Subsidiary Mathematics
SENIOR Six term 2
TOPIC 2/2: Random Variables
Competency: The learner analyses concepts of random variables to model real-world situations
in various contexts for informed decision making.
Discrete probability distribution
A probability density function (p.d.f) if it takes on specific values
Properties of discrete probability density functions
(i) P(X=x) 0
(ii) ∑ ( ) ∑ ( )
(iii) The expected value of x is given by E(X) = ∑ ( )=∑ ( )
(iv) Var(X) = E(X2) - [E(x)]2 where E(X2) = ∑ ( ) ∑ ( ) (∑ ( ))
(v) Standard deviation =√ ( ) =√∑ ( ) (∑ ( ))
Examples 1
A discrete random variable has a probability distribution
y -3 -2 -1 0 1
P(Y=y) 0.1 0.25 0.3 0.15 a
Find
(a) value of a
∑ ( )
0.1 + 0.25 + 0.3 + 0.15 + a = 1;
a + 0.8 = 1
a = 0.2
(b) mode
Mode is the value y with the highest probability, mode = -1
(c) P(-3 )
P(-3 ) = P(Y= -3) + P(Y = -2) + P(Y = -1)
= 0.1 + 0.25 + 0.3
= 0.65
(d) P(Y>-1)
P(Y> -1) = P(Y = 0) + P(Y = 1)
= 0.15 + 0.2
= 0.35
(e) P(-1<Y<1)
P(-1<Y<1) = P(Y = 0)
= 0.15
Example 2
A discrete random variable X has a probability distribution
X 1 2 3 4 5
P(X = x) 0.15 0.20 0.15 c 0.1
Find
(i) the value of c
∑ ( )
0.15 + 0.20 + 0.15 + c + 0.1 = 1
c +0.6 = 1
c = 0.4
(ii) mode
The mode is a value with highest probability = 4
(iii) P(X<4)
P(X<4) = P(X=1) + P(X= 2) + P(X = 3)
= 0.15 + 0.20 + 0.15
= 0.5
(iv) P(X 4
P(X<4) = P(X=1) + P(X= 2) + P(X = 3) + P(X= 4)
= 0.15 + 0.20 + 0.15 + 0.4
= 0.9
(v) P(2 )
P(2 ) = P(X = 2) + P(X = 3) + P(X = 4)
= 0.20 + 0.15 + 0.4
= 0.75
(vi) P( )
( )
P( ⁄ ) =
( )
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( ) ( )
= ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
= 0.6111
Example 3
The table below shows the probability distribution of the number of Compact Discs (CDs) sold.
Number of CDs (x) 0 1 2 3 4
Probability, P(X = x) 0.05 0.28 c 0.22 0.09
Determine the:
(a) Value of c (03 marks)
∑ ( )
0.05 + 0.28 + c + 0.22+ 0,09 = 1
c =0.36
(b) Probability that at least 2 CD’s are sold. (03 marks)
P(x ≥2) = P(x =2) + P(x = 3) + P(x = 4)
= 0.36 + 0.22 + 0.09
= 0.67
(c) Expectation, E(X) (03 marks)
E(X) = ∑xP(X= x)
= 0.05 x 0 + 0.28 x 1 + 0.36 x 2 + 0.22 x 3 + 0.09 x 4
= 2.02
(d) Standard deviation. (06marks)
Var(X) =E(X2) = ∑x2P(X= x)
= 0.05 x 02 + 0.28 x 12 + 0.36 x 22 + 0.22 x 32 + 0.09 x 42
=5.14
S.D =√ ( ) ( ( )) √ ( ) = 1.0294
Example 4
A discrete random variable W has a probability distribution shown below
w -3 -2 -1 0 1
P(W =w) 0.1 0.25 0.3 0.15 d
Find
(a) The value of d (02 marks)
Solution
Total probability = 1 = 0.1 + 0.25 + 0.3 + 0.15 + d
d + 0.8 = 1
d = 0.2
(b) P(-3 ≤ W ≤ -1) (03marks)
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P(-3 ≤ W ≤ -1)
= P(W = -3) + P (W = -3) + P(W = -1)
= 0.1 + 0.25 + 0.3
= 0.65
(c) P(W > -1) (02 marks)
P(W > -1) = P(W = 0) + P(W = 1)
= 0.15+ 0.2
= 0.35
(d) (i) the mode (01 mark)
-1
(ii) the mean (01mark)
(iii) the variance of the distribution (05marks)
w -3 -2 -1 0 1
w2 9 4 1 0 1
P(W =w) 0.1 0.25 0.3 0.15 0.2
w. P(W =w) -0.3 -0.5 -0.3 0 0.2
w2. P(W =w) 0.9 1.0 0.3 0 0.2
Mean E(W) = ∑ ( ) = -0.3 – 0.5 – 0.3+ 0.2 = -0.9
Var(W) = ∑ ( ) (∑ ( ))
= 0.9 + 0.1 + 0.3 + 0.2 – (-0.9)2
= 1.5 – 0.81
= 0.69
Example 5
A random variable X has a probability distribution given by
( ) {
Calculate:
(a) P(1 ≤ X < 3). (03marks
P(1 ≤ X < 3) = P(X=1) + P(X = 2) = = 0.3
(b) the mean of X, E(X) (02 marks)
X 1 2 3 4
X =x 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
x(P(X=x) 0.1 0.4 0.9 1.6
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E(X) = 0.1 + 0.4 + 0.9 + 1.6 = 3
Example 6
A discrete random variable has a probability function ( ) {
Find the value of c and draw the graph of P(X = x)
Solution
∑ ( )
c(02) + c(12) + c(22) + c(32) + c(42) = 1
c + 4c + 9c + 16c = 2
c=
X 0 1 2 3 4
P(X =x) 0
Graph
Example 7
A discrete random variable has probability function
( ) { , find the value of k and draw the graph of f(x)
Solution
∑ ( )
k + 2k + 3k + 4k = 1
k=
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X 0 1 2 3 4
P(X =x) 0
Graph
Example 8
A random variable X of a discrete probability distribution given by
P(X=1) = 0.2, P(X=2) = P(X=3) = 0.1, P(X=4) = P(X=5) = c
Find the value of the constant c and draw the graph of P(X = x)
Solution
∑ ( )
0.2 + 0.1 + 0.1 + c + c = 2; c = 0.3
Example 9
A discrete random variable has a probability function
( ) ( )
{
Find the value of k
Solution
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ( ) ( ) ( ) )
Sum to infinity =
( ) = 1; k =
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Example 10
A discrete random variable X has a probability function
( ) {
Find
(i) the value of k
∑ ( )
k + 2k + 3k + 4k + 5k = 1
15k = 1
k=
(ii) P(X = 3)
P(X=3) = 3k =
(iii) P(X 3)
P(X 3) = P(X=3) + P(X=4) + P(X = 5)
= 3k + 4k + 5k
= 12k
=
(iv) P(X )
P(X )= P(X= 1) + P(X=2) + P(X = 3)
= k + 2k + 3k
=
(v) (v) P(1 3)
P(1 3) = P(X=2) + P(X = 3)
= 2k + 3k
=
(vi) P( )
( )
P( ⁄ ) ( )
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( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
Example 11
A discrete random variable X can take on values 0, 1, 2, and 3 only. If E(X) = 1.4, P(X ) = 0.9 and
P(X 1) = 0.5. Find (i) P(X=1) (ii) P(X =0)
Let P(X = 0) = a, P(X=1)=b, P(X=2)= c p(X = 3) = d
a + b + c + d = 1 ……………. (i)
P(X ) = a + b+ c = 0.9 … (ii)
Eqn. (i) and eqn. (ii)
d = 0.1
P(X 1) = a + b = 0.5 ……. (iii)
Eqn. (i) and eqn. (iii)
0.5 + c + 0.1 = 1
c = 0.4
E(X) = 0 x a + 1 x b + 2 x c + 3 x 0.1 = 1.4
= b + 2c + 0.3 = 1.4
b + 2c = 1.1
b + 2 x 0.4 = 1.1
b = 0.3
a = 0.5 – 0.3 = 0.2
Hence, (i) P(X=1) = 0.3 (ii) P(X =0) = 0.2
Revision exercise 1
(Answers are given in the square brackets, [ ], at end of each question)
1. The discrete random variable Y has a probability distribution is given by
P(Y=y) = cy, y = 1, 2, 3, 4
Find (i) value of c = 0.1 (ii) E(X) =
2. A discrete random variable has p.d.f
( ) { ,
Find
(i) (i) value of k * +,
(ii) Mean [5.01]
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3. A discrete random variable X has a probability distribution
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
P(X= x) 0.11 0.17 0.2 0.13 p 0.09
Find
(i) the value of p [0.3]
(ii) Expected value of X [2.61]
4. A random variable X of discrete probability distribution is given by
x -1 0 1 2
P(X= x) 0.25 0.10 0.45 0.20
Find
(i) P(-1 X <1) [0.35]
(ii) E(X) = [0.6]
5. A discrete random variable X has a probability distribution
x 1 2 3 4 5
P(X = x) 0.2 0.25 0.4 0.1 0.05
Find
(i) Mean [2.55]
(ii) The variance (1.148]
(iii) Standard deviation = [1.0714]
6. A random variable X of a discrete probability distribution given by
x 10 20 30
P(X = x) 0.2 0.3 0.5
Find
(i) E(X) [22]
(ii) Var (X) [36]
(iii) Standard deviation[6]
7. A random variable X of discrete probability distribution is given by
x 1 2 3
P(X = x) 0.2 0.3 0.5
Find (i) E(X) = 2.3 (ii) E(X2) = 5.9
(iii) Var (X) = 0.61
8. A random variable X of discrete probability distribution is given by
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x -1 0 1 2
P(X = x) 0.25 0.1 0.45 0.2
Find: (i) P(-1≤ X < 2) = 0.8 (ii) E(X) = 0.6 (iii) E(2x + 3) = 4.2
9. A random variable X of a discrete probability distribution
P(X = 0) = 0.05, P(X = 1) = 0.45 P(X = 2) = 0.5
Find: (i) E(X) = 1.45, (i) E(X2) = 2.45 (iii) Var (X) = 0.348
10. A random variable X of discrete probability distribution is given by P(X = 1)
0.1, P(X= 2) = 0.2, P(X = 3) = 0.3, P(X =4)= 0.4
Find (i) E(X) = 3 (ii) Var (X) = 1 (iii) P(X = 2/X≥2) =
11. The discrete random variable Y has a probability distribution P(Y = y) = k =1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6
Find (i) mean, μ = 3.5 (ii) E(3X +4) = 15 (iii) E(X2)=14.5 (iv) standard deviation = 1.708
12. The discrete random variable R has a probability distribution is given by
P(R = r) = ; r = 0, 1, 2, 3
Find (i) mean, μ= , E(R2) = (iii) E(3R-2) =
13. The discrete random variable R has a probability distribution given by
( ) {
Find (i) E(R) = 2.55, (ii) Var(R) = 1.45
14. The discrete random variable X has a probability distribution given by
( ) {
( )
Find (i) constant, k = 0.04, (i) E(X) = 5 (iii) Var(X) = 4
15. The discrete random variable X has a probability distribution is given by
P(X =x) = kx, x = 1, 2, 3,…..n ; where k is a constant
Show that k = , hence find in terms of n the mean X = ( )
( )
16. A random variable X of a discrete probability distribution given by
P(X = 0) = P(X=1) = 0.1, P(X = 2) = 0.2, P(X= 3) = P(X = 4) = 0.3. Find Var (X) = 1.64
17. A random variable X of a discrete probability distribution given by
P(X = 2) = 0.1; P(X= 4) = 0.3; P(X = 6) = 0.5; P(X = 8) = 0.1. Find Var (X) 2.56
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Continuous random variable
A probability density function (p.d.f) is continuous if it takes on values between intervals.
Properties of a continuous probability density functions
(i) f (x) ≥ 0
(ii) ∫ ( )
(iii) E(X)= ∫ ( )
(iv) E(X2)= ∫ ( )
(v) Var(X) = E(X ) - [E(x)]2
2
(vi) Standard deviation =√ ( ) =√∑ ∫ ( ) (∑ ( ))
Example 12
A continuous random variable X has a probability density function given by,
( ) {
Where k is a constant
(a) Find
(i) The value of k (04marks)
∫ ( )
∫ * +
( ) ( )
(ii) P(X ≥ 1.5) (04marks)
P(X ≥ 1.5)= * + ( )
(iii) The mean of X, E(X) (03 marks)
E(X) =∫ ( ) = ∫ * + ( )
(b) Sketch the graph of f(x) (04 marks)
f(x) =
At x = 1, fx =
At x = 2, fx =
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fx
1 2
Example 12
A random variable X has a probability density function, f(x), defined by
( )
( ) {
where k is constant
Determine
(a) value of k (04marks)
∫ ( )
∫ ( )
* + =1
( ) => k =
(b) P(1≤ X ≤1.5) (03marks)
P(1≤ X ≤1.5) = * + = *( ) ( )+=0.306
(c) Expectation, E(X) (04marks)
E(X) = ∫ ( ) = ∫ ( )
= * +
= ( )
= 1.4
(d) Variance, Var(X) (04marks)
E(X2) = ∫ ( ) = ∫ ( )
= * +
= ( )
= 2.16
Var(X) = E(X ) – (E(x))2
2
= 2.16 – (1.4)2 = 0.2
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Example 14
A cumulative random variable X, has a probability density function (pdf) given by
( )
( ) {
Where k is a constant
Determine the:
(i) value of k (04 marks)
∫ ( )
∫ ( )
k* + =1
( ) =1
k=
(ii) P(X> 1). (04 marks)
* + = * += = 0.7654
(iii) expectation, E(X) (03marks)
E(X) = ∫ ( )
= ∫ ( ) =∫ ( )
= * + = ( )
= 1.75
(iv) variance, Var (X)(04marks)
E(X2) = ∫ ( )
= ∫ ( ) =∫ ( )
= * + = ( )
= 3.8
Var(X) = E(X2) – (E(x))2
= 3.8 – (1.75)2
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= 0.7375
Example 15
A random variable of continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) {
Find (i) value of k and sketch f(x) (ii) P(1 ≤ x ≤ 3)
Solution
(i) ∫ Sketch
f(x)
* + * +
⁄
k=
When x = 0, f(x) =
When x = 4, f(x) = 0 4 x
(ii) P(1 ≤ x ≤ 3)= ∫
= * + * +
Example 16
( )
A random variable X of a continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) {
Find
(i) value of k and sketch f(x)
∫ ( ) f(x)
* + *( ) ( )+
⁄
k=
When x = 0, f(x) = ( )
When x = 3, f(x) = [ ] 0 3 x
(ii) P(1 ≤ x ≤ 3)
∫ ( ) = * + *( ) ( )+
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Example 17
A random variable X of continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) { ( )
Find (i) value of k and sketch f(x) (ii) P(X<1) (ii) P(X > 2.5) (iv) ( ⁄ )
Solution
f(x)
∫ ∫ ( ) When x = 0, f(x) = k =
[ ] [ ]
When x = 2, f(x) = k = f(x) =
k= ⁄
When x = 3, f(x) = (2 x3 - 3)
= 0 2 3 x
(ii) P(X<1) = ∫ = [ ] =
(iii) P(X > 2.5) = ∫ ( ) [ ]
( ) (( ) ( )) ∫
(iv) ( ⁄ )
( )
= =
( ) ∫ ∫ ( )
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Revision exercise 2
(Answers are given in the square brackets, [ ], at end of each question)
1. A random variable x of a continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) {
(a) Sketch f(x)
(b) Find (i) value of k (= ) (ii) E(X) = 3 and var (X) = 0.6 (iii) P(1<X<2) =
2. A random variable x of a continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) { ( )
Find (i) constant k = 1 (ii) E(X) = 1 (iii) var(X) = (iv)P(0.75 < X < 1.5) = (v) mode =1
3. A random variable x of a continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) {
(a) Sketch f(x)
(b) Find (i) E(X) = 3417 (ii) standard deviation = 1.008
4. A random variable x of a continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) { ( )
(i) Show that k =
(ii) Find (i) E(X) = 2 (ii) Var(X) = 4-
( )
5. A random variable x of a continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) {
(i) Show that k =
(ii) Given that E(X) = 1, find the values of a (=2) and k(=0.75)
(iii) For the above values of a and k, find Var(X) = 0.2
( )
6. A random variable x of a continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) {
Find the (i) mean = 0.6 (ii) standard deviation = 0.2
7. A random variable x of a continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) {
Find (i) value of k (=1) (ii) mean = (iii) standard deviation =
√
( )
8. A random variable x of a continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) {
Find (i) mean = (ii) var(X) = (iii) P(2.5 < x< 3) = 0.234
( )
9. A random variable x of a continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) {
Find (i) constant k = (ii) mean = (iii) standard deviation = 0.94
10. A random variable x of a continuous p.d.f is given by ( ) { ( )
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Find (i) value of k = (ii) E(X) = 2 (iii) Var(X) = (iv) P(X< 1) = (iv) P(X<X<3) =
Thank You
Dr. Bbosa Science
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