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Sheet4ProbPower PDF

This document contains 11 questions regarding discrete random variables. The questions cover topics such as determining probability mass functions and cumulative distribution functions, calculating mean and variance, and computing probabilities of events occurring. Specific examples include the number of examiners approving a thesis, errors in an 8-bit byte, thickness of wood paneling ordered, and number of wafers or items passing a test.

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249 views2 pages

Sheet4ProbPower PDF

This document contains 11 questions regarding discrete random variables. The questions cover topics such as determining probability mass functions and cumulative distribution functions, calculating mean and variance, and computing probabilities of events occurring. Specific examples include the number of examiners approving a thesis, errors in an 8-bit byte, thickness of wood paneling ordered, and number of wafers or items passing a test.

Uploaded by

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Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Alexandria University 3rd Year Power 2016

Faculty of Engineering Probability and Statistics

Sheet 4
Discrete Random Variables

Question (1):
Let the discrete random variable X be equally likely to assume any of the values 3, 5, or 7.
(a) Determine the cumulative distribution function and sketch it.
(b) Compute the mean and variance of X.

Question (2):
The range of the discrete random variable X is {0,1,2,3, x} , where x is unknown. If each value is
equally likely to occur and the mean of X is 6, determine x.

Question (3):
Patient response to a generic drug to control pain is scored on a 3-point scale, where a 3 indicates
complete relief. Historically, the distribution of the scores is known to be

1 2 3
0.1 0.5 0.4
Two patients, assumed to be independent, are each scored. What is the probability mass function
of the total score?

Question (4):
The probabilities that a PhD thesis will be favourably reviewed by three independent examiners
are 0.7, 0.6 and 0.5, respectively. Define the random variable X to denote the number of examiners
that approve the thesis. Find the probability distribution of X and its mean.

Question (5):
Given that f ( x)  k 4  x is a probability distribution for a random variable X that can take on the
values x  0, 1, 2,3 .
(a) Find the constant k such that f(x) is a valid probability mass function
(b) Find the cumulative distribution function F(x)
(c) Find the mean of X.
(d) Find the standard deviation of X.
(e) Find P(X > 2).
(f) Repeat parts (a), (c) and (e) if X can assume any non-negative integer.

Question (6):
Assume that each of your calls to an airline reservation system has a probability of 0.2 of
connecting; that is, of not obtaining a busy signal. Assume that your calls are independent. Find the
probability mass function for the number of trials made to achieve your first connection to this
airline reservation system.

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Question (7):
The probability of a successful optical alignment in the assembly of an optical data storage product
is 0.8. Assuming that the trials are independent, find the probability mass function for the number
of trials required to achieve the first successful alignment.

Question (8):
The number of errors found in an eight bit byte is a discrete random variable X with the given
cumulative distribution function.
0 , x  1
 0 .7 , 1  x  4

F( x )  
 0 .9 , 4  x  7
1 , x  7
(a) Find the probability mass function of X.
(b) Determine P( 2  X  5) .
(c) Find E( 2 X  4) .
(d) Find V( 2 X  4)

Question (9):
The thickness of wood paneling (in inches) that a customer orders is a random variable X with the
following distribution function:
0 , x  1 / 8
0.2, 1 / 8  x  1 / 4

F( x )  
 0. 8 , 1 / 4  x  3 / 8
1 , x  3 / 8
(a) Find P(X < 1/4).
(b) Find V(X + 2).

Question (10):
In a semi-conductor manufacturing process, four wafers from a lot are tested. Each wafer is
classified as 'pass' or 'fail'. Assume that the probability a wafer passes the test is 0.8 and that wafers
are independent. Find the probability mass function for the number of wafers that pass the test in
the sample drawn.

Question (11):
A batch contains 4 good items and 2 defective items. Items are tested until the first defective item
is found. Define the random variable X to be equal to the number of trials needed in this
experiment. Find the probability mass function of the random variable X.

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