PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION

( BASIC CONCEPTS)
A random variable (LV.) is a function whose domain is a distribution function (c.d.f.) of a discrete r.v, X is defined as
sample space of random experiment and whose condomain F(x) = P[X :5 x].
is the set of real numbers. i.e. X : S ~ R. If X is a discrete LV. taking values x., X2, ... Xn with
There are two types of random variables: respective probabilities PI, ... Pm then
(i) Discrete random variable (i) mean or ex-pected value of X, denoted by 11of E(X)
(ii) Continuous random variable is defined as
n
A random variable which can take countable number of
isolated values is called as a discrete random variable. 11 = E(X) = L Xi Pi
i=l
A random variable which can take any value in a given
(ii) Variance of X denoted by cr2 or Var (X) is given
interval is called as a continuous random variable.
by
If X is a discrete r. v. taking values x I, X2, ... x, then with

t. (~x,pJ
2
each Xi we assign a number Pi = P[X = x.], i = 1, 2, ... n
called as probability of Xi such that, a' = Vor(X) = x; P,-
/
(i) 0:5 Pi:5 1, i = 1,2, ... n
n n
A real valued function f(x) is called as a probability
density function (p.d.f.) of a continuous LV. X if
(ii) L P[X = Xi] = L Pi = 1
i=1 i=1 (i) f(x);;:: 0, V X E R and

Such a function P is called as probability mass function

(p.m.f.) of X. (ii) f f(x) dx =1
Set or ordered pairs (Xi, Pi), i = 1, 2, ... n is called as
robabilit distribution of discrete LV. X. Cumulative

( MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Given: Then P(x :5 2) is

o 2 3 4 1 1
(a) "3 (b)"S
k 3k 5k 2k k
If f(x) is p.m.f. of a random variable x, then k is ...
(C)i (d)~
1 1
(a) 10 (b) 12
4. A p.m.f. of LV. x is given below:
1 1
(c) 6' (d)4 X=x 2 4 6
P(X = x) 1 3 1
·2. For the following distribution
8 8 2

1 P;X) 1 0\.1 022 1-03-.3--'--0-~-2- --0~-2- Then E(x) is

(a) 5.25 (b) 4.75
the P (3 :5 X < 5) is
(c) 2.5 (d) 4.25
(a) 0.5 (b) 0.7
(c) 0.3 (d) 0.8 5. A discrete LV. X has p.m.f, as below:

3. The p.d.f. of continuous LV. x is given by: X=x 1 2 4

P(X = x) 1 1 5
~. 0<x<5
f(x) = 4' 3 4 12
{
o; otherwise The variance of x is
Mathematics Probability Distribution

12. A r.v. x has the following probability distribution

x -1 -2 1 2

P(x) 1 1 1 1
6. The function 3 6 6 3
kx (2 - x) 0<x<2
f(x) = { 0 Then the expected value of x is
otherwise
is p.d.f. of x
Then value of k is
1
(a)4
13. Probability distribution of d.r. v. X is

7.
(c)4
3

If F(x) is c.d.f. of a random

F(5) - F(2) is equal to ...
variable X, then
I P(XX= ~

If a = P(X
:

~ 2) and b
5k5E'-2-~-tB
= P(X < 3), then
(a) P(2 < x < 5) (b) P(2 ~ x < 5) (ai a o b (bj a c b
(cj a e b (d) none of these
(c) P(2 ~ x ~ 5) (d)P(2 < x ~ 5)
14. If the probability distribution of a d.r. v. X is
8. If X is a continuous r.v, with p.d.f.
kx;O~X~l x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

f(x) = k; 1~ x ~ 2 P(x) K 3K 5K 7K 9K IlK 13K

{
o ; otherwise then the value of P(X ~ 2) and P(O < X < 4) are
then value of k is: 15 34 45 15
(a) 49 ' 49 (b) 49 ' 49
1 45
(c) 49 ' 49 (d) none of these

15. If the p.m.f. of a d.r. v. X is 2

c
9. For a distribution with p.d.f. P(x) =?, ... x = 1,2,3

l/-~ =0, ... elsewhere,

f(x) = 2' e ,x ~ 0 then: E(X) = ....
297 343
the mean is (a) 294 (b) 297

(a) 2 294
(c) 251 (d) none of these

(c) 1 16. P.dJ. of a c.r.v. X is

2
f(x) = 6x (1 - x), ... O~x~l
10. If X follows a normal distribution with mean 11 == S
=0 ... elsewhere
and variance 02 = 64, the standard normal variate is:
X-64 X-s If P(X < a) = P(X > a), then: a = .....
(a)z=-S- (b)z=-S- 1 1
(a)3 (b) 2'
S-X x-S
(c)z=-S- (d)z='64 1
(c)4 (d) 1
11. The p.m.f. for a Binomial distribution with usual
17. The life in hours of a radio tube is a c.r.v. X with
notations is ...
p.d.f.
2:
(a) (~) pX qn-x (b) (~) qX pn-x 100
f(x) =7 ... x ~ 100

(c) (~) pn qX (d) (~) qn pX =0, ... elsewhere

[
Mathematics Probability Distribution

Then the probability that a tube will last less than 200 (a) 0.57 (b) 0.38
hours if it is known that the tube is still functioning (c) 0.71 (d) none of these
after 150 hours of service is .....
23. A r.v. x assumes the values of 1, 2, 3, ... , n with
I
equal probability ~ each. Then expectation = .

n+l
(d) none of these (a) n (b)-2-

18. The amount of bread X (in hundreds of pounds) that a n+2

(c)--U (d) none of these
bakery sells in a day has a p.d.f.
f(x) = Kx, 0~x<5 24. Two players A and B play a game.
A fair die is thrown.
= K(lO - x), 5 ~ x < 10
If even number appears, then B pays ~ 5 to A.
= 0, otherwise
If odd prime appears, then A plays ~ 4 to B.
Then the probability that the amount of bread that
If 1 appears, then no payment to either player.
will be sold tomorrow will be less than 500 pounds is
Then the variance of the amount of received by A =...
(a) 4.058 (b) 4.850
(c) 4.580 (d) 4.805
25. If a random variable X has the following probability
(d) none of these
distribution
19. If a d.r.v. X has the p.m.f. :
x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
p(x) = Kx2, ... x=I,2,3,4
P(x) 0.1 0 2k k 3k 0.2 0.1
=0, ... elsewhere,
then value of k = .
then: VeX) = ....
(a) 12/5 (b) 5
(a) 0.59 (b) 1.611
(c)O.l (d)12
(c) 0.49 (d) 0.69
26. A discrete r. v. x has the p.m.f. given by:
20. A c.r.v. X has the p.d.f.
f(x) = 3x2, ... 0~x~1 X=x 2 4 6 8 10

=0, ... elsewhere P(X = x) 1 1 1 1 1

12 6 4 3 6
If P(X ~ a) = P(X > a), then: a = .....
1 1 then P(4 ~ x < 8) = .
(a)- (b)-
(a) 12/5 (b) 5/2
Vi ~ (c) 0.1 (d) 12
1
(c) - (d) 1 27. The p.m.f. of a random variable x is as follows:
~ P(O) = 3k3, P(l) = 4k - lOk2
21. P.m.f. of a d.r.v. X is P(2) = 5k - 1, P(x) = 0 elsewhere
x
P(x)=T5' x=I,2,3,4,5 Then value of k = .
1
=0 elsewhere (a)"} (b)3
1 5
If A : "2 < X < "2 and B : X > 1, then: peA B) = .....
I
(c) 6
1 1
(a) "6 (b) 4" 28. Following is the distribution function F of a discrete
r.v.x
1. 1
(c) 5" (d)? x I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

22. Distribution function F(x) of a d.r.v. X is F(x) 0.08 0.12 0.23 0.37 0.48 0.62 0.85 I

x 1 2 3 4 5 6 :. P(2 ~ x ~ 6) = .

F(x) 0.2 0.37 0.48 0.62 0.85 1 (a) 0.541 (b) 0.451

Then: P[(X ~ 5) I (X > 3)] = ..... (c) 0.54 (d) 0.154

GJ
 Mathematics Probability Distribution

29. Find the constant k if the function 35. The p.d.f. of a c.r.v. X is
k
f(x) = 1+7 ; - 00 < x < 00 is p.d.f. of a continuous f(x) = K . sin (~x) 0~x~5
r.v. x. then k = .
=0 elsewhere
1
(a) 11: (b)- then: K = ....
11:
2
(c) 11: (d) none of these
(b)~
30. The life of electronic component in hours is a
. . 20000
contmuous r.v. x WIth p.d.f. f(x) = ----;cr-; x ;;::100. (d) none of these
4.
Find the expected life in hours of the electronic 36. If the probability distribution of a d.r. v. X is
component.
Xi~
(a) 100 hrs (b) 200 hrs
(c) 300 hrs (d) none of these I P(X=X;)~
31. If a d.r.v. X has the following probability distribution: then: P(X < 0) and P(X > -1) are
1 3 1 1
x 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (a)4'4 (b)},} 4~
P(X = x) K 2K 2K 3K K2 2K2 7K2 + K 2 5
(c) "6 ' "6 (d) none of these
then: K= ....
1 37. The p.d.f. of a c.r.v. X is
(a) 8
I
1 f(X) = 2" ... 0 <x <2
(c) 9
=0 ... otherwise
32. If the p.d.f. of a c.r.v. X is
Then P(X < 1.5) and P(X > 1) are
f(x) = Kx2(1 - x3), ... 0~x~ 1 44
(a) 0.25,0.50 (b) 0.75,0.5 .
=0, ... elsewhere
(c) 0.6, 0.27 (d) none of these
then: K = ....
38. A d.r.v. X has probability distribution:
(a) 6 (b) 8
(c) 3 (d) 9 Xi 1 2 3 4

33. If a C.r.v. X has probability density function (p.d.f.) P(X = x.) 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.2
f(x) = ax, ...• O,~ x~ 1 Then P(X is odd) and P(X is even) are
= a, .... :l,$x~2 (a) 0.5, 0.5 (b) 0.7, 0.7 45.
= 3a - ax, ... 2~x~3 (c) 0.6, 0.4 (d) 0.3,0.4
=0 ... elsewhere 39. If the p.m.f. of a d.r.v. X is
then: K= .... P(X = x) = Kx, ... x = 0,1,2,3
1 1
(a) } (b) "6 =0, ... elsewhere
then: P(X ~ 2) = ....
1
~ (c) 2" (d) 1 1
(a) 2"
34. If the p.d.f. of a c.r.v.Xis
6
1 (c) 4 46.
f(x) =4 ... -1<x<3
40. A r.v.x. assumes the values 2, 4, 6, 2n with
=0, ... otherwise,
equal probability ~ each. Then the mean is = .
then : P(X > 0) = ....
(a) 0.25 (b) 0.50 (a) n + 2 (b) n + 3
(c) 0.75 (d) 1 (c) n +1 (d) none of these
a

Mathematics Probability Distribution

41. If the p.d.f. of a c.r.v. X is 47. Calculate the expected value and variance of X, if X
x denotes the number obtained on the uppermost face
f(x) =8 0<x<4 when a fair die is thrown .
=0 ... otherwise (a) 2.19 Cb)9.21
then P(X < 1) and P(X 2:: 2) are (c) 2.91 (d) none of these
1 3 1 3 The p.m.f. of a r.v. X is
48.
(a)4'8 (b)16'4
1
5 7 P(x) = 15' for x = 1,2, ... , 14, 15;
(c) 8 ' 16 (d) none of these

42. Verify whether each of the following functions can be =0 otherwise

regarded as p.m.f. for the given values of X :
then Var. (X) = .
P:) I 00
5
I 0'2 I 0~8 1'---0-.~-2- (a) 8.2266 (b) 82.6666
Cc)6.2286 (d) none of these
(a) It is p.m.f. (b) It is not p.m.f.
(c) It is c.d.f. (d) None of these 49. A fair coin is tossed 3 times. A person receives ~ X2

43. if he gets X number of heads in all. Then his expected

Determine k such that the following function is a
p.m.f. gain is = .

(a) 3 (b) 4
P(x) = { k (O~) x = 0, 1,2,3,4; k >0
(c) 2 (d) none of these
otherwise
1
50. Calculate the expected value of the sum of two
(a) 16 (b) 16 numbers obtained when two fair dice are rolled.
2 (a) 8 (b)7
(c) 16 (d) none of these

r::bT :'T:nlB
(c) 6 (d) none of these
51. A r.v. X has the following probability distribution.
44·Ir-_p_~_:_~=_th_:_)fO_I""'I"_w_:_n::::....eg

X=x [;] -, I ° G:IiliJ

then value of k = . I P(x) ~ k 0.2 ~

3 Find the value of k and calculate mean and variance

(a) 10 (b) ~O
ofX.
(c) 10 (d) none of these (a) 0.2 (b) 0.3
45. A random variable X has the following probability (c) 0.1 (d) none of these
distribution:
52. The p.m.f. for X = number of major defects in a
x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
randomly selected appliance of a certain type is :
P(x) k 3k 5k 7k 9k Ilk 13k
X=x 0 1 2 3 4
then value of k is .
P(x) 0.08 0.15 0.45 0.27 0.05
1 (b) 5 0
(a) 49 3 Then value of standard deviation of X = .
3 2 (a) 0.9766 Cb)0.9676
(c) 49 (d) 49
(c) 0.7966 (d) none of these
46. Obtain the expected value and variance of X for the
following probability distribution. 53. Let X denote the Apgar score of a randomly selected
'<, child born at a certain hospital during the year and
X=x -2 -1 0 1 2
suppose its p.m.f. is
P(X = x) 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.15 0.25
X=x 0 1 2 3 4 5
(a) 2.5742 (b) 2.2475
P(x) 0.002 0.001 0.002 0.005 0.02 0.04
(c) 2.4257 (d) 2.5427

GlJ
 Probability Distribution Matl
Mathematics
65.
60. Find the c.d.f. F(x) associated with the following
X=x 6 7 8 9 10
p.d.f. f(x).
P(x) 0.18 0.37 0.25 0.12 0.01
1 < x < =:
Then expected value of X ::= •••••• f(x) = { ~x •
(a) 5.17 (b) 1.75 o . otherwise

(c) 7.15 (d) none of these is given by .

54. The p.m.f. of a LV. X is as follows: 1 2
(a) 1 + X- (b) 1 + X-
C
P(x) = X' ; x::= 1,2,3
l
(c) 1 - X- (d) 1 - ~
o ; otherwise
Then expected value of X ::= •••••••
61. F(x) associated with the following p.d.f, f(x) 66.
(a) 1.1715 (b) 1.7115 3(1 - 2X2) • 0 < x < 1;
f(x) ::=
{
(c) 1.5711 (d) none of these o , otherwise
55. Let X have p.m.f.
Then value of P (1J < X. < '}1) by .usmg
. p.d.f .
P(x) k· X2 ; x::= 1,2,3,4
(a) 0.2017 (b)O.2071
o ; otherwise (c) 0.7120 (d) none of these
Then k = . Let X ::= amount of time for which a book is taken out
1 1 of a college library by a randomly selected student
(a) 30 (b) 20 67.
and suppose X has p.d.f.
1 1
(c) 40 (d)T5 f(x) ::= {0.5X ,OS; x S; 2;

Verify whether the following functions are p.d.f.s of a

o . otherwise
56.
continuous r.v. X. Then P(0.5 S; X S; 1.5) ::= •••••••

e-x O<x<oo; 1 1
f(x) ::= (a) "2 (b)'}
o . otherwise
(a) it is p.d.f. (b) it is not p.d.f. 1
(c)J (d) none of these
(c) it is c.d.f, (d) none of these 6~
63. Let X denote the reaction temperature (in QC) of a
57. Verify whether the following functions are p.d.fs of a
certain chemical process. Let X be a continuous r.v.
continuous r.v.x.
with p.d.f.
~ -2 < x < 2; I
f(x)::=
{
2' 10 . -5 S; x S;5;
f(x) =
o . otherwise {
o . otherwise
(a) it is p.d.f. (b) it is not p.d.f.
(c) it is p.m.f. (d) none of these
Then P(X < 0) = . 6'
(a) 0.05 (b) 0.61
58. Find k if the following is the p.d.f. of a r.v. X.
kx? (l - x) , 0 < x < 1; (c) 0.66 (d) 0.5
f(x) = {
o , otherwise 64. Let X = time (in minutes) that elapses between the
bell and the end of the lecture in case of a college
(a) 10 (b) 13
professor. Suppose X has p.d.f.
(c) 12 (d)21
kx? ,OS; x S; 2;
59. For each of the following p.d.f.s of X, f(x) = {
X2
o , otherwise
f(x)::= 18 '
-3 < x < 3; Then the value of k = .
8
o . otherwise (b) 2:
Then value of P(X < 1)
(a) 0.5185 (b) 0.8551 (d)~

(c) 0.5815 (d) none of these

Mathematics Probability Distribution

65. The time (in minutes) for a lab assistant to prepare the 71. Find the variance of random variable whose p.m.f.'s
equipment for a certain experiment is a random are given below:
variable taking values between 25 and 35 minutes
with p.d.f. I X=x 1 2 3 ... n
( 1
10 ' 25::; x ::; 35; P(X = x) -1 -1 -1 ... 1
I
f(x) =
t
o , otherwise
What is the probability that preparation time exceeds
(a )
(n2 - 1)
12
n n

(b)(n - 1)
n n

33 minutes? (n - 1)
(c ) 12 (d) none of these
(a) 0.2 (b) 0.6
(c) 0.4 (d) none of these 72. Find expected value of

66. The probability of a discrete r.v. X is X=x 0 1 2 3

x=x 1 2 3 I 4 5 6 P(X =x) q3 3q2 p 3q p2 p3

P(X = J,{) k 2k 3k I 4k 5k 6k where 0 < p < 1, q = 1 - P

The value of P(X ::;4) = . (a) 3p (b) 3q

21 21 (c) 3pq (d) none of these

(a) ""6 (b) 20 73. The p.m.f. of a r.v. X is
10 21 2x
(c) 2T (d) 20
P(x) =
n(n + 1) , x = 1,2, ... n;
~
67. For the following probability distribution of X. L 0 otherwise

X=x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 Then the value ofVar (X) is = .

(n + 2) (n - 1) ) (n + 1) (n - 1)
P(X = x) 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.15 0.10 (a) 28 (b 18
Then the value of the probability that X is positive = (n + 2) Cn - 1)
(c) 18 (d) none of these

(a) 0.51 (b) 0.65 74. The p.m.f. of a r. v.x.

(c) 0.25 (d) 0.50 r kx , for x = I, 2, 3;
P(x) =i
68. The following is the c.d.f. of a discrete r.v. X. l 0, otherwise
Then value of k = .
X -3 -1 0 1 3 5 7 9
-- f-- 1
F(x) 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.65 0.75 0.85 0.90 1 (b)g

Then the value of P(X ::; 31X > 0) = . 1

(d)'S
(a) 0.25 (b) 0.52 .
(c) 0.2 (d) 0.5 75. A player tosses 2 fair coins. He wins f 5 if 2 heads
appear, f 2 if 1 head appear and f 1 if no head
69. What is the standard deviation of the random variable appears. Then his expected winning amount = .

I z::r"igiVflO} i 76.
(a) 2.25
(c) 5.25
Two cards are drawn at random from a box which
contains 5 cards numbered I, I, 2, 2 and 3. Let X
(b) 2.5
(d) 5.22

(a) 0.4783 (b) 0.8347 denote the sum of the numbers. Then the expected
(c) 0.7483 (d) 0.3847 value of the sum = .
70. What is the expected value of random variable whose (a) 6.3 (b) 2.6
p.m.f.'s are given below: (c) 3.6 (d) 7

I p~==xX)mr---~--__~_---, 77. A r.v. X assumes values 1, 2, 3, ... n with equal

probabilities.
What will be n if Var (X)
(a) 1
= E(X)
(b) 6
?
(a) 0.22 (b) 0.2
(c) 0.1 (d) none of these (c) 2 (d) 7

19.71
Mathematics Probability Distribution

78. Find k if the function f defined by (c)e (dj B

fx(x) =kx (l - x), O<x<1 81. Suppose r.v. X = Waiting time in minutes for a bus
and its p.d.f. is given by
= 0, otherwise
t' 0:::; x:::; 5;
is the p.d.f. of a r. v. X
(a) 6 (b) 6.1
f(x) = {o , otherwise
(c) 3 (d)2 Then the probability that
79. The p.d.f. of a r.v. X is given by Waiting time is between 1 and 3 minutes is = .
_\: ' 0 < x < 4; (a) 0.2 (b) 0.4
fx(x) = 4"x
{ (c) 0.11 (d) 0.6
o , otherwise
82. Suppose the error involved in making a certain
Then the c.d.f. of X is = . measurement is a continuous r.v. X with p.d.f.
(a) 2-Vx (b)-Vx k(4 - X2) , -2:::; x :::;2;
1 f(x) ={
(c)...J2x (d)"2-Vx o , otherwise

Se-Bx , 0:::; x < 00, S > 0; Then value of k = .

80. If f(x) ={ 32
o otherwise (a) 3" (b) 32

is the p.d.f. of the r. v. X. Then p( X > ~D = . 3

(c) 32 (d) none of these
1
(a)- (b)e-B
e

t ANSWER KEY )
1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (c) 6. (c) 7. (c) 8. (b) 9. (a) 10. (b) 4
11. (a) 12. (c) 13. (c) 14. (b) 15. (c) 16. (b) 17. (a) 18. (c) 19. (d) 20. (a)
21. (d) 22. (c) 23. (b) 24. (a) 25. (c) 26. (b) 27. (a) 28. (c) 29. (b) 30. (b)
31. (d) 32. (d) 33. (c) 34. (c) 35. (a) 36. (a) 37. (b) 38. (c) 39. (a) 40. (c)
41. (b) 42. (a) 43. (b) 44. (a) 45. (a) 46. (b) 47. (c) 48. (b) 49. (a) 50. (b)
51. (c) 52. (b) 53. (c) 54. (a) 55. (a) 56. (a) 57. (b) 58. (c) 59. (a) 60. (c)
61. (b) 62. (a) 63. (d) 64. (c) 65. (a) 66. (c) 67. (d) 68. (a) 69. (c) 70. (b)
71. (a) 72. (a) 73. (c) 74. (a) 75. (b) 76. (c) 77. (d) 78. (a) 79. (d) 80. (a)
81. (b) 82. (c) 4

t HINTS AND SOLUTIONS)

42. Given:
We have P(O) = k (6) = k x 1 = k
I P:l 1--0~-5- 0.2 0.~8 0.~2 P(1) k (1) = 4k

We observe that P(Xj) ~ 0 for each x, and also L P(Xj) P(2) = k(i)=6k
= 0.5+ 0.2+ 0.18+ 0.12= 1
.'. It is p.m.f. P(3) = k (1) = 4k
43. Given:
P(4) = k (:) k x I = k

P(x) = { k (O~) , x = 0, 1, 2. 3, 4; k > 0 and P(x) = 0 for all remaining values of x.

otherwise Clearly P(x) ~ 0 V x.

~ [
Mathematics Probability Distribution

Now L P(Xj) = 1 gives 47. X = number on the uppermost face when a fair die is
k + 4k + 6k + 4k + k = 1 thrown.

16k = 1 Then
1 P(Xi) Xi P(Xi)
2
Xi Xl P(Xi)
k 16
1 1 1

-FE
44. Given: 1 6 6 6

le-
-P-(X-X-=-X-) 2~ FE :k 2
1
6
2
6
4
6
1 3 9
We have, L P(xJ = 1 3 6 6 6
.. k + 2k + 4k + 2k + k = 1 4 16
1
4 6 6 6
10k 1
1 1 5 25
k = 10 5 6 6 6
P(X ~ 2) P(X = 2) + P(X = 3) + P(X = 4) 1 6 36
6 6 6 6
7
4k + 2k + k = 7k = 10
21 91
Total 6 6
P(X < 3) P(X = 0) + P(X = 1) + P(X = 2)
7 21
k+2k+4k=7k= 10 E(X) = L x, P(Xj) =6 = 3.5

P(X:S; 1) = P(X = 0) + P(X = 1) Var (X) E(X2) - [E(X)]2

91 2
k+2k = 6 - [3.5] = 15.16 - 12.25
3
= 3k = 10 = 2.91
1
45. Given: 48. Given: P(x) = 15' for x = 1,2, ... , IS
x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
= 0, otherwise
P(x) k 3k 5k 7k 9k llk 13k
E(X) = L x, P(Xj)
We have L P(Xj) = 1
.. k + 3k + 5k + 7k + 9k + llk + 13k = 1
(1) US) + (2) US) + ... + (1S) (1~)
1
.. 49k = 1
1
:. k = 49
= 15 [1 + 2 + 3 + ... + IS]
46.
Xi P(Xi) Xi P(Xi)
2
Xi P(Xi)
= 11S[15~16J=8': ±
r= 1
r n(n;1)

-2 0.2 -0.4 0.8 Var (X) L x~P(xJ

-1 0.3 -0.3 0.3
0 0.1 0.0 0.0
= (1)2 US) +(2)2 U5) + ... + (IS)2 US)
1 0.15 0.15 0.15 1
= 15 [(1)2 + (2)2 + (3)2 + ... + (15)2]
2 0.25 0.50 1.00

Total -0.05 2.25 _ .1...[15 x 16 x 31J

- IS 6
E(X) L x, P(Xj) = - 0.05
Var. (X) = E(X2) - [E(X)]2
n
.. L r2 = n(n + l)i 2n + 1)
r= 1
= L X~P(Xj) - (- 0.05)2 .

248
2.25 - 0.0025 3
= 2.2475
= 82.6666
 ••
Mathematics Probability Distribution

49. When a coin is tossed 3 times, the sample space 51. Given:
consists of 8 points.
S = {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT, THH,} X-x ~ -1 1----l0 ~
THT, TTH, TTT k 0.2 ~
1 P(x) ~
X = number of heads, which assumes the values 0, 1,
We have L P(Xi) = 1
2,3.
Now Y = X2 is the gain of a person for a given value .. 0.1 + k + 0.2 + 2k + 0.3 + k = 1
ofX. .. 4k = 0.4 :. k = 0.1
We have to find expectation of Y. 52. Given:
x Y Frequency P(Y) P(Y) xy
1 0 X=x 0 1 2 3 4
0 0 1
8
3 3 P(x) 0.08 0.15 0.45 0.27 0.05
1 1 3
8 8
Then
3 12
2 4 3
8 8 x P(x) x P(x)
1 9
3 9 1
8 8
o 0.08 0.00 0.00

0.15 0.15 0.15

Total 24 -3
8 -
2 0.45 0.90 1.80
E(Y) = L Yi P(yJ = 3
50. When two dice are rolled, the possible out comes are 3 0.27 0.81 2.43
36 in number viz. (1, 1), (1, 2), ... (6,6).
4 0.05 0.20 0.80
Let X = sum of the two numbers.
Then X assumes the values 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Total 2.06 5.18
11 , P~.
E(X) = L x P(x) = 2.06
x Favourable cases P(x) xP(x)
1 2 Var. (X) = E(X2) - [E(X)]2 = L X2P(x) - [2.06]2
2 (1,1)
36 36 .. Var. (X) = 5.18 - 4.2436 = 0.9364
2 6
3 (1,2), (2, 1) 0' = "",Var. (X) = "",0.9364 = 0.9676
36 36
3 12 53. By using the given data, we have the following table.
4 (1,3), (2, 2), (3, 1)
36 36
4 20 x P(x) x P(x)
5 (1,4), (2, 3), (3,2); (4, 1)
36 36 0
'/',
0.000
0.002
(1,5), (2, 4), (3, 3), (4, 2),
6 -5 30
1 0.001 0.001
(5, 1) 36 36
(1,6), (2, 5), (3,4), (4, 3), 6 42 2 O.OOf 0.004
7
(5,2), (6, 1) 36 36
3 0.005 0.015
(2,6), (3, 5), (4,4), (5, 3), 5 40 5
8
(6,2) 36 36 4 0.02 0.080
4 36
9 (3,6), (4, 5), (5, 4), (6, 3) 5 0.04 0.200
36 36
3 30 6 0.18 1.080
10 (4,6), (5, 5), (6, 4)
36 36 7 2.590
0.37
2 22
11 (5,6), (6, 5) 8 0.25· 2.000
36 36
1 12 9 0.12 1.080
12 (6,6)
36 36
10 0.01 0.100
252
Total
36 Total 7.150

E(X) = L x P(x) = 7.15

[
. Mathematics Probability Distribution

54. Given: P(x) = ~;

c x = 1,2,3 ~ , -2<x<2;
57. Given: f(x) =
{
= 0; otherwise 0, otherwise
We see that for values of x between - 2 and 0;
First we find the value of C.

I I~I~W
x
f(x) ='2< o.
P;X)
J f(x) dx = I~
2 2

Also dx = 0 :;t 1
C C
L P(x) = 1 .. C + "8 + 27 = 1 -2 -2

.. f(x) is not p.d.f. of X.

This gives C = 0.8605 58. We note that when k > 0,
Then kx2 (1 - x) > 0 '11 x E (0, 1)

C :. f(x) ~ 0 '11 x E 9i
P(x = 1) = (1)3 = C = 0.8605
Now for f(x) to be p.d.f. of a r. v. X, we must have
I
C 0.8605
P(x = 2) = (2)3 =-8-= 0.1075 J kx2 (1 - x) dx = 1
o
C 0.8605
P(x = 3) = (3)3 = -n-
= 0.0320

We have

x P(x) xP(x)

1 0.8605 0.8605

2 0.1075 0.2150

3 0.0320 0.0960 k
.. 12= 1 :. k = 12
Total 1.1715 X2
59. Given: f(x) = 18 ' -3 < x < 3;
E(X) = L x P(x) = 1.1715
o , otherwise
55. Given: P(x) = k· X2; X = 1,2,3,4
i
I~
I 2

=0; otherwise P(X < 1) J f(x) dx = 8 dx

-3 -3
.. L P(x) = 1
1 [X3Jx I = 1
.. P(I) + P(2) + P(3) + P(4) = 1 = 18 "3 x=-3 = 54 [(1)3 - (_3)3]

.. k(l)2 + k(2)2 + k(3)2 + k(4)2 = 1 1 ,1 28

= 54 [1 - (-27)] = 54 (l + 27) = 54
1
.. 30k = 1 :. k = 30 = 0.5185

e- x 0 < x < 00;

=
AI <x< 00;

56. Given: f(x) = { 0'

, otherwise
60. Given p.d.f, f(x)
{ x'o , otherwise
e- > 0 for all x E (0,00)
X
The c.d.f. F(x) is given by

:. f(x) ~ 0 '11 x E 9i.

eo F(x) = f f(x) dx = IX xz1 dx
x

f f(x) dx = i-: dx = [- e- {='"

cc

x I 1
Now
x=o
o
=
o
[(-O)-(-eo)]
.. F(x)= [ xlI=x = ( -- 1)
--
X= 1 X
-(-1)

= 1 .. F(x) = 1 -i1
.. f(x) is p.d.f. of X.
Mathematics Probability Distribution

3(1-2X2), G-c x « 1;
o
61. Given: f(x) = {
o , otherwise
P(X < 0) = J f(x) dx
-5
c.d.f. F(x) is given by o

F(x) =
x

J f(x) dx = J 3(1 - 2X2)dx

x J 110dx
-5
o 0 1 x=O
x = 10 [x]x=_5
.. F(x) = 3 J (1 - 2X2)dx 1
0 = 10 [0 - (-5)]

5
3 [ X _-x23 J=x = 10 = 0.5
3 xeD
kx2 , 0 s x ~ 2;
3 [(x - t x
3
) - (0 - 0)] 64. Given: f(x) = { 0
, otherwise
3 For f(x) to be p.d.f. of a continuous r. v .X., we have
= 3x - 2x
2
By using p.d.f. f(x), we have J f(x) dx = 1
1/3 o
p(±< X <~) = J f(x) dx 2

1/4 Jkx2dx =
1/3 o
J3(1- 2x2) dx k x e Z

114 3" [x\=o

3 x = 1/3 k
= [3x - 2x ]x= 1/4 3" [8 - 0] =
3
.. k = "8
231
= 1- 27 -"4+ 32
...L 25 < x < 35'
65. Given: f(x) = 10' - - ,
{
864 - 64 - 648 + 27 179 . 0, otherwise
= 864 = 864
Then
35
= 0.2071
By using c.d.f., we have
P(X > 33) J f(x) dx
33

p(±< X <~) = F G) - F (±)

35
1 1 x= 35
J 10 dx = 10 [X]x=33

= 3(~) - 2(~y- 3(±) + 2(±Y 33

1
= 10 (35 - 33)
179
= 864 = 0.2071 2
1.5
= 10 = 0.2
62. P(0.5 ~ X ~ 1.5) = J f(x) dx 66. Given:
0.5
x 1 2 3 4 5 6
3/2 11 x=3/2
= J 0.5 x dx =2x2 [x\= 112 P(X = x) k 2k 3k 4k 5k 6k
112
.. P(X ~ 4) = P(X = 1) + P(X = 2) + P(X = 3)
= ±[~-±J=±X2=~ + P(X =4)
...L -5 ~ x s 5; = k + 2k + 3k + 4k
63. Given: f(x) =
{ 100
1) 10
otherwise = lOk = 10 ( 21 = 21

[
Mathematics Probability Distribution

67. Given: 71. Given:

X=x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 x p(x) x p(x) X2 p(x)

1 1 1
P(X=x) 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.15 0.10 1 n n n
P(X is positive) = P(X > 0) 1 2 22
2 -
= P(X = 1) + P(X = 2) + P(X = 3) n n n
1 3 32
= 0.25 + 0.15 + 0.10 = 0.50 3 n n
-
n
68. Given:

X-x -3 -1 0 1 3 5 7 9
1 !!. n2
F(x) 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.65 0.75 0.85 0.90 1 n n n n
P(X::; 31 X > 0)

= P(X = 3) + P(X = 1)
E(X) = "
L..., x P(x) = n1 + n2 + n3 + ... + nn
= 0.1 + 0.15 = n [1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n]
1

= 0.25 _ .1 n(n + 1) n + 1
69. Given: - n 2 - 2

x P(x) x P(x) X2 P(x) Now

1 1 1
1 5 5 5
2 4 8
2 5 5 5
2 6 18
3 5 5 5
.1 n(n + 1)(2n + 1) (n + 1) (2n + 1)
n 6 = 6
11 27
Total 5 5 Var. (X) E(X2) - [E(X)f

" x P(x) =511 = 2.2

E(X) = L...,
= L X2 P(x) _ (n ; If
Var. (X) E(X2) - [E(X)]2 .
(n + 1)(2n + 1)
= L X2 P(x) -(2:2.)~._. 6

27
= 5 -4.84 =
= 5.4 - 4.84 = 0.56
Then a= ~var.x;=~(n21;1)
a = ~Var. X = ~0.56 = 0.7483
70. Given: 72. E(X) L x P(x) = 0 + 3q2p + 6qp2 + 3p 3

x P(x) x P(x) X2 P(x) = 3p[q2 + 2qp + p2] = 3p(p + q)2

1 1 1 = 3p (If = 3p .: p + q = 1 given.
- 1 5
-
5 5
73. Given that
2 0 0
0 5
2 2 2
P(x) = { n(;; 1) • x = 1. 2•... n;
1 5 5 5 otherwise

1 3 We have,
Total 5 5
n ( 2x )
E(X) = L x P(x) = = 0.2 t E(X) = LXP(x)= X~l x n(n+ 1)

G2!]
Mathematics Probability Distribution

n
76. Sol. :Two cards out of 1, 1, 2, 2, 3 can be drawn in
E(X) n(n 2+ 1) '"
£..., x 2 following 5 ways.
x=1
2 n(n + 1)(2n + 1) (1, 1), (2,2), (1, 2), (1, 3), (2, 3).
= n(n + 1) x 6
In each case the sum is 2, 4,3,4,5.
2n + 1
E(X) = 3 The probability distribution is

x=x
I P(X = x)
Var. (X) = E(X2) - [E(X)f

= Ln X2. P(x) - [2-E 3+ 1J2 2

1
5
--
x=l i 1

::::± X2 [n(;:: 1)J - [2n 3+ 1 J I

3 5

x=l

_.L._~"
:::: n(n + 1) L...
x=l
x-\:
3 (2n +
3
1)2 r
~
4

5
I
L-
2
5
I

5 _
_ 2 !I2(n + Il _(2n + 1)2 E(X) ::: LX P(x)
- n(n + 1) x 4 \ 3

n(n + 1) (~n3+ 1)2 = (2) (t) + (3) (t) + (4) (~) + (5) G)
= 2 -
18
::: 5
(n + 2)(n -- 1)
= 18
:::: 3.6
74. To find value of k, we have total probability = 1.
77. X = 1, 2, 3, ... , n and probability of each x is the
" P(X = 1) + P(X = 2) + P(X::: 3) =1 same.
" kxl+kx2+kx3::::1
P ()Xi = n1 .,
ror each
.
1.
1
" 6k:::: 1 :. k=6"
Now E(X) = LXi P(Xi)
75. When 2 coins are tossed, there are 22 =4 possible
outcomes HH, HT, TH, TT.
.. E(X) = L (i) (~) = ~ [1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n)
1 n(n + 1) n+1
If X denote the number of heads and Y denote the .. ECX) = n 2 =-2-
corresponding winning amount, we have to find E (Y)
and Var (Y) Var. (X) = L X2P(x) - iE(X)]2

w 3 ly
x y P(y) y2 F(y)
2 + ... + n2] _ (n;
0 1 4
1 j Y 1
4
:::: ~ [12 + 22 +

.1 (n + 1)(2n + 1) (n + 1)2
2 8 n 6 4
1 2
4 4' I 4
_ (n + 1) (2n + 1) (n + II_~-1
1 5 25 - 6 4 - 12
2 5 4 4 4
n2 -1
10 34 =12
Total 4" =2.5 4" :::8.5
If Var. eX) = E(X)
E(Y) ::: 2: y P(y) ::::2.5 n2 - 1 n+ 1
Var. (Y) = E(y2) - [E(y)f then 12:::: -2-
= L y2 P(y) -. (2.5)2 .. n2 - 1 :::: 6n+6

= 8.5 - 6.25 .. n2 - 6n-7 0

.. (n -7)(n + 1) :::: 0
4

Mathematics Probability Distribution

119
:. n 7 or - 1
>

But n := - 1 is not acceptable

== 1 -,- J e e- 8x
dx

:. n=7.
° x= 1/8
== 1 + re-eX]x=o
78. Given:
l
== 1 + [e- - eOJ
__ {kx(1 - x) , 0 < x < 1;
f(x) 1
o ,otherwise 1+--1
e
If f(x) is p.d.f. of a r.v. X, then we have 1
1 = e
J f(x) dx == 1
o 81. Given: f(x) == {-o; ,Os x ::;;5;
i

J kx (1 - x) dx ==
, otherwise
y
° 1

k J (x - XZ) dx ==

° 1
5"
----------~O+-~---5O-------·X
.. k[ G- ~ - (0 - 0)] == The graph of f(x) is as shown by bold type.

1 P(waiting time is between 1 and 3 minutes)

.. -k ==
6 == P(l < X < 3)
k 6 3 3

80. Given: f(x) == {

"Se-ex , 0::;; x <00, 8>0; == J f(x) dx == J ~ dx
o , . otherwise
1 I

1 x =3 1
Now p(x>i) == I-p(x::;;i) = 5 [xJx = 1 == 5 [3 - 1J

2
1/8 = 5:= 0.4
:= 1 - J f(x) dx
°

I 9.15.f