair dice are rolled. Let the random ate different, or the score on one of the di (a) Copy and complete the following table to sh Ry the scores,TP) | ate Ss 1 w a) Find FVD eral 1, 2.3.4, $. Three cards are ag has S nbered 1, 2 arcane Wak eingiite (a) Lin il possible arrangements ant show the drawn randomly at the same j Probability that the median Number et equal, + na () The rardiom variable M denotes the media oe {©) State the exposted value of A and calculate the variance of M. 1 Tee fi die ate role, The random variable X denotes the number OF dice that score “ge is 5 (®) Construct a probability distribution table for 72 (c) Calculate EC) and Var(¥) (d) If the random a function of (6) Deduce the values E(Y) and Var(¥), (2) Show thatthe probability of two dice scoring ‘ariable Y denotes the number of dice that do not score "6", express ¥ as 17 Ina quiz, a correct answer scores 4 answer score: and PO = 4) = 3P(¥ = 0), (a) Find POY = 0), (>) Construct a probability distribution table for Y. (c) Find E(Y) and Var(¥), a Points, a pass without answering scores zero and a won; 2. Y denotes the random variable of the Scores where P(Y = , 18 The random variable X' has probability distribution given by eae =2,3,4,5,6,7 m=-x 3G) «X= 8,9,10, 11,12 (a) Find the value of m, (b) Calculate EOX) and Var), 19 16 Pr=r)=(3\0.4) (06) where r=0, 1,2, 3, show that the total probability ist 20 The probability function of a random variable ¥ is given by (2 pur=n=e?(F)r=01 e : 1 Use the Maclaurin series e* = 14.44 ox 4 L904 «to show that a (a) PW = n=) P(X =r) =2