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The discrete random variable X has the probability function $$ P(X = x) = \begin{cases} c(7 - 2x) & x = 0, 1, 2, 3 \\ k & x = 4 \\ 0 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases} $$ where c and k are constants - AQA - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 16 - 2021 - Paper 3

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The-discrete-random-variable-X-has-the-probability-function--$$-P(X-=-x)-=-\begin{cases}--c(7---2x)-&-x-=-0,-1,-2,-3-\\-k-&-x-=-4-\\-0-&-\text{otherwise}--\end{cases}-$$--where-c-and-k-are-constants-AQA-A-Level Maths Mechanics-Question 16-2021-Paper 3.png

The discrete random variable X has the probability function $$ P(X = x) = \begin{cases} c(7 - 2x) & x = 0, 1, 2, 3 \\ k & x = 4 \\ 0 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The discrete random variable X has the probability function $$ P(X = x) = \begin{cases} c(7 - 2x) & x = 0, 1, 2, 3 \\ k & x = 4 \\ 0 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases} $$ where c and k are constants - AQA - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 16 - 2021 - Paper 3

Step 1

Show that 16c + k = 1

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Answer

To show that 16c+k=116c + k = 1, we first substitute the values of x into the probability function:

  • For X=0X = 0:

    P(X=0)=c(72(0))=7cP(X = 0) = c(7 - 2(0)) = 7c

  • For X=1X = 1:

    P(X=1)=c(72(1))=5cP(X = 1) = c(7 - 2(1)) = 5c

  • For X=2X = 2:

    P(X=2)=c(72(2))=3cP(X = 2) = c(7 - 2(2)) = 3c

  • For X=3X = 3:

    P(X=3)=c(72(3))=cP(X = 3) = c(7 - 2(3)) = c

  • For X=4X = 4:

    P(X=4)=kP(X = 4) = k

Since the total probability must equal 1, we can establish:

7c+5c+3c+c+k=17c + 5c + 3c + c + k = 1

Simplifying gives:

16c+k=116c + k = 1

This completes the proof.

Step 2

Given that P(X \geq 3) = 5/8 find the value of c and the value of k.

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Answer

Given that P(X3)=58P(X \geq 3) = \frac{5}{8}, we first express P(X3)P(X \geq 3) using the probability function:

P(X3)=P(X=3)+P(X=4)=c+kP(X \geq 3) = P(X = 3) + P(X = 4) = c + k

We know from part (a) that:

  1. 16c+k=116c + k = 1

Now, substituting into this equation:

  1. P(X3)=c+k=58P(X \geq 3) = c + k = \frac{5}{8}

From equation (1): k=116ck = 1 - 16c

Substituting this into equation (2):

c+(116c)=58c + (1 - 16c) = \frac{5}{8}

Combining terms gives: 115c=581 - 15c = \frac{5}{8}

Subtracting 1 from both sides: 15c=581=5888=38-15c = \frac{5}{8} - 1 = \frac{5}{8} - \frac{8}{8} = -\frac{3}{8}

Thus: c=3120=140c = \frac{3}{120} = \frac{1}{40}

Now substitute back to find k: k=116(140)=11640=125=35k = 1 - 16(\frac{1}{40}) = 1 - \frac{16}{40} = 1 - \frac{2}{5} = \frac{3}{5}

Therefore:

  • c=140c = \frac{1}{40}
  • k=35k = \frac{3}{5}

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