A level Statistics 1-CIE 9709/06

A variable is a quantity whose value changes.

A discrete variable is a variable whose value is obtained A continuous variable is a variable whose value is
by counting. obtained by measuring.

Examples: number of students present Examples: height of students in class

number of red marbles in a jar weight of students in class
number of heads when flipping three coins time it takes to get to school
students’ grade level distance travelled between classes

A random variable is a variable whose value is a numerical outcome of a random phenomenon.

▪ A random variable is denoted with a capital letter

▪ The probability distribution of a random variable X tells what the possible values of X are
and how probabilities are assigned to those values
▪ A random variable can be discrete or continuous
 Examples of Discrete Distribution

The most common discrete probability distributions include Binomial, Poisson, Bernoulli, and Multinomial.

Discrete data can only take on particular values in a range. Continuous data can take on any value in a range.
Discrete data usually arises from counting while continuous data usually arises from measuring.

How tall is a plant given a new fertiliser? Continuous. This is something you measure.

How many rats are on an oil palm tree estate? Discrete. This is something you count.

If you have a variable, and can find a probability associated with that variable, it is called a random variable. In
many cases the random variable is what you are measuring, but when it comes to discrete random variables, it is
usually what you are counting.

So for the example of how tall is a plant given a new fertiliser, the random variable is the height of the plant given
a new fertiliser. For the example of how many rats are on an oil palm estate, the random variable is the number of
rats on an oil palm estate.
Geometric distribution
• Geometric distribution describes a sequence of trials, each of which can have two
outcomes (success and failure)
• Trials are continued indefinitely until first success is obtained

• Simple example – Tossing a coin until we get a head

• Unlike the binomial distribution, the number of trials is not

known in advance.

Examples

What is the probability of getting the first 4 in 6th attempt when a die is rolled repeatedly?

Let X be the number of births in a hospital until the first boy is born. Find the distribution of a function of X.

A person is aiming to shoot bullseye in a dartboard game. What is the probability that he will hit the bullseye
on his 10th attempt?
 Geometric Distribution formula

r-1 - failing on r-1 trials and getting success on p

𝑖 . 𝑒. 𝑟=𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠 ( 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 )
Where p is probability of success and q is probability of failure and p + q =1
Mean :  = E(X) =
Variance : = Var (X) =
Examples

If X  Geo (0.4), find

a) P(X=2)

b) P(X > 4)

c) P(X= 6)

d) P(X = 6|X > 4)

Geometric Distribution

Geometric Distribution - Slides

Worked Solution

CIE 9709/05 – Statistics 1

A fast food chain puts a winning game piece on every fifth package
of French fries. Find the probability that you will a prize,

a) with your third purchase of French fries,

b) with third or fourth purchase of French fries.
Given that probability for a candidate to pass the road driving test is 2/3. What is the probability that the
candidate will pass the road driving test on the third attempt.
On an annual lawn ball county competition, Salford Fighters have 10% chance of winning the National
Lawn Ball Championship. Let X be the number of years until they next win.

Find the mean and standard deviation of X.

Exercise Answer
Exercise Answer
Exam Questions
Geometric Distribution

Geometric Distribution - Slides

Worked Solution

CIE 9709/05 – Statistics 1