Topic

Probability Distribution
Continuous Uniform (rectangular) Distribution
(Continuous Probability Distribution)
Prepared by:
Dr. Sunil
NIT Hamirpur (HP)
(Last updated on 17-11-2007)

Continuous Uniform Distribution:

The probability density function f(X) of a continuous random variable X having
uniform distribution over the interval [a, b] is given by
K , constant a ≤ x ≤ b
U[a , b] = f (X) = 
0, otherwise
Here X is uniformly distributed over the interval [a, b].
∞ b
1
Since ∫ f ( x )dx = 1 we have ∫ Kdx = 1 ⇒ (b − a )K = 1 ⇒ K =
b−a
.
−∞ a

So the constant k is the reciprocal of the length of the interval.

Thus, the continuous uniform distribution takes the form
 1
 if a ≤ x ≤ b
U[a , b] = f (X ) =  b − a (i)
0
 otherwise

The density (i) is uniform in value over the interval [a, b].
Since the graph of the distribution is rectangular, so this uniform distribution is also
known as rectangular distribution. The constants a and b, which are known as the
parameters, completely determines the distribution (i).
Mean and Variance:

1  b K +1 − a K +1 
b b
 1 
( )
Since E X K = ∫ x K f ( x )dx = ∫ x K 
 b − a
dx =
 b − a  K + 1 
,
a a  
we get the mean and variance of the uniform distribution as

b2 − a 2 b+a
µ = E (X ) = 2
=
(b − a ) 2
Continuous uniform distribution Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur (HP) 2

2
and σ 2 = E(X 2 ) − µ 2 =
b3 − a 3  b + a 
−
(b − a )2 .
 =
(b − a ).3  2  12

Solving a = µ − 3σ , b = µ + 3σ .
The cumulative distribution function F(x):
x
(i). when x ≤ a , F( x ) = ∫ 0dx = 0 .
−∞

x a x
1 1
(ii). when a ≤ x ≤ b , F( x ) = ∫ = ∫ 0dx + ∫ .dx = 0 + (x − a ) = x − a .
−∞ −∞ a
b−a b−a b−a

x a b x
1 1
(iii). when x > b , F( x ) = ∫ = ∫ 0dx + ∫
b−a
.dx + ∫ 0dx =
b−a
(b − a ) = 1 .
−∞ −∞ a b

Thus
0 when x < a

x - a
F( x ) =  when a ≤ x ≤ b
b - a
1 when x > b

Now, for any subinterval [c, d], where a ≤ c ≤ d ≤ b , the probability, that x lies in
the interval [c, d], is given by
d d
1 d−c
P(c ≤ X ≤ d ) = ∫ f ( x )dx = ∫ dx = .
c c
b−a b−a

d−c
⇒ P(c ≤ X ≤ d ) == .
b−a
Thus, the probability depends only on the length of the interval (d – c) but not on the
location of that interval in [a, b]. Therefore, in continuous uniform distribution, the
probability is same (uniform) for all subintervals having the same length.

Now let us solve some problems:

Q.No.1.: If X is uniformly distributed in − 2 ≤ x ≤ 2 , find

 1
(a) P (X < 1) , (b) P [X − 1] ≥  .
 2
Sol.: (a). Since X<1, it lies in the interval [− 2, 1] , of length 3. Then
1 − (−2) 3
P( x < 1) = = . Ans.
2 − (− 2 ) 4
Continuous uniform distribution Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur (HP) 3

1 1 1 3 
(b). If X − 1 ≥ then X ≥ and x ≤ , i.e., x lies in the two intervals  , 2 and
2 2 2 2 
 1
− 2, 2  .
 
1 3
− (− 2 ) 2−
 1  1 3  2 2
So P X − 1 ≥  = P − 2 ≤ X ≤  + P ≤ X ≤ 2  = +
 2  2 2  2 − (− 2 ) 2 − (−2)

5 1
+
3
= 2 2 = . Ans.
4 4
Q.No.2.: If X is uniformly distributed in [− α, α] with α = 0 , then determine α such
1
that P(X > 1) = .
3
Sol.: If α < 1 , then P(X > 1) should be zero since X lies outside the given interval
[− α, α] . Therefore, α must be greater than 1.
α −1 α −1 2
Now P(X) > 1 = = = ⇒ α = 3 . Ans.
α − (− α ) 2α 3
Q.No.3.: A bus travels between two cities A and B which are 100 miles apart. If the bus
has a breakdown, the distance X of the point of breakdown from city A has a
uniform distribution U[0, 100].
(a). There are service garages in the city A, city B and midway between cities
A and B. If a breakdown occurs, a tow truck is sent from the garage closet to
the point of breakdown. What is the probability that the tow truck has to travel
more than 10 miles to reach the bus.
(b). Would it be more “efficient” if the three service garages were placed at 25,
50 and 75 mils from city A? Explain.
Sol.: (a). If the bus breaks down in the interval [10, 40] miles or [60, 90] miles, then the
bus has to be towed for more than 10 miles.
So probability that the bus has to be towed for more than 10 miles = probability that X
lies in the intervals [10, 40] or [60, 90].
Thus, the required probability is given by P(10 < X < 40 or 60 < X < 90)
= P(10 < X < 40) + P(60 < X < 90)
40 − 10 90 − 60 3 3 3
= + = + = . Ans.
100 − 0 100 − 0 10 10 5
(b). Suppose three garages are placed at 25, 50, 75 miles from city A.
Continuous uniform distribution Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur (HP) 4

In this case, the bus is to be towed for more than 10 miles if the bus breakdown in any of
the four intervals (10, 15), (35, 40), (60, 65) or (85, 90) miles.
Thus, the required probability is given by
P(10 < X < 15 or 35 < X < 40 or 60 < X <65 or 85 < X < 90)
= P(10 < X < 15) + P(35 < X < 40) + P(60 < X < 65) + P(85 < X < 90)
15 − 10 40 − 35 65 − 60 90 − 85 20 1
+ + + = = . Ans.
100 − 0 100 − 0 100 − 0 100 − 0 100 5
1 3
Since the probability is small   compared to   in the case a, b is more “effective”.
5 5
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Home Assignment
Q.No.1.: A point is chosen at random from the line segment [0, 2]. What is the
probability that the chosen point lies:
3 3
(a). 1 ≤ X ≤ (b). X ≥ (c). X ≤ 1 (d). X ≥ 3 .
2 2
3 1 1  31 1 1 1
Ans.: (a).  − 1 = (b).  2 −  = (c). (1 − 0 ) = (d). 0.
2 2 4  2 2 4 2 2
Q.No.2.: If X is uniformly distributed in [− α, α ] with α > 0 , then find α such that

 1
P X <  = 0.7 .
 2
5
Ans.: α = .
4
Q.No.3.: If a conference room cannot be reserved for more than 4 hours, find the
probability that a given conference lasts more than three hours.
1
Ans.: .
4
Q.No.4.: The daily amount X of coffee, in liters dispensed by a machine is uniformly
distributed with a = 7, b = 10. Determine the probability that the amount of
coffee dispensed by the machine will be
(a) at most 8.8 (b). more than 7.4 but less than 9.5 (c) at least 8.5 liters.
Ans.: (a). 0.6 (b). 0.7 (c). 0.5
Q.No.5.: The driving time X from house to bus station is uniformly distributed U[10,
50]. If it takes 2 minutes to board the bus, determine the probability that person
catches the 6.00 pm bus if he start at 5.43 pm at his house.
Continuous uniform distribution Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur (HP) 5

15 − 10 1
Ans.: P(X ≤ 15) = = = 0.125 .
50 − 10 8
Q.No.6.: Find the third and fourth moment about the mean of a uniform distribution.

Ans.: 0,
(b − a )2 .
80
Q.No.7.: A bus arrives every 10 minutes at a bus stop. Assuming waiting time X for bus
is uniformly distributed find the probability that a person has to wait for the
bus
(a). for more than 7 minutes (b). between 2 and seven minutes.
10 − 7 3 7−2 5
Ans.: (a). = = 0.3 (b). = = 0. 5 .
10 − 0 10 10 − 0 10
4
Q.No.8.: If X is uniformly distributed with mean 1 and variance . Find P(X < 0).
3
1
Ans.: .
4
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