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Exponential Distribution Worksheet

The document discusses the exponential distribution in various scenarios, including waiting times for buses, car breakdowns, phone call wait times, MP3 player lifetimes, and recovery times from an antibiotic. It poses several probability questions related to these scenarios, requiring calculations for specific time intervals and conditions. Additionally, it instructs to draw sketches of the distributions for visual representation.

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11 views1 page

Exponential Distribution Worksheet

The document discusses the exponential distribution in various scenarios, including waiting times for buses, car breakdowns, phone call wait times, MP3 player lifetimes, and recovery times from an antibiotic. It poses several probability questions related to these scenarios, requiring calculations for specific time intervals and conditions. Additionally, it instructs to draw sketches of the distributions for visual representation.

Uploaded by

1083619
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MDM 4U0

Continuous Probability Distributions


The Exponential Distribution
Draw a sketch of the distribution in each case!
1. Suppose that the time spent waiting for a bus can be characterized by a
continuous random variable X which is exponentially distributed with a mean
waiting time of 7.5 minutes. Determine the probability that
(a) P(X < 12.2)
(b) P(X > 5.4)
(c) P(1.4 < X < 4.9)

2. An unprincipled used car dealer sells a car to an unsuspecting buyer, even though
he is aware that the car will have a major breakdown in roughly 6 months. The
dealer assures the buyer that a full warranty of 45 days (1.5 months) comes with
all cars that are sold. Assuming that the time until the car breaks down is
exponentially distributed, what is the probability that that the breakdown will
(a) Occur within the 1.5 month warranty period? Draw a sketch of the
distribution.
(b) Occur after the 1.5 month warranty period?

3. Hari has just received an offer of admission to U of Guelph for environmental


science. He has a question about OSAP, and calls the Office of Financial Services
at Guelph. When he calls, all the lines are busy and the automated response puts
him on hold and advises him that the waiting time is exponentially distributed with
a mean waiting time of 14 minutes. What is the probability that he will have to
wait
(a) Less than 8 minutes? Draw a sketch of the distribution.
(b) More than 8 minutes?
(c) Between 10 to 20 minutes?
(d) Hari called at 4:15 pm in the afternoon. The Office closes at 4:30pm, and if
a caller is still on hold by 4:30pm, they are automatically disconnected .
What is the probability that Hari will get disconnected, and be forced to call
back tomorrow?

4. The lifetime of a certain MP3 player is exponentially distributed, with the


manufacturer claiming that it lasts an average of 5 years before it starts to
malfunction.
(a) What is the probability that it will start to malfunction in less than 90 days?
(b) What is the probability that it will last longer than 6 years?

5. When patients with a certain illness take a certain antibiotic drug, the length of
time until they recover fully follows an exponential distribution with a mean of 30
minutes.
(a) What proportion of the patients will recover within 12 to 60 minutes?
(b) How long will it take for half the patients to recover after taking the drug?

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