Statistics 4705: Homework 3

Problem 1: Random Variables

(10 pts)

Classify the following random variables as discrete or continuous:

a. X: the number of automobile accidents per year in Virginia. Discrete
b. Y : the length of time to play 18 holes of golf. Continuous
c. M : the amount of milk produced yearly by a cow. Continuous
d. N : the number of eggs laid each month by a hen. Discrete
e. P : the number of building permits issued each month in a certain city. Discrete

Problem 2: Discrete Distributions

(10 pts)

Determine the value of c so that the following function can serve as a probability distribution
of the discrete random variable X.
 

2
3
f (x) = c
; x = 0, 1, 2
x 3x
2
X

f (x) = 1

x=0
2
X

f (x) =

x=0

=
=
=

 

2
X
2
3
c
x 3x
x=0
h23 23 23i
c
+
+
0 3
1 2
2 1
10c
1

c = 1/10

Problem 3: Discrete Distributions

(25 pts)

The probability distribution of X, the number of imperfections per 10 meters of a synthetic

fabric in continuous rolls of uniform width, is given by
x
0
f (x) 0.41

1
0.37

2
0.16

3
0.05

4
0.01

a. What is the probability that you will find between 1 and 3 imperfections inclusive?
P (1 X 3) = f (1) + f (2) + f (3) = 0.41 + 0.37 + 0.16 = 0.94
b. What is the probability that you will find between 1 and 3 imperfections non inclusive?
P (1 < X < 3) = P (X = 2) = 0.16
c. Find the cumulative distribution function F (x).
x
f (x)
F (x)

0
0.41
0.41

1
0.37
0.78

2
0.16
0.94

3
0.05
0.99

4
0.01
1

d. Plot the probability distribution function.

0.2
0.0

0.1

f(x)

0.3

0.4

Probability Density Function

2
x

e. Plot the cumulative distribution function.

0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

F(x)

Cumulative Density Function

Problem 4: Discrete Distributions

(15 pts)

An investment firm offers its customers municipal bonds that mature after varying numbers
of years. Given that the cumulative distribution function of T , the number of years to
maturity for a randomly selected bond is,

0
t<1

1 t < 3,

1
3 t < 5,
2
F (t) =

5 t < 7,

1
t 7,
find:
a. P (T > 3)
P (T > 3) = 1 P (X 3) = 1 F (3) = 1 1/2 = 1/2
b. P (1.4 < T < 6)
P (1.4 < T < 6) = F (6) F (1.4) = 3/4 1/4 = 1/2
c. Find the probability distribution function for T , f (t).
t f (t)
1 1/4
3 1/4
5 1/4
7 1/4
3

F (t)
1/4
2/4
3/4
4/4

Problem 5: Continuous Distributions

(10 pts)

The proportion of people who respond to a certain mail order solicitation is a continuous
random variable X that has the density function
 2(x+2)
, 0 < x < 1,
5
f (x) =
0
otherwise
a. Show that P (0 < X < 1) = 1
Z

P (0 < X < 1) =
0

1
2(x + 2)
(x + 2)2 
dx =
 =1

5
5
0

b. Find the probability that more than 1/4 but fewer than 1/2 of the people contacted will
respond to this type of solicitation.
Z

1/2

P (1/4 < X < 1/2) =

1/4

1/2
(x + 2)2 
2(x + 2)
dx =
 = 19/80 = 0.2375

5
5
1/4

Problem 6: Continuous Probability Density Functions

(15 pts)

The waiting time, in hours, between successive speeders spotted by a radar unit is a continuos
random variable with cumulative distribution function

0,
x < 0,
F (x) =
1 e8x , x 0
Find the probability of waiting less than 12 minutes between successive speeders
a. (5 pt) using the cumulative distribution function of X;
P (X < 0.2) = F (0.2) = 1 e80.2 = 1 e1.6 = 0.7981
b. (10 pt) using the probability density function of X. (Hint: Need to find the probability
density function first)
dF (x)
f (x) =
= 8e8x ; x > 0
dx
Z 0.2
0.2

P (X < 0.2) = 8
e8x dx = e8x  = 0.7981
0

Problem 7: Continuous Probability Density Functions

(15 pts)

Consider the density function


k x, 0 < x < 1,
f (x) =
0
otherwise
1. Evaluate k
Z

f (x)dx = 1
0

k x
0
1
2k 3/2 
x 
=

3
0
2k
=
3
= 1
Z

f (x)dx =
0

k = 3/2
2. Find F (x), the cumulative density function of X.
 3
x, 0 < x < 1,
2
f (x) =
0
otherwise

Z
F (x) =
0

x

3
3/2 
tdt = t  = x3/2 , 0 < x < 1

2
0

3. Use F (x) to find P (0.3 < X < 0.6).

P (0.3 < X < 0.6) = F (0.6) F (0.3) = 0.63/2 0.33/2 = 0.3004