1.

The discrete random variable X has probability function

k ( 2 – x), x = 0, 1, 2,

k ( x – 2), x = 3,
0, otherwise,
P(X = x) = 

where k is a positive constant.

(a) Show that k = 0.25.

(2)

2
(b) Find E(X) and show that E(X ) = 2.5.
(4)

(c) Find Var(3X – 2).

(3)

Two independent observations X1 and X2 are made of X.

(d) Show that P(X1 + X2 = 5) = 0.

(1)

(e) Find the complete probability function for X1 + X2.

(3)

(f) Find P(1.3 ≤ X1 + X2 ≤ 3.2).

(3)
(Total 16 marks)

2. The random variable X has probability distribution

x 1 2 3 4 5
P(X = x) 0.10 p 0.20 q 0.30

(a) Given that E(X) = 3.5, write down two equations involving p and q.
(3)

Find

(b) the value of p and the value of q,

(3)

(c) Var(X),
(4)

(d) Var(3 – 2X).

(2)
(Total 12 marks)

1
3. The random variable X has the discrete uniform distribution

1
P(X = x) = 5 , x = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

(a) Write down the value of E(X) and show that Var(X) = 2.
(3)

Find

(b) E(3X – 2),

(2)

(c) Var(4 – 3X).

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

4. The random variable X has probability function

kx, x = 1, 2, 3,

P(X = x) = 
k ( x + 1), x = 4, 5,

where k is a constant.

(a) Find the value of k.

(2)

(b) Find the exact value of E(X).

(2)

(c) Show that, to 3 significant figures, Var(X) = 1.47.

(4)

(d) Find, to 1 decimal place, Var(4 – 3X).

(2)
(Total 10 marks)

5. The random variable X has probability function

P(X = x) = kx, x = 1, 2, ..., 5.

1
(a) Show that k = 15 .
(2)

Find

(b) P(X < 4),

(2)

2
 (c) E(X),
(2)

(d) E(3X – 4).

(2)
(Total 8 marks)

6. The random variable X represents the number on the uppermost face when a fair die is thrown.

(a) Write down the name of the probability distribution of X.

(1)

(b) Calculate the mean and the variance of X.

(3)

Three fair dice are thrown and the numbers on the uppermost faces are recorded.

(c) Find the probability that all three numbers are 6.

(2)

(d) Write down all the different ways of scoring a total of 16 when the three numbers are
added together.
(4)

(e) Find the probability of scoring a total of 16.

(2)
(Total 12 marks)

7. A discrete random variable X has the probability function shown in the table below.

x 0 1 2 3
P(X = x) 1 1 1 1
3 2 12 12

Find

(a) P(1 < X ≤ 3),

(2)

(b) F(2.6),
(1)

(c) E(X),
(2)

(d) E(2X – 3),

(2)

(e) Var(X)
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

3
8. A discrete random variable X has a probability function as shown in the table below, where a
and b are constants.

x 0 1 2 3

P(X = x) 0.2 0.3 b a

Given that E(X) = 1.7,

(a) find the value of a and the value of b.

(5)

Find

(b) P(0 < X < 1.5),

(1)

(c) E(2X – 3).

(2)

(d) Show that Var(X) = 1.41.

(3)

(e) Evaluate Var(2X – 3).

(2)
(Total 13 marks)

9. The random variable X has the discrete uniform distribution

1
P(X = x) = n , x = 1, 2, ..., n.

Given that E(X) = 5,

(a) show that n = 9.

(3)

Find

(b) P(X < 7),

(2)

(c) Var (X).

(4)
(Total 9 marks)

10. A fairground game involves trying to hit a moving target with a gunshot. A round consists of up
to 3 shots. Ten points are scored if a player hits the target, but the round is over if the player
misses. Linda has a constant probability of 0.6 of hitting the target and shots are independent of
one another.

(a) Find the probability that Linda scores 30 points in a round.

(2)

4
 The random variable X is the number of points Linda scores in a round.

(b) Find the probability distribution of X.

(5)

(c) Find the mean and the standard deviation of X.

(5)

A game consists of 2 rounds.

(d) Find the probability that Linda scores more points in round 2 than in round 1.
(6)
(Total 18 marks)

11. The discrete random variable X has probability function

k ( x 2 − 9), x = 4, 5, 6

P(X = x) = 0, otherwise,

where k is a positive constant.

1
(a) Show that k = 50 .
(3)

(b) Find E(X) and Var(X).

(6)

(c) Find Var(2X – 3).

(2)
(Total 11 marks)