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BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer
Science Module 1 - Probability Distributions
Lecture Notes

Prepared by

Dr. Shantha Kumari. K

AJIET, Mangaluru

Email : shanthakk99@[Link]
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Table of Contents
1 Probability Distributions 2 1.1 Review of basic probability theory : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . 2 1.2 Random Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1.3

Discrete random variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1.4 Continuous

Random Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1.5 Probability mass function

(pmf) : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1.6 Probability density function . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1.7 Mean and Variance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . 9 1.8 The Cumulative Distribution Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

1.9 Binomial Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 1.10 Mean and

standard deviation of the Binomial Distribution : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 1.11 Poisson

Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 1.12 The Mean and

Variance of Poisson Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 1.13 Exponential

distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 1.14 Normal (Gaussian)

Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 1.15 Question Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

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Module 1
Probability Distributions

Syllabus : Review of basic probability theory, Random variables (discrete

and con tinuous), probability mass and density functions, Mathematical
expectation, mean and variance, Binomial, Poisson and normal
distributions- problems (derivations for mean and standard deviation for
Binomial and Poisson distributions only)-Illustrative examples. exponential
distribution.

1.1 Review of basic probability theory :

• Random Experiment : An experiment is a random experiment if its

outcome cannot be predicted precisely. One out of a number of
outcomes is possible in a random experiment. A single performance of
the random experiment is called a trial.

• Outcome : An outcome is a possible result of an experiment.

• Sample Space : The sample space S is the collection of all possible

outcomes of a random experiment. The elements of S are called
sample points. A sample space is called discrete if it is a finite or a
countably infinite set. An uncountable sample space is called a
continuous sample space.

• Event : An event is a subset of the sample space. i.e. a subset of

possible outcomes for our experiment.

2
Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 3

Events are denoted by A, B, C · · ·

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S is the certain event (sure to occur) and Φ is the impossible event.
Example 1 : Tossing a fair coin The possible outcomes are H (head)
and T (tail). The associated sample space is S = {H, T }. It is a finite
sample space. The events associated with the sample space S are: S,
H, T and Φ.

Example 2 : Consider the experiment of tossing a coin twice.

Then S = {HH, HT , TH, T T }. For a small sample space like this, one can
readily list all of the possible events. In this case, there are 16 possible
events. Some of them are A = {HH}, B = {HT }, C = {TH}, D = {T T }, E =
{HH, HT }, F = {HH, TH} and so on.

Example 3 : Tossing a fair coin thrice Consider the experiment of flipping a coin
three times and recording the possible outcomes of the three flips. In this case,
the sample space is S = {T T T , T TH, THT , HT T , THH, HTH, HHT , HHH}
Here {HHH}, {HHT , THH, T T T }, {HHH, T T T } etc. are some of the events.

Example 4 : Throwing a fair die The possible 6 outcomes are:

The associated finite sample space is S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}. Some events

are , A = The event of getting an odd face = {1, 3, 5} B = The event of
getting a six = {6}, and so on.

• Equally Likely Events (Equiprobable events) : Two or more events are

equally likely if they have equal chance of occurrence. That is, equally
likely events are

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

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such that none of them has greater chance of occurrence than the
others.
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Example 1. While tossing a fair coin, the outcomes ’Head’ and ’Tail’ are
equally likely.

Example 2. While throwing a fair die, the events A = {2, 4, 6}, B = {1, 3,
5}&C = {1, 2, 3} are equally likely.

• Mutually Exclusive events (Disjoint events) : Two or more events are

mutu ally exclusive if only one of them can occur at a time. That is, the
occurrence of any of these events totally excludes the occurrence of
the other events. Mu tually exclusive events cannot occur together.

Example 1. While tossing a coin, the outcomes ’Head’ and ’Tail’ are
mutually exclusive because when the coin is tossed once, the result
cannot be Head as well as Tail.
 Example.2. While throwing a die, the events A = {2, 4, 6} , B = {3, 5}
and C = {1} are mutually exclusive.

• Mathematical definition of probability : If the outcome of a trial consists

n exhaustive, mutually exclusive, equally possible cases, of which m of
them are favourable cases to an event E, then the probability of the
happening of the event E, usually denoted by P (E) or simply p is
defined to be equal to mn.

i.e.. P (E) = (number of favourable cases)

m
(number of possible cases)= n
• Axioms of Probability :

(i) Axiom 1: For any event A, P (A) ≥ 0

(a negative probability does not make sense).

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(ii) Axiom 2 : If S is the sample space for a given experiment, P (S)

=1
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unity). (iii) Axiom 3 : If A ∩ B = Φ, then P (A ∪ B) = P (A) + P (B)

Addition Theorem : For any sets A and B (not necessarily mutually

exclusive), P (A ∪ B) = P (A) + P (B) − P (A ∩ B)

The addition theorem of probability for three events is given by P

(A ∪ B ∪ C) = P (A) + P (B) + P (C) − P (A ∩ B) − P (A ∩ C) − P
(B ∩ C) + P (A ∩ B ∩ C)
The probability of an event A occurring when it is known that some event B
has occurred, is called a conditional probability of the event given that B
has occurred and denoted by P (A|B ).

P (A|B), is defined by
P (A|B) = P (A ∩ B)

P (B)if P (B) > 0

If P (B) = 0, P (A|B) is not defined.

This formula offers a convenient way to compute joint

probabilities: P (A ∩ B) = P (A)P (B|A) = P (B)P
(A|B)
Two events A and B are independent (or statistically independent) if
probability of occurrence of one event does not change the probability of
occurrence of other event. (i.e. if P (A|B) = P (A)). Note that if P (A|B) = P
(A), then the following two conditions also hold.
P (B|A) = P (B)
and
P (A ∩ B) = P (A)P (B)

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
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1.2 Random Variables

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A random variable is a function that associates a real number with each
element in the sample space. In other words it is a function from the sample
space S to the set of all real numbers; denoted as X : S 7→ R
 Example 1: While tossing a coin, suppose that the value 1 is associated for
the out come ‘head’ and 0 for the outcome ‘tail’. In other words, let X= no. of
heads. We have the sample space S = {H, T } and if X is the random
variable then X(H) = 1 & X(T ) = 0.
Hence range of X = {0, 1}

Example 2: For example, consider the random experiment of tossing three

fair coins up.
Then S = {HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT, TTT}.
Define X as the number of heads that appear.
Hence, X (HHH) =3 , X (HHT) =2, X (HTH) =2, X (THH) =2 , X (HTT) =1,
X(THT) =1 , X (TTH) =1 and X(TTT) =0.
Here the image set of the random variable may be written as X = {0, 1, 2, 3} .

1.3 Discrete random variable

A discrete random variable is a random variable X whose possible values

can be listed as a finite set of values or countably infinite set of values.

Example : In the Experiment of tossing a coin twice, if X= such as no. of

heads, then the values taken by X are listed as X = 0, 1, 2. Hence X is
discrete random variable.

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

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Exampe : Other Examples for discrete random variable are the size of a
family, No.
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of accidents on road, No. of customers in a bank, No. of cars manufactured
by the company, The no. of transactions in a bank per day etc

1.4 Continuous Random Variable

A random variable ’X’ which takes all possible values in a given interval is
called a continuous random variable.

Example : If X takes all values in a interval [0,1], then we can not list the
values taken by X. Hence X is a continuous random variable.
Other examples are, The temperature at a location, The life time of
electronic compo nent, The reaction temperature at chemical laboratory,
Current in a semi-conductor diode etc.
Note :
Remember that discrete random variables can take only a countable
number of pos sible values. On the other hand, a continuous random
variable X has a range in the form of an interval.

1.5 Probability mass function (pmf) :

Let X be a discrete random variable defined on the Sample space S, and let
the val ues of X are x1, x2, x3, · · · , xn. The function p(xi) = P (X = xi), that
assigns a probability to each possible value of the random variable is said
to be a prob ability mass function(pmf)(or probability distribution) if it
satisfies the following properties.

(a) Non-negativity : P (xi) ≥ 0, for all xi ∈ X

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
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(b) Normality: Σ∞
i=1P (xi) = 1 for all xi ∈ X
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probability that a random variable X takes a value in the closed interval

[a, b] is given by
 a≤x≤b
p(x)
P (a ≤ X ≤ b) = X

Note : Sometimes probability mass function is also called as probability

density function

Example : Consider tossing of three coins We get

S = {HHH, HTT, THH, TTH, HHT, HTH, THT, TTT}. If X = no.
of heads. then we have the following possibilities.

X=Number of heads 0 1 2 3
Number of 1 3 3 1
occurrence
P(x) 1 3 3 1
8 8 8 8

We can observe that P (xi) ≥ 0, for all xi ∈ X and Σ∞

i=1P (xi) = 1
Hence p(x) given above is a pmf.

1.6 Probability density function

Let X be a continuous random variable. Then a function f(x) defined for all
values of X is said to be a probability density function(pdf) if it satisfies the
following properties.

(a) non-negativity i.e., f(x) ≥ 0, for all x.

(b) Normality : i.e. R ∞

−∞ f(x)dx = 1 (i.e. The area under a pdf curve is always 1).

Note : The probability that a random variable X takes a value in the

(open or closed) interval [a, b] is given by the integral of a function. i.e.
Zb
P (a ≤ X ≤ b) = f(x)dx
a

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
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1.7 Mean and Variance

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Mean and Variance of discrete random variable :
 • If X is a discrete random variable with pmf p(x), then expected value of
X is defined as
xp(x).
E(X) = X x
This is also sometimes called the mean of the random variable X and
denoted as x¯ or µ.

• The expected value of X2is given by

2
E(X2) = X x x p(x).

• The quantity E(X − µ)2 = E(X2) − (µ)2is called the variance of the
random variable X and is denoted Var(X) or V (X) or σ2.
p
• The square root of the variance, σ ≡ V ar(X) is called the standard devi
ation.

Mean and Variance of continuous random variable :

• If X is a continuous random variable with pdf f(x), then the expected

value of X is defined by
Z∞
E(X) = x f(x) dx
−∞

The expected value of X2is

E(X2) = Z ∞ −∞ dx,

x2 f(x)

• The quantity E(X − µ)2 = E(X2) − (µ)2is called the variance of the
random variable X and is denoted Var(X) or V (X) or σ2.
p
• The square root of the variance, σ ≡ V ar(X) is called the standard devi
ation.
Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore
Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
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Problem 1. The probability density function of a random variable X is

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 X
ET 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
p(X k 3k 5k 7k 9k 11k 13
) k

Find P (X < 4), P (X ≥ 5), P (3 < X ≤ 6)

[VTU July 2013, 2010]

Solution : Here, p(x) is a valid pdf if (a) P (x) ≥ 0 and

P
(b) P (x) = 1
Hence we must have k ≥ 0 and
k + 3k + 5k + 7k + 9k + 11k + 13k = 1
1
i.e, 49K = 1 ⇒ K = 49

p(x < 4) = p(X = 0)+p(X = 1)+p(X = 2)+p(X = 3) = 16k =16

49
 P (x ≥ 5) = P (5) + P (6) = 11K + 13K = 24K =24 49
P (3 < x ≤ 6) = P (4) + P (5) + P (6) = 33K =33
49
Problem 2. A discrete random variable X has the p.m.f.:
x 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
f(x) k 2k 2k 3k k2 2k2 7k2 + k

(a) Find k (b) Evaluate P (X < 3), P (X ⩾ 6)

Solution: We know that f(x) must satisfy two condition to qualify as the p.m.f.:
(i) f(x) ⩾ 0∀x
∞
(ii) P −∞ f(x) = 1
Now, we use the condition (ii) to evaluate k :

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 11

P∞
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−∞ f(x)
= f(1) + f(2) + f(3) + f(4) + f(5) + f(6) + f(7) = 1 ⇒ k + 2k + 2k +
3k + k + 2k2 + 7k2 + k = 1
2

⇒ 10k2 + 9k = 1
 ⇒ 10k2 + 10k − k − 1 = 0
⇒ 10k(k + 1) − 1(k + 1) = 0
⇒ (10k − 1)(k + 1) = 0
⇒ k = −1,110
Now if we take k = −1, then condition (i) is not satisfied.
Taking k = 1/10 condition (i) becomes satisfied for all x. Next, P (X < 3)
= P {(X = 1) + (X = 2)} = P (X = 1) + P (X = 2)
= f(1) + f(2)
+2 that f(1) =
= 1 10
Remember k, f(2) = 2k
1 10

3
= 10
P (X ≥ 6) = P (X = 6) + P (X = 7) = f(6) + f(7)
100
2 1 10 1 10
=2 + 7 +
( 2 ) =2 + 1 1 10
1
7 1 100
100 +

2
= 100+7

100+10
100=19
100
Problem 3. A random variable x has the following density function
kx2, −3 ≤ elsewher
P (x) =
x≤30 e

Evaluate k and find (i) P (1 ≤ x ≤ 2) (ii) P (x ≤ 2) (iii) P (x > 1)

Solution : since p(x) is a pdf we must have

P (x) ≥ 0 and R ∞
−∞P
(x)dx = 1
Now P (x) ≥ 0 ⇒ k ≥ 0 and

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

 Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 12
Z3

Z∞

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 P (x)dx = 1 ⇒
kx2dx = 1
−∞ −3 1
kx 3 3
= 18
⇒ =1⇒k
3
−3
Z 21
P (1 ≤ x 18dx
≤ 2) = x2
1 3 21
7
= 18 x 3 1) = 54
1
= 54(8 −
Z 2 −3 2
18x dx
P (x ≤ 2)
1
=
1 3
= 18 x 1 27) = 35
= 54(8 +
2
Z3 1 −3
3 54
2
P (x > 1) = 1 18x dx
1 3
= 18 x 3 1
= 54(27 − 1) 54=13
31 27
= 26
Problem 4. The probability density function of a variate x is,
x −2 −1 0 1 2 3
P (X) 0.1 k 0.2 2k 0.3 k

Find k, Mean, Variance, SD [VTU July 2023, Model 2020, 2004]

Solution : Since p(x) is a pdf, We must have (a) P (xi) ≥ 0

P
and (b) P (xi) = 1
From (a) we have k ≥ 0
From (b), we can write,
0.1 + k + 0.2 + 2k + 0.3 + k = 1 ⇒ 4K + 0.6 = 1 ⇒ K = 0.1 Mean is
given by
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Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 13

X
(µ) = xiP (xi)

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= (−2)(0.1) + (−1)k + (0)(0.2) + (1)(2k) + 2(0.3) + 3k = −0.2 −
0.1 + 0.2 + 0.6 + 0.3 = 0.8
Variance is given by
2
σ = E[X2] − µ2

X 2 2
= x i P (xi) − µ
= (−2)2(0.1) + (−1)2k + (0)2(0.2) + (1)2(2k) +
22(0.3) + 32k − (0.8)2

= (0.4 + 0.1 + 0.2 + 1.2 + 0.9) − (0.8)2 = 2.16

p √
Thus Mean = 0.8, Variance = 2.16 and S.D= V ar(X) = 2.16
Problem 5. (i) Is the function defined by f(x) = e−x, x > 0, f(x) = 0, x < 0 is a
density function?

(ii) If so, determine the probability that the variate having this density will
fall in the interval (1, 2)

Solution : Here X is a continuous random variable.

(i) If f(x) is density function, it must satisfy the properties,
(a) f(x) ≥ 0, for all x.

and (ii)R ∞
−∞ f(x)dx = 1
Clearly We observe that condition (a) is satisfied (∵ f(x) ≥
0.) Now let us evaluate R ∞
−∞ f(x)dx Z∞
Z0
Z∞ f(x)dx
f(x)dx = Z ∞0
−∞
−∞ f(x)dx +
e−xdx
=0+

−x
= −e ∞
0

= −(0 − 1) = 1
i.e. condition (b) is satisfied.
Hence f(x) is a probability density function.

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 14

(ii) The probability that the variate having this density will fall in the interval
(1,2) is
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P (1 < x < Z 2 1 f(x)dx

−x 2 Problem 6. Find the constant k such

=−e 1 that the function f(x) = 
−2 −1 kx2 0 ≤ x ≤ 3 0 elsewhere
= −e − e
= 0.2325
Thus P (1 < x < 2) = 0.2325


is a p.d.f. Also find (i) P (1 < X < 2) (ii) P (X ≤ 1) (iii) P (X > 1) (iv) Mean (v)
Variance [VTU July 2023, Jan 2018]

Solution : Here, f(x) is a valid pdf if

(a) f(x) ≥ 0 and

(b) R ∞
−∞ f(x)dx = 1
From condition (a) we have k ≥ 0
Using condition (b),
Z∞ Z3
f(x)dx = 1 kx2dx = 1
⇒
−∞ 0
3
kx 3
⇒ = 1 ⇒ 9k =
30 1
1⇒k= 9

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 15 Z 2

(i) P (1 < x < 2) f(x)dx

=
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= x2
Z 21
9dx
 Z1 21
7
= = 27
x3 27
(ii) P (x ≤ 0 x2
Z 10
1) = = 9dx
f(x)dx
1 10
= 27 = x3 27
(iii)
P (x >
1 x2
Z 31
1) = = 9dx

Z3 f(x)dx
(iv) 31
x3 27
=26
27 =
µ= f(x)dx
Z ∞ −∞ x ·

Z 30 30
=
Mean
, 2
(v) 81
x ·x Varia = 3
nce 9
= 6= 4
9dx x4 36

V = E[X2] −
µ2 Z ∞
=
−∞
2
− (µ)2 2
x f(x)dx
Z 3 0 x2 x2 94
= ·
−
9dx
30
6
x5 45
=
81
− 1
81 81
= 15− 16=81
240=27
80
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Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
16

Problem 7. The pdf of the random variable X is given by the following

table.

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 ET x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
P(x K 2k 3k 4k 3k 2k k
)

Find (i) k (ii) P (X ≤ 1) (iii) P (X > 1) (iv) P (−1 < X ≤ 2) (v) Mean of X (vi) SD
of X [VTU: Dec/ Jan 16, July 2013]

P
Solution : Since p(x) is a pdf , we must have (a) p(x) ≥ 0 for all x and (b)
p(x) = 1.
(i) From condition (a) we have k ≥ 0
and the second Using condition (b), we have
1
k + 2k + 3k + 4k + 3k + 2k + k = 1 or 16k = 1 ∴ k = 16 (ii)
p(x ≤ 1) = p(−3) + p(−2) + p(−1) + p(0) + p(1)
 13
= 13k = 16
(iii) (iv) 3
p(x > 1) = p(2) + p(3) = 3k = 16

p(−1 < x ≤ 2) = p(0) + p(1) +

9
(v) p(2) = 9k = 16

X
Mean = µ = x · p(x)
= −3(k) − 2(2k) − 1(3k) + 0(4k) + 1(3k) + 2(2k) + 3(k) = 0
(vi)
X 2 2 2
Variance = V = (x − µ) · p(x) = E(X ) − µ
X 2
= x · p(x) − 0
= (−3)2(k) + (−2)2(2k) + (−1)2(3k) + 02(4k)
+ 12(3k) + 22(2k) + 32(k)
1 5
= k(9 + 8 + 3 + 0 + 3 + 8 + 9) = 16(40) = 2

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 17 q

5
1
Thus k = 16, Mean =0 and S . D .=2
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Problem 8. The probability density p(x) of a continuous random variable is
given by p(x) = y0 e−|x|, −∞ < x < ∞. Prove that y0 = 12. Find the mean and
variance of the distribution. [vtu Dec 2012, 2004]
Solution : Given pdf is p(x) = y0 e−|x|, −∞ < x < ∞
Here, X is a continuous random variable.
Hence we must have,
Z∞
p(x)dx = 1
−∞
=1
⇒
y0
Z ∞ −∞
e−|x|dx
Z∞ function) y0 e−xdx
⇒2⇒2 y0 e−|x|dx = 1 (∵
= 1 (∵ |x| = x, for
Z∞ e−|x|is an even x > 0)
0
0
e−x ∞0
⇒
(−1)
2y0 =1

⇒ 2y0 [0 − (−1)] = 1 ⇒
1
y0 = 2
Mean is,
Z∞
µ = = xp(x)dxxe−|x|dx

−∞ y0
Z ∞ −∞

= 0 (∵ xe−|x|is an odd function)

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
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Now Variance is given by

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σ2 = E[X2] −
µ2
= Z∞ Z∞
−∞
 dx
2
x p(x) − µ2
= y0 x2e−|x|dx even function)
−∞
− 0 (∵ x2e−|x|is an
Z∞
= y0 2 x2e−xdx
∞0
2
= y0 2 (−1) + (2) e−x
0

(x2)e−x
−x
(−1)3
(−1)− (2x)e
= 2y0[(0 − 0 + 0) − (0 − 0 + −2)]
=2

Problem 9. A random variable X has p(x) = 2−x, x = 1, 2, 3 · · · Show that

p(x) is a probability function. Also find p(X even ), p(X being divisible by 3 )
and p(X ≥ 5)

Solution : Given pdf is p(x) = 2−x = 12x

Clearly (a) p(x) > 0 forall x and
3
(b)X i x=1
2 +···1
p (xi) = X x 1 1 2 1
∞
2 = 2+ 2 +

1 1 1 2
= 2 1 + 2+ 2 + · · ·
1 !
= 211−
1 =1
2

(∵ geometric series 1 + r + r2 + · · · =1

1 − r)
 Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore
Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 19 Hence p(x) =

2−xis a probability function.

AJI
ET (i)

p(Xis even ) = p(X = 2) + p(X = 4) + p(X = 6) · · ·

 1 2 1 4 1 6
= 2 + 2 + 2 +···
1 2" 1 2 1 2 2
= 2 1+ 2 + 2 +···#
1 2" #
= 2 1
1 − 122

1 4 1
= 4 3= 3
Thus p(Xis even ) = 13
(ii)
p(Xis divisible by 3) =p(X = 3) + p(X = 6) + p(X = 9) + · · ·
1 3 1 6 1 9
= 2 + 2 + 2 +···
1 3" 1 3 1 3 2
= 2 1+ 2 + 2 +···#
1 3" #
= 2 1
1 − 123

1 3 8 1
= 2 × 7= 7

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
20

Thus p(Xis divisible by 3) = 17

AJIE
T
(iii)
p(X ≥ 5) = 1 − p(X < 5)
i=1
4
= 1 −X
 4
= 1 −X 1
x=1
2x
1

p (xi)
4
=1−=1− 2 1
1 1 1
2+ 4+ 8+ 16
1 2 1 3 1
2+ 2 + 2 +
15 1
= 1 − 16= 16
Thus p(X ≥ 5) = 116
Problem 10. X is a continuous random variable with probability density function
 (2 ≤ x < 4) −kx +

given by f(x) = kx , (0 ≤ x < 2) 2k , 6k , (4 ≤ x < 6)
 Find k and mean
 value of X

Solution : Since f(x) is a pdf, we must

have Z 6
f(x)dx = 1
0
Z 20 Z 42 Z 64 6k)dx
⇒ kxdx + (−kx + = 1
2kdx +
2 2 6
⇒ k x /2 0+ 2k[x]42 +−kx2/2 + 6kx 4= 1
1
⇒ 2k + 4k + (−10k + 12k) = 1 ⇒ k = 8

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
21

Mean of X is
Z∞
AJIE
µ=
T −∞
Z6
x f(x)dx
 Z 20
== kx2dx + Z 4 2 Z 64
xf(x)dx 2kxdx x(−kx +
2
0 + 6k)dx !
−k
=k x3 3 x2 2 4 6 x2 2 6
+ 2k + x3 3 + 6k
4
0 152 4
2
8
3 1
=k + k(12) − k + 3k(20) = 8(24) = 3 3

1.8 The Cumulative Distribution Function

The cumulative distribution function (cdf) of a random variable X denoted as

F(x), is the probability that a random variable X takes a value less than or
equal to x.
Mathematically, it is defined as:
F(x) = P (X ≤ x)
I
The CDF also has some important properties:

1. F(x) is a non-decreasing function.

2. 0 ≤ F(x) ≤ 1 for all x.

In the case of discrete random variable X,

p(x)
F(x) =
Xx −∞
variable X, Z ∞
and in the case of
continuous random Zx
F(x) = f(x)dx = f(t) dt
−∞
−∞

n other words, the CDF is the integral of the PDF up to a certain

point. Probability in an Interval:

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

 Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 22

The probability that X falls in the interval (a, b) is given by the difference in
the

AJI
 ET
CDF values at F(b) − F(a) = f(x) dx
b and a: Z ba
P (a < X < b) =
This is essentially the area under the PDF curve between a and b.

Problem 11. Suppose that the error in the reaction temperature, in ◦C, for a
con trolled laboratory experiment is a continuous random variable X having
the proba
bility density function 
x2
 3, −1 < x < 2 0, elsewhere
f(x) =
(a) Verify that f(x) is a density function.
(b) Find P (0 < X ≤ 1).
(c) Find the Cumulative density function.

Solution :(a) To verify f(x) is a density function, we verify the following two
con ditions.
(i) non-negativity i.e., f(x) ≥ 0, for all x.

(ii) Normality : i.e. R ∞

−∞ f(x)dx = 1
Obviously, and
Z ∞ −∞ Z 2 −1 3dx
f(x) ≥ 0. f(x)dx = x2

3 2
=x 9 −1

8 1
= 9+ 9= 1
Hence f(x) is a density
function.
Z 10 1
P (0 < X 3dx 0

≤ 1) = x2
(b) 1
3
= 9.
=x 9

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
23
density function is
(c) The Cumulative Z x
AJIE
−∞
T
F(x) = f(t)dt
 Z x −1 dt
3
=
t2
3
=x + 1

Therefore,

9.
F(x) = 0, x < −1 x3+1

 9,
−1 ≤ x < 2 1, x
 ≥2

3 x
=t 9 −1

Problem 12. A random variable X takes the values −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3
such that P (X = 0) = P (X < 0) and P (X = −3)=P (X = −2)=P (X = −1) = P (X
= 1) = P (X = 2) = P (X = 3). Find the probability distribution. [VTU July
2017]

Solution : Here X is a discrete random variable.

Let us denote probabilities of X = −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3 respectively
by p1, p2, p3, p4, p5, p6, p7.
This can be represented as
X -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
P(x p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 p7
)

By Data,
P (X = 0) = P (X < 0)

⇒ P (X = 0) = P (X = −1) + P (X = −2) + P (X = −3) ⇒ P4 = P3 +

P2 + P1 · · · (1)

Also we have by data, p1 = p2 = p3 = p5 = p6 = p7 = k (say)

Then (1) becomes p4 = k + k + k = 3k
 Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore
Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 24

From the second property of pmf, we have

X

AJIE
 x

p1 + p2 + p3 + p4 + p5 + p6 + p7 = 1
p(x) = 1
T
k + k + k + 3k + k + k + k = 1
9k = 1
1
k= 9
Substituting,
p1 = p2 = p3 = p5 = p6 = p7
1 3
= 9 p4 = 3k = 9
and
Thus the probability distribution is as follows.
X -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
P(x 1
1
) 1
3
1
1
1
9
9
9
9
9
9
9

Problem 13. If the random variable X takes the values 1, 2, 3 and 4 such
that 2P (X = 1) = 3P (X = 2) = P (X = 3) = 5P (X = 4). find the probability
distribution function and cumulative distribution function of X.

Solution : Let P (X = 3) = k, then

k
2P (X = 1) = k ⇒ P (X = 1) = 2
k
3P (X = 2) = k ⇒ P (X = 2) = 3
k
5P (X = 4) = k ⇒ P (X = 4) = 5
X4 i=1

k k
p (xi) = 1 ⇒ 2+ 3+
k 61
k+ 5 = 1 61k

30= 1 ⇒ k =30

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 25

The probability distribution function is

AJIE
T
x=i
P (X = i)
1
15
61
2
10
61
3
30
61
4
6
61
The CDF F(x) = P (X ≤ x) is defined as follows:
Ifx < 1, F(x) = 0,

If 1 ≤ x < 2, then F(x) = P (X = 1) = 15

61,
If 2 ≤ x < 3, then F(x) = P (X = 1) + P (X = 2) = 25 61,
If 3 ≤ x < 4, then

F(x) = P (X = 1) + P (X = 2) + P (X = 3) = 55

61,
Ifx ≥ 4, then
F(x) = P (X = 1) + P (X = 2) + P (X = 3) + P (X = 4) = 1 Problem 14. A
coin is tossed twice. A random variable X represent the number of heads
turning up. Find the discrete probability distribution for X. Also find its mean
and variance.

Solution : When a fair coin is tossed twice, the possible outcomes for each
toss are either heads (H) or tails (T). The random variable X represents the
number of heads turning up in the two tosses.
Here, Sample Space, S = {HH, HT , TH, T T }.
X= number of heads
The association of the elements of S to the random variable X are
respectively 2, 1, 1, 0
Now, P (HH) = 14, P (HT ) = 14, P (TH) = 14, P (T T ) = 14 When X = 0, both
tosses result in tails (TT). Hence P (X = 0) = P (T T ) = 14 When X = 1, One
toss results in heads and the other in tails (HT or TH). P (X = 1) = P (HT ∪
TH) = 14 + 14 = 12
PX = 2) = P (HH) = 14
The discrete probability distribution for X is as follows.

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
26

X = xi 0 1 2
1 1 1
p (xi) 4 2 4
AJIE
T
Clearly, p (xi) > 0 and
P
p (xi) = 1
 P 1 1 1
Mean = µ = xi p (xi) = (0) 4 + (1) 2 + (2) 4 = 1
1 1 1 3
E(X2) = 02· 4+ 12· 2+ 22· 4= 2
Variance is
3 1
Var(X) = E(X2) − [E(X)]2 = 2− 1 = 2
Thus we have, Mean = 1 and Variance Problem 15. Find the constant k such
= 12 that the function f(x) = 
kxe−x 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 0 elsewhere

is a p.d.f. Find the mean. (VTU Model 2022)

Solution : Here, f(x) is a valid pdf if

(i) f(x) ≥ 0 and

(ii) R ∞
−∞ f(x)dx
=1
From condition (i) we have k ≥ 0
Using condition (ii),
Z∞ Z1
−x
f(x)dx = 1 ⇒ kxe dx = 1 0
−∞
Z1 xe−xdx = 1

⇒k
−x
10
(x)e
⇒k (−1)− (1)
0
e−x (−1)2 = 1

(using Bernoulli’s rule for integration by parts)

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 27

−x −x 1
⇒ k (−xe ) − e 0= 1
AJIE
T −1 −1
⇒ k (−(1)e ) − e
−1
−0
−0−e =1

⇒ k (−2)e + 1 = 1
⇒ k =1
−1
1 − 2e =1
Z∞
=e
e−2 1 − 2e=1e−2 e

Mean is given by,

−∞
x · f(x)dx

µ=
Z 10 kxe−xd
= x

x·
Z1
=k x2e−xdx
−x
0 2 (−1)− 2xe
(−1) +
1
−x
2e
0
=k 2 −x
x e
(−1)3
−1 −1 −1
= k (−1)e − 2e − 2e − 0 − 0 + 2 = k
(−5)e−1 + 2
2e −
=k
5e
−5
=k
e+ 2
2e −
5
=e
e−25e−
2 e
= 2e −

Problem 16. Let X be the random variable that denotes the life in hours of a
certain electronic device. The probability density function is
 20,000 elsewher
f(x) = 3
x ,x> e.
 100, 0,
Find the expected life of this type of device.

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
28

Solution : Here, X is a continuous random variable. Hence

Z∞

AJIE
 µ = E(X) = Z ∞ 100

= x f(x)dx
20, 000
T
= x20, 000
−∞ 2
Z∞ x dx

100
3
x dx

= −20,
∞ 100
000 x
=
0 −−20, = 200.
000 100
Therefore, we can expect this type of device to last, on average, 200 hours.

Problem 17. Let the random variable X represent the number of defective
parts for a machine when 3 parts are sampled from a production line and
tested. The following is the probability distribution of X.
x0123
f(x) 0.51 0.38 0.10 0.01
calculate σ2.

Solution :Here, X is a discrete randon variable.

First, we compute
X
µ = E(X) = xf(x)
= (0)(0.51) + (1)(0.38) + (2)(0.10) + (3)(0.01)
= 0.61
Now, + (9)(0.01) = 0.87.
2 X
EX = xf(x)

= (0)(0.51) + (1)(0.38) + (4)(0.10)

Therefore, (0.61)2 = 0.4979.
2
σ2 = EX − µ2 = 0.87 −

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 29

Problem 18. The weekly demand for a drinking-water product, in thousands

of liters,
AJI
 ET
from a local chain of efficiency stores is a continuous random variable X having the
probability density   0, elsewhere

2(x − 1), 1 < x < 2

f(x) =
Find the mean and variance of X.

Solution : Here, X is a continuous random

variable. Calculating E(X) and EX2, we have Z
∞

µ = E(X) = −∞ Z 2 x(x − 1)dx

=2 1
(x2 − x)dx
Z 21

=2 x f(x)dx
 =2 2
2
1
3
x
2 23
3−x
2 3 2
=2 3−2 2−1 3+1 2 8
1 1
3− 2 − 3+ 2
5
=2= 3

and
x2 f(x)dx
2
EX =Z ∞ −∞ (x3 − x2)dx 2
Z 2= 2
=2
x4
3
4−x

1
3 1
24

=2=2 4
8 1 1
− 3− 4+ 3
3 4
4−2 3−1 4+1
3
3
17
= 6.
Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore
Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
30

2
σ2 = EX − µ2
Therefore,
AJIE
T 1
= 18.
17 5
= 6− 3 2

Problem 19. A variate X has the probability distribution

 x : −3 6 9
P (X = x) : 1/6 1/2 1/3
2
Find E(X) and EX . Hence evaluate E(2X + 1)2.

Solution : Here X is a discrete random variable.

X
E(X) = xp(x)
1 1 1
= −3 × 6+ 6 × 2+ 9 × 3
= 11/2.
X
E(X)2 = x2p(x)
1 1 1
= 9 × 6+ 36 × 2+ 81 × 3
= 93/2
∴ E(2X + 1)2 = E4X2 + 4X + 1
2
= 4EX + 4E(X) + 1
= 4(93/2) + 4(11/2) + 1
= 209.

Bernoulli trials

• A random experiment having only two outcomes, arbitrarily labelled as

success (S) and failure (F) is called a Bernoulli trial.
Example 1: Result of an examination: “pass” (P) or “fail” (F).
Example 2: While Tossing a coin if you define success as the outcome

H and Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 31

Failure will be the outcome F.

AJIE
T
• If p is the probability of success then q = 1 − p is the probability of
failure in a single Bernoulli trial.
Always
 p+q=1
Example : In tossing a fair die, if you define success as getting the
outcome 6 then getting other outcomes will be a Failure.
Here p = P ({6}) = 16and q = P ({1, 2, 3, 4, 5}) = 56
Clearly, p + q = 1

1.9 Binomial Distribution

Suppose that we repeat Bernoulli trials n times independently under the

same condi tions. An experiment involving such independent Bernoulli trials
is called a binomial experiment.
Let X= no. of successes in n trials.
Clearly X can take the values X = 0, 1, 2, · · · , n
The probability of x successes out of n Bernoulli trials is
given by, P (x) = nCxpxqn−x with p + q = 1
This probability distribution can be given as
x 0 1 2 ·· n
·
p(x) qn n
C1p1qn−1 n
C2p2qn−2 ·· pn
·

It may be observed that the value of p(x) for different values x = 0, 1, 2, · · ·

, n are the successive terms in the binomial expansion of (q + p)n and
accordingly this distribution is called the Binomial Distribution or Bernoulli
Distribution. The pdf of Binomial Random Variable is given by

P (X = x) or p(x) = nCx pxqn−x

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
32

where
AJIE
T
n = no. of trials
x = no. of successes in n trials
p = Probability of Success in one trial
q = 1 − p is the Probability of Failure in one trial

When X is a binomial random variable we also write it as X ∼ B(n, p)

1.10 Mean and standard deviation of the Binomial Distribution :

The pmf of Binomial distribution is given by p(x) = nCxpxqn−x, x = 0, 1, · · · , n

xnCxpxqn−x
Then µ = E(X) =
Xn x=0
(Since the x = 0 term
n vanishes)
=X
xn!
x n−x
(n − x)!x!p q
x=0
n
=X n!
x n−x
(x − 1)!(n − x)!p q

x=1

n (x − 1)!(n −
µ =X x=1 x−1 n−x
n(n − 1)! x)!(p)p q
n (n − 1)!
= npX
x=1
(x − 1)![(n − 1) − (x −
n
= npX x−1 n−x
x=1
1)]!p q
n
= npX x=1 n−1
Cx−1px−1qn−x
(n − 1)!
x−1 n−x
(x − 1)!(n − x)!p q
n−1 n−1
= np C0qn−1 + n−1C1pqn−2 + n−1C2p2qn−3 + . . . . + n−1Cn−1p = np (p
n−1
+ q)

= np[p + q]n−1
 Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore
Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
33

But we know that p + q = 1

AJI
ET So E(X) =

np(1)n−1 = np
 x(x − 1)n!
E(X2) = Xn
x=0 [x(x − 1) +
n x]nCxpxqn−x
=X
x=0
n
=X
x=0
xnCxpxqn−x
n
=X
x2 nCxpxqn−x [x(x − 1)] nCxpxqn−x
n
+X x=0
(n − x)!x(x − 1)(x −
x n−x
x=2 2)!p q + np
2
= n(n − 1)p Xn
x=2
2 (n − 2)!
n
= n(n − 1)p X x−2 n−x
x=2 (x − 2)![(n − 2) − (x − 2)]!p q
2
= n(n − 1)p Xn x=2 + np n−2Cx−2px−2qn−x + np
(n − 2)!
x−2 n−x
(x − 2)!(n − x)!p q + np
2 n−2 n−2
= n(n − 1)p C0qn−2 + n−2C1pqn−3 + . . . + n−2Cn−2p + np = n(n −
2 n−2
1)p (p + q) + np
Since p + q = 1, we have
2
EX = n(n − 1)p2 + np
Using this, √
S.D. = npq
2
Var(X) = E X − [E(X)]2 =

n(n − 1)p2 + np − (np)2 =

n2p2 − np2 + np − n2p2

= np(1 − p) = npq
 Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore
Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
34

Using this result in (1) along with µ = np we have

AJIE
 V ariance(V ) = n(n − 1)p2 + np–(np)2
T
= n2p2–np2 + np − n2p2 = np(1 − p) = npq
Hencevariance(V ) = npq
√ √
S.D(σ) = V = npq
Thus we have for the binomial distribution,
Mean, µ = np
V (X) or σ2 = npq is the Variance,
√
S.D. or σ = npq is the Standard Deviation
Problem 20. Find n and p in the binomial distribution whose mean is 3 and
variance is 2.

Solution : Given, mean = 3 and variance is 2.

Dividing (2) by (1),
i.e np = 3 (1) npq = 2 (2) npq

2
np= 3
2
⇒q= 3
2 1
∴ p = 1 − q = 1 − 3= 3
1
np = 3 ⇒ n 3= 3 ⇒ n = 9
Problem 21. A die is tossed thrice. A success is ‘getting 1 or 6’ on a toss.
Find the mean and variance of the number of successes. [VTU Dec 2011]

Solution : X = no. of successes

p = 26 = 13
q = 1 − p = 23
n= 3
Mean = np = 3 × 13 = 1
Variance = npq = (3)13 × 23 = 23
Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore
Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
35

Problem 22. The probability that a pen manufactured by a factory be

defective is

AJI
 ET
1/10. If 12 such pens are manufactured, what is the probability that (i)
exactly 2 are defective (ii) at least 2 are defective (iii) none of them are
defective. [VTU :Jan 2020, July 2017, Dec/ Jan 16, , Dec 2012, 2004]

Solution :Let X = no. of defective pens

n = 12 (no. of pens)
Probability of a defective pen is p = 1/10 = 0.1
Probability of a non-defective pen = q = 1 − p = 1 − 0.1 = 0.9
We have P (x) = nCxpxqn−x where we have n = 12
(i) Prob. (exactly two defectives) is
P (x = 2) = 12C2(0.1)2(0.9)10 = 0.2301
(ii) Prob. (atleast 2 defectives) is,
P (X ≥ 2) = 1 − P (X < 2)
= 1 − [P (x = 0) + P (x = 1)]
 12 11
=1− C0(0.1)0(0.9)12 +12 C1(0.1)1(0.9)
= 0.341
(iii) Prob. (no defective) is ,
P (x = 0) = 12C0(0.1)0(0.9)12 = (0.9)12 = 0.2824

Problem 23. The probability that a bomb dropped hits the target is 0.2, find
the probability that out of 6 bombs dropped (i) Exactly two will hit the target
(ii) Atleast 2 will hit the target [VTU:June/ July 15]

Solution : Here let Success be hitting the target.

Hence X= no. of successes = no. of hits
n = 6 (no. of bombs),
p = 15
and q = 1 − 15 = 45
We have P (x) = nCxpxqn−x

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
36

(i)P(Exactly two will hit the target) is

AJI
ET p(x = 2) =

nC2p2qn−2
 = 6C2 1 5 4 4
2
5

= 0.2458
(ii) P (at least two bombs strike the
target) is, P (X ≥ 2) = 1 − P (X < 2)
= 1 − [p(0) + p(1)]
0 n−0 1 n−1
= 1 − nC0p q + nC1p q
6
= 1 − C0 15 0 45 15 1 45
" + 6C1
6 5#

= 1 − 0.65536
= 0.3446

Problem 24. In sampling a large no. of parts manufactured by a machine,

the mean number of defectives in a sample of 20 is 2. Out of 1000 such
samples, how many would be expected to contain atleast 3 defective
parts.? [VTU June 2019, 2004]

Solution :
In one sample :
let X= no. of defective parts.
n= no. of items = 20
Given that Mean, (µ) = np = 2
2 2
⇒ p = n= 20= 0.1
Hence q = 1 − p = 0.9

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
37
The pdf is P (x) = nCxpxqn−x = 20Cx(0.1)x(0.9)20−x Probability of atleast 3

AJI
defective parts
ET
P (X ≥ 3) = P (3) + P (4) + · · · + P (20)
OR
P (X ≥ 3) = 1 − P (X < 3)
= 1 − [P (0) + P (1) + P (2)]
20 19 2 18
= 1 − (0.9) + 20C1(0.1)(0.9) + 20C2(0.1) (0.9) =
0.323
Thus in 1000 samples the number of defectives is 1000 × 0.323 = 323

Problem 25. Out of 800 families of 5 children each, how many would you
expect to have (a) 3 Boys (b) 5 Girls (c) either 2 or 3 boys (d) atmost 2
girls? Assume equal probabilities for Boys and Girls. [ VTU August 2022,
August 2021, 2004]

Solution : In one Family :

 Let X= No. of Boys in the family
n= no. of children = 5 (given)
p= Probability of having a boy = 12
q = probability of having a girl = 12
x 1 5−x 5
pdf of X is, P (x) = nCxpxqn−x = 5Cx12 2 = 5Cx12 =5Cx
32
In 800 Families : We have to find the no. of families with given conditions. Hence
(i) No. of Families with 3 Boys is,

800P (X = 3) = 800 ×5C3

32
= 250
i.e. Expected number of families with 3 boys is 250.
(ii) No. of Families with 5 Girls = No. of Families with 0 Boys is
given by 800P (X = 0) = 800 ×5C0
32
= 25

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 38

i.e. Expected number of families with 5 girls is 25. (iii)No. of Families with 2
or 3
AJI
 ET
boys = No. of Families with 2 boys + No. of Families with 3 boys and is
given by 800P (X = 2) + 800P (X = 3) = 800 ×5C2

32+ 800 ×5C3

32
= 500
Expected number of faimilies with 2 or 3 boys is 500.
(iv) No. of Families with atmost 2 girls means that, families can have 5 boys
and 0 girls or 4 boys and 1 girl or 3 boys and 2 girls.
Hence required answer is
800P (X = 5) + 800P (X = 4) + 800P (X = 3)

32+ 800 ×5C4

= 800 ×5C5 = 400 32+ 800 ×5C3 32

i.e. Expected number of families with atmost 2 girls is 400.

Problem 26. The probability of germination of a seed in a packet of seeds is
found to be 0.7. If 10 seeds are taken for experimenting on germination in a
laboratory, find the probability that (i) 8 seeds germinate (ii) at least 8 seeds
germinate (iii) at most 8 seeds germinate. [ VTU Model 2020]

Solution : Here, let X= no. of germinating seeds

n= Total no. of seeds = 10
p= P(probability of germination of a seed ) = 0.7
q = 1 − p = 0.3
The pdf of X is,
p(x) = nCxpxqn−x = 10Cx(0.7)x(0.3)10−x
(i) P(8 seeds germinate) is ,
P (X = 8) = 10C8(0.7)8(0.3)10−8
= 0.2335

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 39

(ii) P(at least 8 seeds germinate) is,

AJIE
T
P (X ≥ 8) = P (X = 8) + P (X = 9) + P (X = 10)
= 10C8(0.7)8(0.3)10−8 + 10C9(0.7)9(0.3)10−9
+ 10C10(0.7)10(0.3)10−10
 = 0.2335 + 0.1211 + 0.0282
= 0.3828
(iii) P(at most 8 seeds germinate) is
P (X ≤ 8) = 1 − P (X > 8)
= 1 − [P (X = 9) + P (X = 10)]
= 1 − [0.1211 + 0.0282]
= 0.8507

1.11 Poisson Distribution

• Poisson distribution is regarded as the limiting form of the binomial

distribution when n is very large (n → ∞) and p the probability of
success is very small (p → 0)

• np tends to a fixed finite constant say λ. (ie. λ = np)

The pdf of Poisson distribution is given by

−λ x , X = {0, 1, 2, 3, . . .}
P (X = x) or p(x) = e λ x!

P (x) is also called Poisson Probability function and x is called a Poisson Variate.

1.12 The Mean and Variance of Poisson Distribution

The pmf of Poisson distribution is

P(x) = P(X = x) = e−λλx
x!

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 40 Mean E(X) =

X
 ∞
xp(x)

AJIE
T
x=0

=X
 −λ (
∞
xe λ X
x
x! ∞x−1 )
x=0 λ
x=1
= λe−λ (x − 1)!

= λe−λ 3
2!+λ
λ 2
1 + 1!+λ
λ x=0
= λe−λe = λ
2 =X
EX =X
∞ 3!+ . . .
x2p(x)
−λ x
xe λ
x!

x=0
[x(x − 1) +
=X ∞ −λ x
x]e λ x!
x=0
x!+X
=X
∞ x=2

e−λλx x=0
x=0
x(x −
−λ x
−λ x
1)e λ (x − 2)!+ xe λ x!
=X ∞ E(X)
∞
x=2
x−2
λ

2 (x − 2)!+ λ
= e−λλ X ∞

+λ
−λ 2
=e λ
λ 2!+ . . . ..
2
1 + 1!+λ
λ
= e−λλ2e + λ = λ2 + λ
2
Var(X) = Variance (X) = E X − [E(X)]2
 = λ2 + λ − λ2 = λ
√
S.D. = λ
The Mean and Variance of Poisson Distribution are given by
Mean, µ = λ, Variance, V (X)or σ2 = λ

Problem 27. If the mean of the poisson distribution is 2. Find P(x = 0) Dr.

Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 41

Solution: We know P (X = x) = e−λλx

x!

AJIE
Given λ = 2

−2 0
T
P (X = 0) = e 2
0!
−2
= e = 0.1353

Problem 28. In a poisson distribution if P (x = 3) = P (x = 2) find P (x = 0)

Solution: Given: P (x = 3) = P (x = 2) We know P (X = x) = e−λλx x!

P (x = 3) = P (x = 2) (given)
−λ 3
⇒e λ
−λ 2
3!=e λ
λ λ=3
⇒ 6= 2!
1
2⇒

−3 0
∴ P (x = 0) = e 3
0!
= e−3 = 0.0497

Problem 29. If X is a poisson variable with P (X = 2) = 23P (X = 1), find P (X

= 3) and P (X = 0)

Solution:We know P (X = x) = e−λλx

 2 2 −λ 1
P (X = 2) = 3P (X = 1) 2!= 3e λ
e−λλ2 x!Given that
4
λ λ= 3
2 1!
2= 3

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 42 ∴ P (X = 3)

−4 4
=e 3 3 3
AJIE
T 3!
= 0.1041
−43 4 4
P (X = 0) =e ( 3)
 0!
−1
=e 3

= 0.2635

Problem 30. Given that 2% of fuses manufactured by a firm are defective,

find by using Poisson distribution, the probability that a box containing 200
fuses has (i) no defective fuses (ii) 3 or more defective fuses (iii) At least
one defective fuse [VTU August 2022, Dec 2018, Dec 2010]

Solution: Here p = probability of a defective fuse = 2% = 2

100 = 0.02
n= no. of fuses = 200
mean number of defectives λ = np = 200 × 0.02 = 4 The Poisson distribution
is given by
x −λ
P (x) = λ e
x −4
x!=4 e
(i) Probability of no 0 −4
=4 e
defective fuse is = P (0) x!

0!= 0.0183
(ii) Probability of 3 or more defective
fuses, P (X ≥ 3) = 1 − P (X < 3)
= 1 − [P (0) + P (1) + P (2)]
1 −4
=1− 0!+4 e

40e−4 2 −4
1!+4 e

=1− 1 2!
1 +4
e−4
2!
2
1!+4

= 1 − 0.0183(1 + 4 + 8) = 0.76189
 Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore
Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
43

(iii) Probability of at least one defective fuse is :

AJIE
 P (X ≥ 1) = 1 − P (X < 1)
= 1 − p(X = 0)
T
= 1 − 0.0183
= 0.9817
Problem 31. In a certain factory turning out razar blades there is a small
probability of 1/500 for any blade to be defective. The blades are supplied in
packets of 10. Use poisson distribution to calculate the approximate number
of packets containing (i)no defective (ii) One defective (ii) Two defectives
in a consignment of 10000 packets
[VTU: Model 2020, Dec/ Jan 16, 2004]

Solution : Here let X= no. of defective blades

p = probability of a defective blade = 1
500 = 0.002
In one packet :
no. of blades, n = 10 and
The mean number of defective blades is
λ = np = 10 × 0.002 = 0.02
e−0.02
x! = (0.02)x
Poisson distribution is P (x) = λxe−λ x!
In a consignment of 10000
packets : (i) no. of packets with no
defective is
 −0.02
10000 × p(X = 0) = 10000 ×e (0.02)0
0!
= 9802
(i) no. of packets with one defective is
−0.02
10000 × p(X = 1) = 10000 ×e (0.02)1
1!
= 196
(iii) no. of packets with two defectives is
−0.02
10000 × p(X = 2) = 10000 ×e (0.02)2
2!
≈2

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
44

Problem 32. A car hire -firm has two cars which it hires out on a day to day
basis.
AJI
 ET
The number of demands for a car is known to be Poisson distribution with
mean 1.5 Find the probability of day on which (i) There is no demand for the
car and (ii) The demand is rejected.

Solution: Let X no. of demands for a car

n= no. of cars=2
Given that, λ = 1.5

x −1.5
∴ P (x) = (1.5) e x!
(i) The probability of day on which there is no demand for the
car is P (0) = (1.5)0e−1.5
−1.5
0!= e = 0.2231
(ii)The demand will be rejected if no. of demands is more than no. of
available cars. The probability that the demand is rejected is,
P (X > 2) = 1 − P (X ≤ 2)
 = 1 − [P (0) + P (1) + P (2)]

2 −1.5
=1− 1!+(1.5) e
(1.5)0e−1.5 2!

1 −1.5
0!+(1.5) e
−1.5 −1.5
=1−e + 1.5e−1.5 + 1.125e = 0.1912

Problem 33. The number of accidents in a year to taxi drivers in a city

follows a Poisson distribution with mean 3. Out of 1000 taxi drivers find
approximately the number of the drivers with“ (i) no accident in a year (ii)
more than 3 accidents in a year. (VTU July 2023)

Solution : For one driver:

Let X no. of accidents in a year
Given that X follows a Poisson distribution.
By data, mean λ = 3
The Poisson distribution is given by
−3 x
x!=e 3
x! x −λ
Out of 1000 drivers : P (x) = λ e

(i) Number of drivers with no accident in a year is,

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
45

−3 0
1000 × p(0) = 1000 ×e 3
AJIE
T 0!= 49.78 ≈ 50
(ii) Number of drivers with more than 3 accidents in a year
1000 × p(X > 3) = 1000 × {1 − P (x ≤ 3)}
 = 1000 {1 − [P (0) + P (1) + P (2) + P (3)]}
1 3
= 1000 e −3 0!+3 2!+3
3!
0 2
1− 3 1!+3

= 1000 {1 − [0.0498(1 + 3 + 4.5 + 4.5)]} ≈ 350

Extra problems from Binomial and Poisson Distributions

Problem 34. The probability that a man aged 60 will live up to 70 is 0.65.
What is the probability that out of 10 men, now 60, at least 7 will live to be
70? (VTU July 2023)

Solution: Let X = No. of men aged 60 will live to be 70

p = The probability that a man aged 60 will live to be 70 =
0.65 q = 1 − P = 1 − 0.65 = 0.35
Total Number of men, ( n ) = 10
Since n is small, we shall use Binomial Distribution.

p(x) = nCx pxqn−x = 10Cx (0.65)x(0.35)10−x

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 46

and X = 0, 1, 2, . . . 10
AJIE
T
Probability that at least 7 men will live to 70,
P (X ≥ 7) = p(7) + p(8) + p(9) + p(10)
= 10C7 (0.65)7(0.35)10−7
 + 10C8 (0.65)8(0.35)10−8
+ 10C9 (0.65)9(0.35)10−9
+ 10C10 (0.65)10(0.35)10−10
= 0.51383

Problem 35. If the probability of a bad reaction from certain injection is

0.001, determine the chance that out of 2000 individuals more than two will
get a bad reaction. [VTU July 2023, Jan 2018, 2008]

Solution: Given that p= probability of a bad reaction = 0.001

n= no. of individuals, n = 2000 As the probability p is very small, this follows
Poisson distribution.
Here Mean, λ = np = 2000 × 0.001 = 2
Poisson distribution is P(more than two will get
a bad reaction) is, P (x >
x −λ
P (x) = λ e 2) = 1 − P (x ≤ 2)
−2 x x!
x!=e (2)

= 1 − [P (x = 0) + P (x = 1) + P (x = 2)]
1
1!
−2
=1− 0!+e (2) −2 2
e (2) 2!
e−2(2)0

= 1 − e−2[1 + 2 + 2]
= 1 − 5e−2 = 0.3233

Problem 36. Suppose 300 misprints are randomly distributed throughout a

book of 500 pages, find the probability that a given page contains (i) exactly
three misprints (ii) less than three misprints and (iii) four or more misprints.
[VTU Model 2020]

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
47

Solution: we assume that X= the number of misprints on one page is the

 number of

AJI
successes.
ET
n = Total no. of misprints = 300 and p = 1/500
( assuming that misprints are evenly distributed in 500 pages)
Since n is large and p is small, we shall use Poisson
Distribution. Average no. of misprints is, λ = np = 300
500 = 0.6
(0.6)x −(0.6)
x! = e
Hence the pdf is 3 −(0.6)
p(x) = λxe−λ 3) = (0.6) e

(i)P(exactly three x!

misprints) is p(X =

3!= 0.0198
(ii) p(less than three misprints) is
p(X < 3) = p(0) + p(1) + p(2)
 0 −(0.6)
=(0.6) e
1 −(0.6)
0!+(0.6) e
2 −(0.6)
1!+(0.6) e
2! (0.6)2
= e−(0.6) 1 + (0.6) +
= 0.9768 (0.6)2 2!

2!
= 0.5488
1 + (0.6) +

and (iii) p(four or more misprints) is,

p(X ≥ 4) = 1 − p(X < 4)
= 1 − [p(0) + p(1) + p(2) + p(3)]
"
(0.6)0e−(0.6)
=1−
1 −(0.6) = 1 − 0.9966
0!+(0.6) e
= 0.0034
1!
# 3!
3 −(0.6)
2!+(0.6) e
2 −(0.6)
+(0.6) e

Problem 37. A die is thrown 8 times. Find the probability that 3 falls (i)
Exactly two times (ii) At least once (iii) At the most 7 times [VTU July 2013]

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
48

Solution: Let success be getting the outcome as 3

AJIE
T
Here no of trials, n = 8
In each throw chance of 3 falls is 1 out of 6.
Therefore p = 16, q = 56
 x5
The pdf is, P (x) = 8Cx16 6 (8−x)
2 5 (8−2)
(i) The probability that 3 falls exactly 2 times = P (2) = 8C216 6 =
0.2605
(ii) The probability that 3 falls at least once is
0 (8−0)
= P (X ≥ 1) = 1 − P (0) = 1 − 8C016 56 = 0.7674 (iii)
The probability that 3 falls at the most 7 times is
8 5 (8−8)
= P (X ≤ 7) = 1 − P (8) = 1 − 8C816 6 = 0.9999 ≈ 1
Problem 38. If the mean and standard deviation of the number of correctly
√
answered questions in a test given to 4096 students are 2.5 and 1.875.
Find an estimate of the number of candidates answering correctly (i) 8 or
more questions (ii) 2 or less (iii) 5 questions.

Solution: For a poisson distribution, mean = Variance = λ

We have mean = 2.5 and Variance = square of the S.D. = 1.875
Clearly, we can’t use Poisson Distribution.
√ √
For a binomial distribution, by data np = 2.5 and npq = 1.875 or npq =
1.875
Hence we have 2.5q = 1.875 ∴ q = 0.75; p = 1 − q = 0.25 Now,
np = 2.5 ⇒ (0.25)n = 2.5 ⇒ n = 10
For one student :
n = no. of questions= 10
Let x denote the number of correctly answered questions.

P (x) = nCxpxqn−x = 10Cx(0.25)x(0.75)10−x

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
49

Out of 4096 students :

AJIE
T
(i) Number of students correctly answering 8 or more questions is,
4096 p(X ≥ 8) = 4096[p(8) + p(9) + p(10)]
8 10−8
= 4096 10C8(0.25) (0.75) + 10C9(0.25)9(0.75)10−9
 10−10
+10C10(0.25)10(0.75)
= 1.703 ≈ 2
(ii) number of candidates answering 2 or less questions correctly is,
4096 p(X ≤ 2) = 4096 [(p(0) + p(1) + p(2)]
0 10−0
= 4096 10C0(0.25) (0.75) + 10C1(0.25)1(0.75)10−1
10−2
+10C2(0.25)2(0.75)
= 2152.8 ≈ 2153
i.e. No. of students correctly answering 2 or less than 2 questions is 2153.
(iii) number of candidates answering 5 questions correctly is,
5 10−5
4096 p(5) = 4096 10C5(0.25) (0.75)
= 239.2 ≈ 239
i.e. Number of students correctly answering 5 questions is 239.

1.13 Exponential distribution

The continuous probability distribution having the probability density function f(x)
given by

f(x) = 0 otherwise , where α > 0

( −αx
αe for x ≥ 0
is known as the exponential distribution.
Mean and Variance of this distribution is given by
1 2 1 2
Mean(µ) = α ; Variance(σ )= α
Problem 1.13.1. If x is an exponential variate with mean 3 find (i) P (x > 1)
(ii) P (x < 3)

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
50

Solution: The p.d.f of the exponential distribution is given by

( −αx
αe , 0 < x < ∞
AJIE
T f(x) = 0 otherwise
The mean of this distribution is given
by 1α By data, miean = 1α= 3 ∴ α = 13 (
 1
−x/3 (i)
3e ,0<x<∞
0, otherwise Hence f(x) =

P (x > 1) = 1 − P (x ≤ 1) Z 1
=1−
0 1
Z −x3
=1− 1 3e
f(x)dx
dx
0 h
1
e−x3i 0 = e−13 = 0.7165 = 1 + Z 3
(ii)
P (x < 3)0 −x3
Z3 3e dx
== f(x)dx

1
0
3 1
=− e−x3i 0= 1 − e=
h 0.6321
Problem 1.13.2. In a certain town, duration of a shower is exponentially
distributed with mean 5 minutes. What is the probability that the shower will
last for (i) 10 minutes or more (ii) less than 10 minutes (iii) Between 10 and
12 minutes [VTU June 2019, Jan 2014, July 2013]

Solution: The p.d.f of the exponential distribution is given by f(x) = αe−αx, x >
0 and the mean is = 1α
By data, 1α= 5 ∴ α = 15
Hence f(x) = 15e−x5

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
51

Z∞
(i) 1
AJIE
h
T
P (x ≥ 10) = 10 e−x5 dx e−x i

=−
5 5 ∞

10
 0.1353 Z 10
(ii) 1
−2
= −0 − e = e−2 =

P (x < 10) = 0
5e−x5 dx e−x5i10
h
=−
0
1
P (10 < x < 12) = 10
h
(iii) −x5 −x
5e dx e 5i12
= −e−2 − 1 = 1 − e−2
= 0.8647

Z 12
=−= e−125 −
− 10
−2
e

= 0.0446

Problem 1.13.3. The length of telephone conversations in a booth follows

exponen tial distribution. If the average telephone conversation is 5 minutes,
what is the probability that a a random call made from the booth (i) ends
less than 5 minutes (ii)between 5 and 10 minutes? [VTU Model 2020, Jan
2020, Jan 2018]

Solution: We have f(x) = αe−αx, x > 0; Mean = 1α

By data, 1α= 5 ⇒ α = 15
Hence f(x) = 15e−x5 is the p.d.f.
(i) −x5
Z5 Z5 5e dx
P (x < 5) f(x)dx =
= 1
0
−x 5 1
=− e 5i 0= 1 − e=

0 0.6321
h
 Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore
Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 52 Z 10

P (5 < x < 10) = f(x)dx

AJI
ET 5

Z 10 1
=
 −x5
5e dx
5 h i10 5
−x/5
e
=−
1 1 2
= e− e = 0.2325

Problem 1.13.4. The length of a telephone conversation has been

exponentially dis tributed with mean of 2 minutes. Find the probability that a
call (i) ends in more than 3 minutes (ii) ends in less than 4 minutes and (iii)
takes between 3 and 5 minutes

Solution: For Exponential distribution,

1 1
µ = α= 2, ⇒ α = 2
Probability density (1
−x2
2e , for x ≥ 0 0, for x < 0
function is f(x) =

(i) The probability that the conversation may last for more than 3
minutes is, Z ∞
P (X > 3) = f(x)dx
3
e−x2i∞
=− −32
3= e = 0.2231
h
(ii) The probability that the conservation may last for less than 4
minutes is, Z 4
P (X < 4) = f(x)dx

−∞

1
= 2Z 4 e−x2 dx
0

= − e−x2 40= 1 − e−2 = 0.8647

(iii) The probability that the conservation may last between 3 and 5
minutes Z 5
P (3 < X < 5) = f(x)dx
3

= − e−x2 5
3

= −e−52 + e−32 = 0.1410

 Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore
Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
53

Problem 1.13.5. The daily turn over in a medical shop is exponentially

distributed

AJI
 ET
with Rs.6000 as the average with a net profit of 8%. Find the probability that
the net profit exceeds Rs. 500 on a randomly chosen day.

Solution: Let x denote the random variable denoting the turn over
1
per day. Given α= 6000 ⇒ α =1
6000
Let A be the turn over in rupees for which the net profit is Rs. 500. Given
that net profit is 8% of the turn over.
Hence we have
8

100× A = 500 ⇒ A = 6250

i.e To get net profit as Rs. 500 the required turn over 6250
rupees. Since the profit exceeds Rs. 500 the turn over has to
exceed Rs.6250. Hence the probability that the net profit
exceeds Rs. 500 is given by
P (x > 6250) = 1 − P (x ≤ 6250)
 Z 6250
= 1 − = 1 Z 6250 0 −1
6000e
− p(x)dx

1 x
dx
6000
0

= 0.353

Problem 1.13.6. The sales per day in a shop is exponentially distributed

with the average sale amounting. to Rs. 100 and net profit is 8%. Find the
probability that the net profit exceeds Rs. 30 on two consecutive days.

Solution : Let x be the random variable of the sale in the shop. since x is an
exponential variate the p.d.f f(x) = αe−αx, x > 0
Mean = 1/α = 100 ∴ α = 1/100 = 0.01
Hence f(x) = 0.01e−0.01x, x > 0
Let A be the amount of sale for which profit is Rs 30. Given that profit rate
8
is 8%. ⇒ A × 100= 30 ∴ A = 375

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
54

Probability of profit exceeding Rs.30 is equal to

AJIE
T
P (Profit > Rs.30) = 1- Prob (profit ≤ Rs.30)
= 1 − Prob (sales ≤ Rs.375)
 =1− (0.01)e−0.
Z 375 0 01x
dx

−0.01x
=1+ e 375
e−3.75 0=
Probability of profit exceeding Rs.30 on a single day is e−3.75
For two consecutive days, Probability of profit exceeding Rs.30 is,
e−3.75×e−3.75 = 0.00055

1.14 Normal (Gaussian) Distribution

The PDF of Normal distribution is

P (x) = 1
√ −(x−µ)
σ 2πe 2

2σ
2
,−∞<x<∞
Mean = µ
Variance = σ2
Standard Deviation = σ

Normal curve

The normal curve is a bell-shaped curve symmetric about the line x = µ as

shown in the following figure.

The line x = µ divides the total area under the curve which is equal to 1 into
two equal parts. The area to the right as well as to the left of the line x = µ is
0.5

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
55
The pdf of Standard normal distribution is in the form :

f(z) = 1

AJ
 IET √ −z22
2πe , − ∞ < z < ∞
The standard normal curve is a bell-shaped curve symmetric about y-axis.
Its mean is 0 and variance is 1.

For standardizing a Normal Random Variable, we use

z =x − µ
σ
The two tails of the standard normal probability distribution extend
indefinitely and never touch the horizontal axis. The total area under this
 curve from z = −∞ to ∞ is 1 unit.
By symmetry,
the area under the standard normal curve (from z = −∞ to z = 0)= 0.5
and Area from (z = 0 to z = ∞)=0.5
Evaluation of Probability in Normal Distribution :
In the case of b) = 1 Z ba
normal distribution
e−(x−µ)2/2σ2dx
we have, P (a ≤ x ≤ √
σ 2π
This integral cannot be evaluated by known methods of integration and we
have to employ the technique of numerical integration which becomes
tedious. Hence we think of standardization and the same.
To find any given probability of Normal random variable X, we convert X to Stan
dard Normal Hence P (a ≤ x ≤ b) σ ≤ z ≤ b−µ σ
variable z using z can be written as P
=x−µ σ
a−µ

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
56

If a−µ
σ= z1 and b−µ
σ= z2, then
AJIE
T
P (a < X < b)

= P (z1 ≤ z ≤ z2)
= Area from z = z1 to z = z2 under standard normal curve
 = Area from (z = 0 to z = z2) − Area from (z = 0 to z = z1)
(under standard normal curve)
= A (z2) − A (z1) (provided both z1 and z2 are > 0)
For A(z) we use the Standard Normal table which gives Areas under the curve from
0 to z. Z z0 √ −z22
2πe dz
1
A(z) =
represents the area under the standard normal curve from z = 0 to z

Key points of Normal Distribution

• z =x−µ
σ

• P (−∞ < x < ∞) = P (−∞ < z < ∞) = 1

• P (z ≤ 0) = A(−∞, 0) = A(0, ∞) = 0.5

• A(z) is the area of the curve area under the standard normal curve from
z = 0 to z.

Problem 39. If X is a normal variate with mean 80 and S.D 10. Compute P
(X ≤ 100).

Solution : We know Z = X−µ

σ
100−80
When X = 100, Z =
10 = 2

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
57

∴ P (X ≤ 100) = P (Z ≤ 2)
AJI
 ET
= P (−∞ < Z < 0) + P (0 < Z < 2)
= 0.5 + 0.4772( from table )
= 0.9772
Problem 40. If X is normally distributed with mean 6 and standard deviation
5. Find P(0 ≤ X ≤ 8)

Solution :
P(0 ≤ X ≤ 8) = P(−1.2 ≤ Z ≤ 0.4)
= P(−1.2 ≤ Z ≤ 0) + P(0 ≤ Z ≤ 0.4)
= P(0 ≤ Z ≤ 1.2) + P(0 ≤ Z ≤ 0.4)
(by symmetry)
= 0.3849 + 0.1554 (from the table)
= 0.5403
Problem 41. When X is normally distributed with mean 12, standard
deviation is 4. Find (i) P(X ≥ 20) (ii) P (0 < X < 12) (iii) P (X ≤ 20)

Solution : Given: Mean = µ = 12, S.D = σ = 4

We know Z = X−µ
σ
(i)
P (X ≥ 20) = P (Z ≥ 2)
= P (0 ≤ Z ≤ ∞) − P (0 ≤ Z ≤ 2)
= 0.5 − 0.4772 = 0.0228

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
58

(ii)
AJIE
P(0 < X < 12) = P(−3 < Z < 0)
T
= P (0 < Z < 3) = 0.4987
P(X ≤ 20) = P(Z ≤ 2)
= P(−∞ < Z < 0) + P(0 < Z < 2)
= 0.5 + 0.4772 = 0.9772

Problem 42. For the normal distribution with mean 2 and standard deviation
4, evaluate the following probabilities (i) P (X ≥ 5) (ii) P (|X| < 4) (iii) P (|X| >
3)

Solution : (i) P (X ≥ 5) when X = 5, z = 5−2

3
4= 4= 0.75
P (X ≥ 5) = P (z ≥ 0.75)
= 0.5 − P (0 < z < 0.75)
= 0.5 − 0.2734
= 0.2266

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 59 P (|X| < 4) =

P (−4 < X < 4)

−4 − µ
AJI
ET σ<X − µ

=P

σ<4 − µ
=P
−4 − 2 σ
(ii) 4< Z <4 − 2
4

= P (−1.5 < z < 0.5) = Area(−1.5 to 0.5)

= Area(−1.5 to 0) + Area(0 to 0.5)
= Area(0 to 1.5) + Area(0 to 0.5)
= 0.4332 + 0.1915 = 0.6247

(iii)
P (|X| > 3) = 1 − P (|X| ≤ 3)
= 1 − P (−3 ≤ X ≤ 3)
= 1 − P (−3 ≤ X ≤ 3)

=1−P σ≤X − µ
−3 − µ
σ≤3 − µ
−24
=1−P
4≤ Z ≤3 σ
−3 − 2

= 1 − P (−1.25 ≤ Z ≤ 0.25)
= 1 − Area(−1.25 to 0.25)
= 1 − [Area(−1.25 to 0) + Area(0 to 0.25)]
= 1 − [Area(0 to 1.25) + Area(0 to 0.25)]
= 1 − [0.3944 + 0.0987] = 0.5069

Problem 43. In a test on electric bulbs, it was found that the life time of a
particular brand distributed normally with an average life of 2000 hours and
S.D. of 60 hours. If a firm purchases 2500 bulbs find the number of bulbs
that are likely to last for

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
60

(i) more than 2100 hours (ii) less than 1950 hours (iii) between 1900 to
2100 hours

AJI
 ET
[VTU: July 2023, Model 2020, June/July 17]

Solution : By data µ = 2000, σ = 60

We have standard normal variable, z =x−µ
x−2000
σ=
60
(i) To find P (x > 2100) If x = 2100, z = 100/60 ≈ 1.67

P (x > 2100) = P (z > 1.67)

= P (z ≥ 0) − P (0 < z < 1.67)
= 0.5 − ϕ(1.67)
= 0.5 − 0.4525 = 0.0475
Hence number of bulbs that are likely to last for more than 2100
hours is 2500 × 0.0475 = 118.75 = 119
(ii) To find P (x < 1950)
If x = 1950, z = − 5/6 = −0.83
 P (x < 1950) = P (z < −0.83)
= P (z > 0.83)
= P (z ≥ 0) − P (0 < z < 0.83)
= 0.5 − ϕ(0.83)
= 0.5 − 0.2967 = 0.2033
Hence number of bulbs that are likely to last for less than 1950
hours is 2500 × 0.2033 ≈ 508
(iii) To find P (1900 < x < 2100) If x = 1900, z = −1.67 and if x = 2100, z =
1.67
P (1900 < x < 2100) = P (−1.67 < z < 1.67)
= 2P (0 < z < 1.67)
= 2ϕ(1.67) = 2 × 0.4525 = 0.905
Hence number number of bulbs that are likely to last between 1900 and
2100 hours = 2500 × 0.905 = 2262.5 ≈ 2263

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
61

Problem 44. The marks of 1000 students in an examination follows a

normal
AJI
 ET
distribution with mean 70 and standard deviation of 5. Find the expected no.
of students, whose marks will be (i)less than 65 (ii) more than 75
(iii)Between 65 and 75. Given (A(z=1)= 0.3413) [VTU August 2021, Model
2020, Jan 2014, Dec 2010]

Solution : Let x represent the marks of students. By data µ = 70, σ

= 5 Hence standard Normal variable is z =x−µ
x−70
σ=
5
(i) If x = 65, z = −1 and we have to find P (z < −1)
P (z < −1) = P (z > 1)
= P (z ≥ 0) − P (0 < z < 1)
= 0.5 − A(1) = 0.5 − 0.3413 = 0.1587
Number of students scoring less than 65 marks = 1000×0.1587 = 158.7 ≈
159 (ii) If x = 75, z = 1 and we have to find P (z > 1)
P (z > 1) = P (z ≥ 0) − P (0 < z < 1)
 = 0.5 − A(1) = 0.5 − 0.3413 = 0.1587
∴ the number of students scoring more than 75 marks = 1000 × 0.1587 =
158.7 ≈ 159
(iii) We have to find P (−1 < z < 1)
p(−1 < z < 1) = 2p(0 < z < 1)
= 2A(1) = 2(0, 343) = 0.6836
∴ number of students scoring marks between 65 and 75 = 1000 × 0.6826 =
682.6 ≈ 683

Problem 45. In a test on 2000 electric bulbs, it was found that the life of a
particular make was normally distributed with an average life of 2040 hours
and SD of 60 hours. Estimate the number of bulbs likely to burn for (i) More
than 2150 hours (ii) Less than 1950 hours (iii) More than 1920 hours but
less than 2160 hours. Given A(1.5) = 0.4332, A(1.83) = 0.4664, A(2) =
0.4772 [VTU: Dec 2018, Dec14/ Jan 15]

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 62 Solution : (i)

p(More than 2150 hours) is,

X−µ

σ>2150 − µ
AJIE
T
p(X > 2150) = p

= p(Z > 1.833)

σ
 = Area(0 to ∞) − Area(0 to 1.833)
= 0.5 − 0.4664 = 0.0336
Thus number of bulbs likely to burn for more than 2150 hours = 2000 ×
0.0336 ≈ 67 (ii)P(bulb likely to burn for Less than 1950 hours) is
p(X < 1950) = X − µ
p
σ<1950 − µ σ

= p(Z < −1.5)

= Area(−∞ to − 1.5)
= Area(1.5 to ∞)
= Area(0 to ∞) − Area(0 to 1.5)
= 0.5 − 0.4332 = 0.0668
Thus number of bulbs likely to burn for Less than 1950 hours = 2000 ×
0.0668 ≈ 134
(iii) P(bulb likely to burn for more than 1920 hours but less than 2160 hours) is,
p(1920 < X < 2160) = p σ<2160 − µ
1920 − µ σ

σ<X − µ
= p(−2 < z < 2)
= 2 × Area(0 to 2)
= 2 × 0.4772 = 0.9544
Thus number of bulbs likely to burn for more than 1920 hours but less than
2160 hours = 2000 × 0.9544 = 1909

Problem 46. In a normal distribution 31% of items are under 45 and 8% of

the items are over 64. Find the mean and S.D. of the distribution. [VTU: July
2023, Dec/ Jan 2016, Dec 2012, 2009]

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
63
Solution : Let µ and σ be the mean and S.D of the normal distribution By
data

AJI
 ET
P (x < 45) = 0.31 and P (x > 64) = 0.08
Now 0.31 ⇒ P
= 0.31
P (x < 45) = z <45 − µ σ

⇒ Area ⇒ Area ⇒ 0.5 −

Area
µ − 45
−∞ to45 − µ
σ 0 toµ − 45 σ
σto ∞
= 0.31 = 0.31
= 0.31
µ − 45 σ = 0.5 − 0.31
= 0.19
⇒A

(But 0.19 ≈ A(0.5))

 µ − 45

⇒ σ = 0.5

⇒ µ − 45 = 0.5σ
⇒ µ − 0.5σ = 45 (∗)

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 64
AJI
ET
 = 0.08
P (x > 64) = z >64 − µ σ
0.08 ⇒ P
= 0.08
⇒ Area
σto ∞
64 − µ
− Area
⇒ Area(0 to ∞) = 0.08
0 to64 − µ σ
= 0.08
⇒ 0.5 − A = 0.5 −
0.08 =
64 − µ σ ⇒ A
0.42
64 − µ σ

(But 0.42 ≈ A(1.4))

⇒64 − µ

σ= 1.4

⇒ 64 − µ = 1.4σ
⇒ µ + 1.4σ = 64 (∗∗)
Now we have two equations with two unknowns. They are
µ − 0.5σ = 45 (∗)
and
µ + 1.4σ = 64 (∗∗),
Solving these two, we get µ = 50, σ = 10

Problem 47. In an examination, 7% of students score less than 35% marks

and 89% of students score less than 60% marks. Find the mean and
standard deviation, if the marks are normally distributed. It is given that P (0
< z < 1.23) = 0.39 and P (0 < z < 1.48 = 0.43) [Jan 2020, VTU Jan 2012]

Solution : Let µ and σ be the mean and S.D of the normal

distribution. By data we have P (x < 35) = 0.07, P (x < 60) = 0.89
We have z =x−µ
σ

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
65
When x = 35, z =35−µ
σ= z1(say)

AJIE
T
When x = 60, z =60−µ
σ= z2(say)
Hence we have
P (x < 35) = 0.07 ⇒ P (z < z1) = 0.07
⇒ Area(−∞ to z1) = 0.07
⇒ Area(−z1 to ∞) = 0.07
⇒ 0.5 − A(−z1) = 0.07
⇒ A(−z1) = 0.5 − 0.07 = 0.43
(But 0.43 ≈ A(1.48))
⇒ −z1 = 1.48

⇒ −35 − µ

σ= 1.48
⇒ µ − 1.48σ = 35 (∗)
P (x < 60) = 0.89 ⇒ P (z < z2) = 0.89
⇒ Area(−∞ to z2) = 0.89
⇒ Area(−∞ to 0) + Area(0 to z2) = 0.89
(Here the area measured from − ∞ to z2 is more than 0.5)
(Hence z2 lies right to y axis)
⇒ 0.5 + A(Z2) = 0.89
⇒ A(z2) = 0.89 − 0.5 = 0.39
(But 0.39 ≈ A(1.23))
⇒ z2 = 1.23

⇒60 − µ

σ= 1.23
⇒ µ + 1.23σ = 60 (∗∗)
Solving,
µ − 1.48σ = 35 (∗)
and

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
66
µ + 1.23σ = 60 (∗∗)

AJIE
T
we get µ = 48.65 and σ = 9.23
 1.15 Question Bank

Random Variables

1. The pdf of the random variable x is given by the following table.

x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
P(x K 2k 3k 4k 3k 2k k
)

Find (i) k (ii) P (X ≤ 1) (iii) P (X > 1) (iv) P (−1 < X < 2) (v) Mean of X
(vi) SD of X
[VTU: Dec/ Jan 16, July 2013]
q
Ans : k = 116,13
3 9
16, 16, 16, 0,
5
2

2. A random variable x has the following distribution. Find k, SD and mean of

the distribution.
x -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
P(x 0. 0. k 0. 2k k k
) 1 1 1

Find the value of k and calculate mean and Standard Deviation. [VTU:
June/ July 15, Dec 2012, 2004]

3. The probability density function of a variate x is,

x −2 −1 0 1 2 3
P (X) 0.1 k 0.2 2k 0.3 k

Find k, Mean, Variance, SD [VTU July 2023, Model 2020, 2004] Ans :
0.1, 0.8, 2.16, 1.47

4. A random variable X takes the values −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3 such

that P (X = 0) = P (X < 0) and
P (X = −3) = P (X = −2) = P (X = −1)=

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 67

P (X = 1) = P (X = 2)=P (X = 3). Find the probability distribution.

AJI
 ET [VTU July 2017]

9
Ans : 9
X -3 9
9
9
P(x 1
1
)

5. The probability density function of a random variable X is

X 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 (i) Find P (X < 4), P (X ≥ 5),

p(X) : k 3k 5k 7k 9k 11k 1

P (3 < X ≤ 6) [VTU July 2013, 2010] 49,24

33
49,
49 6. The probability density function of
a random variable X is
Ans : 16
Dec 2018]
X 0 1 2 3 4 5
(i) Find k (ii) P (3 < x <≤ 5) [VTU
p(X) : k 3k 5k 7k 9k 11k

7. A random variable X has the following probability density function.

x: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
p(x) : 0 k 2k 2k 3k k2 2k2 7k2 + k

(i) Find the value of k (ii) Evaluate P (X < 3), P (X ≥ 6) (iii) P (3 < X ≤
6) [July 2023, Jan 2020, VTU Jan 2014] Ans : 310,19
100,

8. The probability density p(x) of a continuous random variable is given by

p(x) = y0e−|x|, −∞ < x < ∞. Prove that y0 = 12. Find the mean and
variance of the distribution. [vtu Dec 2012, 2004]
Ans : 12, µ = 0, σ2 = 2
9. The probability density p(x) of a continuous random variable is given by
p(x) = y0e−|x|, −10 < x < ∞. Find y0. Also find the mean. [VTU Jan 2015]

10. The frequency function of a continuous random variable is given by

f(x) = y0 x(2 − x), 0 ≤ x ≤ 2. Find the value of y0, mean and variance of
X.

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
68
2(x
+ 1), −1 <
 x<1
1
AJIE

T
11. If f(x) = 0, elsewhere
represents the density
function of a

random variable X, Find E(X) and V ar(X)

12. Is the function defined by f(x) = e−x, x > 0, f(x) = 0, x < 0 is a
density function?
(i) If so, determine the probability that the variate having this density
will fall in the interval (1,2).
(ii) Also, find the cumulative probability function F(2) [VTU July 2017]
f(x) =  elsewhere
 2
13. Find the constant k kx 0≤x≤30 is a
such that the function

p.d.f. Also find (i) P (1 < X < 2) (ii) P (X ≤ 1) (iii) P (X > 1) (iv) Mean
(v) Variance [VTU Jan 2018] Ans : k = 19, (i) 727, (ii) 127, (iii)26
27, (iv)
4, (v) 27
9
80 such that the function elsewhere
p(x) = 
 is a
cx2 0 ≤ x ≤ 3 0
14. Find the constant ‘c’

p.d.f. Also find (i) P (1 < X < 2) (ii) P (X ≤ 1) (iii) P (X > 1) [VTU Model
2020, Jan 2018]

15. Suppose a random variable X takes the values -3, -1, 2 and 5 with
respective probabilities 2k−3
k−2
10 ,
k−1
10 ,
k+1
10 ,

10 .
Find the value of k and (i)
P (−3 < X < 4) (ii) P (X ≤ 2)
[VTU June 2010]

16. The probability density function of a variate x is,

x −2 −1 0 1 2 3
P (X) 0.1 k 0.2 2k 0.3 k
Find k, Mean, Variance, SD [VTU Model 2020, 2004] Dr. Shantha Kumari K

AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 69

17. The probability distribution of a random variable X is given by the

following

AJI
 ET
X (= xi) 0 1 2 3 4 5

P (X) k 5k 10k 10k 5k k

table:Find (i) the value of k (ii) P (x ≤ 1) ( iii) P (0 ≤ x < 3) [VTU Model

2020] 18. A random variable x has the following density function

P (x) = kx2, −3 ≤ x ≤ 3 0 2) (ii)

 elsewhere Evaluate k and

find (i) P (1 ≤ x ≤

P (x ≤ 2) (iii) P (x > 1) [VTU Model 2020]

19. If the random variable X takes the values 1, 2, 3 and 4 such that 2P
(X = 1) = 3P (X = 2) = P (X = 3) = 5P (X = 4). find the probability
distribution function and cumulative distribution function of X.
 20. A coin is tossed twice. A random variable X represent the number of
heads turning up. Find the discrete probability distribution for X. Also find
its mean and variance. Ans : Mean = 1 and Variance = 12

21. A random variable X has p(x) = 2−x, x = 1, 2, 3 · · · Show that p(x) is a

probability function. Also find p(X even ), p(X being divisible by 3 ) and p(X
≥ 5) Ans : 13,17, = 116

22. The total number of hours, measured in units of 100 hours, that a
family runs a vacuum cleaner over a period of one year is a continuous
random variable X
that has the f(x) = x, 0 < x < 1, 2 −
x, 1 ≤ x < 2, 0,
density function  elsewhere



Find the probability that over a period of one year, a family runs their
vacuum cleaner (a) less than 120 hours; (b) between 50 and 100
hours.
(c) Find the average number of hours per year that families run their
vacuum cleaners. Ans : (a)0.68; (b)0.375, (c)100

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
70
density function
√
23. Consider the  k x, 0 < x < 1,
AJIE
T f(x) =

0,
elsewher
e

use it to evaluate P (0.3 < X < 0.6).

(a) Evaluate k. (b) Find F(x) and
 √
0 x, x < 0,


x32 , 0 ≤ x < 1 1, x ≥ 1
Ans : (a)3/2; (b)F(x)

= 
24. The random variable X, representing the number of errors per 100
lines of software code, has the following probability distribution:
x23456
f(x) 0.01 0.25 0.4 0.3 0.04
find the variance of X. Ans : 0.74

Binomial, Poisson Distributions

1. Derive the expressions for mean and variance of binomial distribution.

[VTU July 2023, Dec 2018, Jan 2018, July 2017, Jan 2015, Dec 2012, June
2012]

2. The probability of germination of a seed in a packet of seeds is found to

be 0.7. If 10 seeds are taken for experimenting on germination in a
laboratory, find the probability that (i) 8 seeds germinate (ii) at least 8 seeds
germinate (iii) at most 8 seeds germinate. [ VTU Model 2020] Ans : 0.2335,
0.3828, 0.8507

3. Obtain the Mean and variance of the Poisson distribution. [VTU :July
2023, Jan 2020, June 2019, July 2017, Dec/ Jan 14]

4. The probability that a pen manufactured by a factory be defective is 1/10.

If 12 such pens are manufactured, what is the probability that (i) exactly 2
are defective (ii) at least 2 are defective (iii) none of them are defective.
[VTU :Jan 2020, July 2017, Dec/ Jan 16, , Dec 2012, 2004] Ans : 0.2301,
0.341, 0.2824

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Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
71

5. In a certain factory turning out razar blades there is a small probability

of 1/500
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for any blade to be defective. The blades are supplied in packets of 10.
Use poisson distribution to calculate the approximate number of packets
containing (i) One defective (ii) Two defective, in a consignment of 1000
packets [VTU:Model 2020, Dec/ Jan 16, 2004]

Ans : 9802, 196, 2

6. The probability that a bomb dropped hits the target is 0.2, find the
probability that out of 6 bombs dropped (i) Exactly two will hit the target
(ii) Atleast two will hit the target [VTU:June/ July 15] Ans : 0.2458, 0.3446

7. A certain screw making machine produces on average two defective

out of 100 and packs them in boxes of 500 . Find the probability that
the box contains i) three defective
ii) At least one defective
iii) between 2 and 4 defective. [VTU: Feb 2021] Ans : 0.2277.0.0198,
 0.057

8. A die is tossed thrice. A success is ‘getting 1 or 6’ on a toss. Find the

mean and variance of the number of successes. [VTU Dec 2011] Ans :
Mean = 1, Variance= 2/3

9. A die is thrown 8 times. Find the probability that 3 falls (i) Exactly two
times (ii) At least once (iii) At the most 7 times [VTU July 2013] Ans :
0.2605, 0.7674, 0.9999 ≈ 1

10. In sampling a large no. of parts manufactured by a machine, the mean

number of defectives in a sample of 20 is 2. Out of 1000 such samples,
how many would be expected to contain atleast 3 defective parts.? [VTU
June 2019, 2004] Ans : 323

11. Out of 800 families of 5 children each, how many would you expect to
have (a) 3 Boys (b) 5 Girls (c) either 2 or 3 boys ? (d) atmost 2 girls ?
Assume equal probabilities for Boys and Girls.

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Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
72

[VTU August 2022, August 2021, 2004]

AJIE
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12. In a bombing action, there are 50% chance that any bomb will strike the
 target. Two direct hits are required to destroy the target completely. How
many bombs are required to be dropped to give a 99% chance or better
of completely destroying the target? [VTU 2003]

13. If the probability of a bad reaction from certain injection is 0.001,

determine the chance that out of 200 individuals more than two will get a bad
reaction. [VTU July 2023, Jan 2018, 2008] Ans : 0.32

14. The probability that an individual suffers a bad reaction from a certain
injection is 0.001. Using Poisson distribution, determine the probability
that out of 2000 individuals: (i) Exactly 3 and (ii) More than 2 , will suffer
a bad reaction. [VTU July 2023, June 2012]

15. If a random variable has Poisson Distribution such that p(1) = p(2), find
(i) Mean of the Distribution (ii) P (4) [VTU 2003]

16. If 10% of rivets produced by a machine are defective. Find the probability
that, out of 12 such rivets, (i)exactly 2 are defective (ii) at least 2 are
defective (iii) none of them are defective. [VTU July 2013]

17. Given that 2% of fuses manufactured by a firm are defective, find by

using Poisson distribution, the probability that a box containing 200 fuses
has (i) no defective fuses (ii) 3 or more defective fuses (iii) At least one
defective fuse [VTU August 2022,, Dec 2018, Dec 2010] Ans : 0.0183,
0.76189, 0.9817

18. Suppose 300 misprints are randomly distributed throughout a book of

500 pages, find the probability that a given page contains (i) exactly three
misprints (ii) less than three misprints and (iii) four or more misprints.
[VTU Model 2020] Ans : 0.0198, 0.9768, 0.0034

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73

19. If 20% bolts produced by a machine are defective. Calculate the

probability that
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out of 7 randomly selected bolts not more than 1 is defective, atmost two
are defective? [VTU August 2021]
20. In a poisson distribution if P (x = 3) = P (x = 2) find P (x = 0) Ans : 0.0497

21. If X is a poisson variable with P (X = 2) = 23P (X = 1), find P (X = 3) and P

(X = 0) Ans : 0.1041, 0.2635

22. A car hire -firm has two cars which it hires out on a day to day basis. The
number of demands for a car is known to be Poisson distribution with
mean 1.5 Find the probability of day on which (i) There is no demand for
the car and (ii) The demand is rejected. Ans : 0.2231, 0.1912

23. The number of accidents in a year to taxi drivers in a city follows a

Poisson distribution with mean 3. Out of 1000 taxi drivers find approximately
the number of the drivers with“ (i) no accident in a year (ii) more than 3
accidents in a year. (VTU July 2023) Ans : 50, 350

24. The probability that a man aged 60 will live up to 70 is 0.65. What is the
probability that out of 10 men, now 60, at least 7 will live to be 70? (VTU
July 2023)

Ans : 0.51383

25. If the mean and standard deviation of the number of correctly answered
√
questions in a test given to 4096 students are 2.5 and 1.875. Find an
estimate of the number of candidates answering correctly (i) 8 or more
questions (ii) 2 or less (iii) 5 questions. Ans : 1.703 ≈ 2, 2152.8 ≈ 2153,
239.2 ≈ 239

26. In a quiz contest of answering ’Yes’ or ’No’, what is the probability of

guessing atleast 6 answers correctly out of 10 questions asked? Also find
the probability of the same if there are 4 options for a correct answer? (VTU
July 2023)

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page 74

Ans : 0.377, 0.0197

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27. The probability that a news reader commits no mistake in reading the
3
news is 1e . Find the probability that on a particular news broadcast he
commits (i) Only 2
 mistakes (ii) more than 3 mistakes (iii) atmost 3 mistakes, assuming that
mistakes follow Poisson distribution. (VTU 2023) Ans : λ = 3, 0.2240,
0.3528, 0.6472

28. The number of telephone lines busy at an instant of time is a binomial

variate with probability 0.1 that a line is busy. If 10 lines are chosen at
random, what is the probability that, (i) no line is busy (ii) all lines are busy
(iii) at least one line is busy (iv) Atmost 2 lines are busy. (VTU 2023) Ans :
0.3487, (0.1)10, 0.6513, 0.9298

Exponential and Normal Distributions

1. In a certain town, duration of a shower is exponentially distributed with

mean 5 minutes. What is the probability that the shower will last for (i)
10 minutes or more (ii) less than 10 minutes (iii) Between 10 and 12
minutes [VTU August 2021, Model 2020, June 2019, Jan 2014, July
2013]

2. If X is an exponential variate with mean 4, evaluate (i) P (0 < X < 1) (ii)

P (X > 2) and (iii) P (−∞ < X < 10 [VTU Dec 2012]

3. If x is an exponential variate with mean 3 find (i) P (x > 1) (ii) P (x < 3)

4. The length of telephone conversations in a booth follows exponential

distribution. If the average telephone conversation is 5 minutes, what is
the probability that a a random call made from the booth (i) ends less
than 5 minutes (ii)between 5 and 10 minutes? [VTU Model 2020, Jan
2020, Jan 2018]

5. At a certain city bus stop three buses arrive per hour on an average.
Assuming that the time between successive arrivals is exponentially
distributed, find the

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore

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75

probability that the time between the arrival of successive buses is (i)
less than
AJI
 ET 10 minutes and (ii) at least 30 minutes Ans: 0.3935, 0.2231

6. The length of a telephone conversation has been exponentially

distributed with mean of 2 minutes. Find the probability that a call (i)
ends in more than 3 minutes (ii) ends in less than 4 minutes and (iii)
takes between 3 and 5 minutes Ans: 0.6321, 0.179

7. The length of a telephone conversation has been exponentially

distribution with mean of 3 minutes. Find the probability that a call (i)
ends in more than 1 minutes and (ii) takes less than 3 minutes. Ans:
0.71655, 0.63212

8. The daily turn over in a medical shop is exponentially distributed with

Rs.6000 as the average with a net profit of 8%. Find the probability
that the net profit exceeds Rs. 500 on a randomly chosen day.

9. The sales per day in a shop is exponentially distributed with the

 average sale amounting. to Rs. 100 and net profit is 8%. Find the
probability that the net profit exceeds Rs. 30 on two consecutive
days.

10. X is a normal variate with mean 30 and S.D, 5, find the probabilities
that (i) 26 ≤ X ≤ 40 (ii) X ≥ 45 and (iii) |X − 30| > 5 [VTU August 2022,
June 2019]

Ans : 0.7653, 0.0014, 0.3174

11. If X is a normal variate with mean 80 and S.D 10. Compute P (X ≤

100). Ans :
0.9772

12. In a test on electric bulbs, it was found that the life time of a particular
brand distributed normally with an average life of 2000 hours and S.D. of
60 hours if a firm purchases 2500 bulbs had the member of bulbs that are
likely to last for (i) more than 2100 hours (ii) less than 1950 hours (iii)
between 1900 to 2100 hours [VTU Model 2020, June/July 17]

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Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
76

13. In a normal distribution 31% of items are under 45 and 8% of the

items are
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over 64. Find the mean and S.D. of the distribution. [VTU: Dec/ Jan
2016, Dec 2012, 2009] Ans : 50 and 10

14. In a test on 2000 electric bulbs, it was found that the life of a
particular make was normally distributed with an average life of 2040
hours and SD of 60 hours. Estimate the number of bulbs likely to burn for
(i) More than 2150
hours (ii) Less than 1950 hours (iii) More than 1920 hours but less than
2160 hours. Given A(1.5) = 0.4332, A(1.83) = 0.4664, A(2) = 0.4772
[VTU: Dec 2018, Dec14/ Jan 15]

Ans : 0.0336 ∗ 2000 = 67, 0.0918 ∗ 2000 = 184,

0.9544 ∗ 2000 = 1909

15. The life of an electric bulb is normally distributed with mean life of 200
hours and S.D. of 60 hours. Out of 2500 bulbs, find the number of
 bulbs which are likely to last between 1900 and 2100 hours. Given
that
P (0 < Z < 1.67) = 0.4525 [VTU Dec 2018, July 2017, Jan 2014]

16. The marks of 1000 students in an examination follows a normal

distribution with mean 70 and standard deviation of 5. Find the
expected no. of students, whose marks will be (i)less than 65 (ii) more
than 75 (iii)Between 65 and 75. Given (A(z=1)= 0.3413) [VTU August
2021, Model 2020, Jan 2014, Dec 2010]

Ans : 159.159, 683

17. 200 students appeared in an examination, distribution of marks is

assumed to be normal with mean = µ = 30, S.D.=σ = 6.25. How many
students are expected to get marks (i) between 20 and 40 (ii) less than 35
[VTU July 2013]

18. In an examination, 7% of students score less than 35% marks and

89% of students score less than 60% marks. Find the mean and
standard deviation, if the marks are normally distributed. It is given
that

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Lecture Notes - BCS301 : Mathematics for Computer Science - Module 1 : Probability Distributions Page
77

P (0 < z < 1.2263) = 0.39 and P (0 < z < 1.4757 = 0.43) [Jan
AJI
 ET2020, VTU Jan 2012]

19. The weekly wages of workers in a company are normally distributed

with mean of Rs. 700/- and standard deviation of Rs. 50. Find the
probability that the weekly wage of a randomly chosen worker is (i) Rs.
650 and Rs. 750 (ii) More than Rs 750 [VTU June 2012]

20. A sample of 100 dry battery cells tested to find the length of life
produced by a company and following results are recorded : Mean life
= 12 hours, Standard Deviation = 3 hours. Assuming data to be
normally distributed, find the expected life of a dry cell : (i) more than
15 hours (ii) Between 10 and 1 hours [VTU Jan 2011]

21. Suppose that the student IQ scores form a normal distribution with
mean 100 and standard deviation 20. Find the percentage of
students whose (i) score is less than 80 (ii) score falls between 90
 and 140 (iii) score is more than 120 [VTU June 2011]

22. The I.Q. of students in a certain college is assumed to be normally

distributed with mean 100 and variance 25. If two students are selected at
random, find the probability that (i) both of them have I.Q. between 102
and 110 (ii) at least one of them have I.Q . between 102 and 110 (iii) at
most one of them have I.Q. between 102 and 110. [VTU Model 2020]

Dr. Shantha Kumari K AJIET, Mangalore