A’ LEVEL

STATISTICS
DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLES TEST 1
TIME: 1 hour
45 marks
𝑨𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔.
[If a numerical answer cannot be given exactly, and the accuracy
required is not specified in the question, then in the case of an angle
it should be given correct to the nearest degree, and in other cases it
should be given to 2 significant figures.]

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Sharewell B. C

1. The probability density function of a discrete random variable X is given by

𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 𝑘𝑥 for 𝑥=12, 13, 14.
Write out the probability distribution and find the value of 𝑘. [5]

2. The discrete random variable X can take values 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10. Given that 𝑝3 =
0.1, 𝑝5 = 0.05, 𝑝6 = 0.45 and 𝑝8 = 3𝑝, calculate 𝑝10. [5]

3. X has a probability distribution as shown in the table.

𝑥 1 2 3 4 5
1 3 1 1
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 𝑎
10 10 5 20

a) Find the value of 𝑎. [3]

b) Find 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 4). [3]
c) Find 𝑃(𝑋 < 1). [3]
d) Find 𝑃(2 ≤ 𝑋 < 4). [3]

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 4. The discrete random variable R has p.d.f 𝑃(𝑅 = 𝑟) = 𝑐(3 − 𝑟) for 𝑟 = 0, 1, 2, 3.

a) Find the value the constant 𝑐. [3]

b) Find 𝑃(1 ≤ 𝑅 < 3). [3]

5. The probability distribution of a random variable X is as shown in the table:

𝑥 1 2 3 4 5

𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 0.1 0.3 𝑦 0.2 0.1

Find
a) the value of 𝑦. [3]
b) E(X) [3]

6. A bag contains five black counters and six red counters. Two counters are drawn,
one at a time, and not replaced. Let X be ‘the number of red counters drawn’. Find
E(X). [4]

7. An unbiased tetrahedral die has faces marked 1, 2, 3, 4. If the die lands on the face
marked 1, the player has to play 10 USD.
If it lands on a face marked with a 2 or a 4, the player wins 5 USD and if it lands on a
3, the player wins 3 USD. Find the expected gain in one throw. [5]

8. A discrete random variable X can take values 10 and 20 only. If E(X)= 16, write out
the probability distribution of X. [7]

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Sharewell B. C

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 A’ LEVEL
STATISTICS
DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLES TEST 2
TIME: 1 hour
45 marks
𝑨𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔.
[If a numerical answer cannot be given exactly, and the accuracy
required is not specified in the question, then in the case of an angle
it should be given correct to the nearest degree, and in other cases it
should be given to 2 significant figures.]

schingwingwi7@gmail.com / +263784089807
Sharewell B. C

1. A discrete random variable X can take values 0, 1, 2, and 3 only. Given that
𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 2) = 0.9, 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 1) = 0.5 and 𝐸(𝑋) = 1.4, find

a) 𝑃(𝑋 = 1), [3]

b) 𝑃(𝑋 = 0). [3]

2. The discrete random variable X has p.d.f 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 𝑘 for 𝑥 = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Find

a) 𝐸(𝑋), [3]
b) 𝐸(𝑋 2 ) [4]
c) 𝐸(3𝑋 + 4) [3]
d) 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋) [3]

3. The discrete random variable X has probability function given by

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 1
( )𝑥 𝑥 = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
𝑝(𝑥) = { 2
𝑐 𝑥=6
0 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒,
where 𝑐 is a constant.
Determine the value of 𝑐 and hence the mode and mean of X. [7]
4. A team of three is to be chosen from four boys and five girls. If X is the random
variable ‘the number of girls in the team’, find

a) 𝐸(𝑋) [3]
b) 𝐸(𝑋 2 ) [3]
c) 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋) [3]

5. For the discrete random variable X the cumulative distribution function 𝐹(𝑥) is as
shown:
𝑥 3 4 5 6 7

𝐹(𝑥) 0.01 0.23 0.64 0.86 1

Construct the probability distribution of X, and find 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋). [7]

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Sharewell B. C

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 SOLUTIONS

TO

DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLES

TEST (1 - 2)

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 A’ LEVEL
STATISTICS
DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLES TEST 1

SOLUTION

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Sharewell B. C

1. The probability density function of a discrete random variable X is given by

𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 𝑘𝑥 for 𝑥=12, 13, 14.
Write out the probability distribution and find the value of 𝑘. [5]

SOLUTION

To find 𝑘 probability of the p.d.f must be = 1

∴ 12𝑘 + 13𝑘 + 14𝑘 = 1
1
𝑘 = 39

Hence, p.d.f;
𝑥 12 13 14

12 13 14
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 39 39 39

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 2. The discrete random variable X can take values 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10. Given that 𝑝3 =
0.1, 𝑝5 = 0.05, 𝑝6 = 0.45 and 𝑝8 = 3𝑝, calculate 𝑝10. [5]

SOLUTION
𝑥 3 5 6 8 10

𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 0.1 0.05 0.45 3𝑝10 𝑝10

∴ 𝑇𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑝10 , 𝑝. 𝑑. 𝑓 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 = 1

(0.1 + 0.05 + 0.45 + 3𝑝10 + 𝑝10 ) = 1
4𝑝10 = 0.4
𝟑
𝒑𝟏𝟎 = 𝟐𝟎

3. X has a probability distribution as shown in the table.

𝑥 1 2 3 4 5
1 3 1 1
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 𝑎
10 10 5 20

a) Find the value of 𝑎. [3]

b) Find 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 4). [3]
c) Find 𝑃(𝑋 < 1). [3]
d) Find 𝑃(2 ≤ 𝑋 < 4). [3]

SOLUTION

1 3 1 1
a) ( + + 𝑎 + + ) = 1
10 10 5 20
𝟕
𝒂=
𝟐𝟎

1 1 𝟏
b) 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 4) = + =
5 20 𝟒

c) 𝑃(𝑋 < 1) = 𝟎

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 3 7 𝟏𝟑
d) 𝑃(2 ≤ 𝑋 < 4) = + =
10 20 𝟐𝟎

4. The discrete random variable R has p.d.f 𝑃(𝑅 = 𝑟) = 𝑐(3 − 𝑟) for 𝑟 = 0, 1, 2, 3.

a) Find the value the constant 𝑐. [3]

b) Find 𝑃(1 ≤ 𝑅 < 3). [3]

SOLUTION

a) {𝑐(3 − 0) + 𝑐(3 − 1) + 𝑐(3 − 2) + 𝑐(3 − 3)} = 1

3𝑐 + 2𝑐 + 𝑐 + 0 = 1
6𝑐 = 1
𝟏
𝒄=
𝟔
3 2 𝟓
b) 𝑃(1 ≤ 𝑅 < 3) = + =
6 6 𝟔

5. The probability distribution of a random variable X is as shown in the table:

𝑥 1 2 3 4 5

𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 0.1 0.3 𝑦 0.2 0.1

Find
a) the value of 𝑦. [3]
b) E(X) [3]

SOLUTION

a) (0.1 + 0.3 + 𝑦 + 0.2 + 0.1) = 1

𝑦 = 1 − 0.7
𝒚 = 𝟎. 𝟑

b) 𝐸(𝑋) = {(1 × 0.1) + (2 × 0.3) + (3 × 0.3) + (4 × 0.2) + (5 × 0.1)} = 𝟐. 𝟗

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 6. A bag contains five black counters and six red counters. Two counters are drawn,
one at a time, and not replaced. Let X be ‘the number of red counters drawn’. Find
E(X). [4]

SOLUTION

5
11 B
5
10
B

6 R
11 R
5
10

6 6 5 𝟏𝟐
𝐸(𝑋) = (1 × 11) + (2 × (11 × 10)) = 𝟏𝟏

7. An unbiased tetrahedral die has faces marked 1, 2, 3, 4. If the die lands on the face
marked 1, the player has to play 10 USD.
If it lands on a face marked with a 2 or a 4, the player wins 5 USD and if it lands on a
3, the player wins 3 USD. Find the expected gain in one throw. [5]

SOLUTION

Let 𝑥 be the amount paid or gained on each throw

x -10 5 3

1 1 1
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 4 2 4

1 1 1 3
Expected gain; (−10 × 4) + (5 × 2) × (3 × 4) = 4 ≈ 𝑼𝑺𝑫𝟎. 𝟕𝟓

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 8. A discrete random variable X can take values 10 and 20 only. If E(X)= 16, write out
the probability distribution of X. [7]

SOLUTION

𝑥 10 20

𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 𝑎 𝑏

Now, (𝑝. 𝑑. 𝑓)∀ = 1

∴𝑎+𝑏 =1 ……..(1)
Since, E(X)=16
∴ 10𝑎 + 20𝑏 = 16 …………(2)
𝑎 =1−𝑏
10(1 − 𝑏) + 20𝑏 = 16
10 − 10𝑏 + 20𝑏 = 16
10𝑏 = 6
𝟔
𝒃 = 𝟏𝟎
𝟒
∴ 𝒂 = 𝟏𝟎

Now, p.d.f of X;
𝑥 10 20

4 6
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 10 10

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Sharewell B. C

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 A’ LEVEL
STATISTICS
DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLES TEST 2

SOLUTION

schingwingwi7@gmail.com / +263784089807
Sharewell B. C

1. A discrete random variable X can take values 0, 1, 2, and 3 only. Given that
𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 2) = 0.9, 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 1) = 0.5 and 𝐸(𝑋) = 1.4, find

a) 𝑃(𝑋 = 1), [3]

b) 𝑃(𝑋 = 0). [3]

SOLUTION

𝑥 0 1 2 3

𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑑

Now, 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 2) = 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 0.9………….(1)

𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 1) = 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 0.5 ……………………….(2)
𝐸(𝑋) = 𝑏 + 2𝑐 + 3𝑑 = 1.4
Now since 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 0.5, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛; 𝑐 = 0.9 − 0.5 = 0.4

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 Note; if 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 0.9, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑝. 𝑑. 𝑓∀ = 1 ∴ 𝑑 = 1 − 0.9 = 0.1

a) ∴ 𝑃(𝑋 = 1) = 𝑏 = (1.4 − (2 × 0.4) − (3 × 0.1)) = 𝟎. 𝟑

b) 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦, 𝑎 = 𝑃(𝑋 = 0) = 𝟎. 𝟐

2. The discrete random variable X has p.d.f 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 𝑘 for 𝑥 = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Find

a) 𝐸(𝑋), [3]
b) 𝐸(𝑋 2 ) [4]
c) 𝐸(3𝑋 + 4) [3]
d) 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋) [3]

SOLUTION

1
𝑘= ∗ (𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚)
6
1 1 1 1 1
a) 𝐸(𝑋) = { + (2 × ) + (3 × ) + (4 × ) + (5 × ) + 1}
6 6 6 6 6
𝟕
=
𝟐

1 1 1 1 1
b) 𝐸(𝑋 2 ) = { + (22 × ) + (32 × ) + (42 × ) + (52 × ) +
6 6 6 6 6
1
(62 × 6)}

𝟏
= 𝟏𝟓
𝟔

7
c) 𝐸(3𝑋 + 4) = 3𝐸(𝑋) + 𝐸(4) = (3 × ) + 4
2
= 𝟏𝟒. 𝟓

2) 2 (𝑋) 1 7 2
d) 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋) = 𝐸(𝑋 − (𝐸 ) = 15 6 − (2)
𝟑𝟓
=
𝟏𝟐

3. The discrete random variable X has probability function given by

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 1
( )𝑥 𝑥 = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
𝑝(𝑥) = { 2
𝑐 𝑥=6
0 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒,
where 𝑐 is a constant.
Determine the value of 𝑐 and hence the mode and mean of X. [7]
SOLUTION

1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1
𝑐 =1−{ +( ) +( ) +( ) +( ) }=
2 2 2 2 2 32

Mode = 𝟏
1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1
Now, 𝐸(𝑋) = { + 2 × ( ) + 3 × ( ) + 4 × ( ) + 5 × ( ) + (6 × )}
2 2 2 2 2 32

63
=
32
𝟑𝟏
=𝟏
𝟑𝟐

4. A team of three is to be chosen from four boys and five girls. If X is the random
variable ‘the number of girls in the team’, find

a) 𝐸(𝑋) [3]
b) 𝐸(𝑋 2 ) [3]
c) 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋) [3]

SOLUTION

Total number of ways a team can be chosen = 93𝐶 = 84

5
There could be no girl (0) = 0𝐶 × 43𝐶 = 4
There could be one girl (1) = 51𝐶 × 42𝐶 = 30
There could be two girls (2) = 52𝐶 × 41𝐶 = 40
There could be three girls (3) = 53𝐶 × 40𝐶 = 10

Now, p.d.f;

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 𝑥 0 1 2 3

4 30 40 10
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥)
84 84 84 84

30 40 10 5 𝟐
a) 𝐸(𝑋) = + (2 × ) + (3 × 84) = 3 = 𝟏 𝟑
84 84

30 40 10 10 𝟏
b) 𝐸(𝑋 2 ) = + (22 × ) + (32 × 84) = =𝟑
84 84 3 𝟑

2) 2 (𝑋) 10 5 2 𝟓
c) 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋) = 𝐸(𝑋 −𝐸 = −( ) =
3 3 𝟗

5. For the discrete random variable X the cumulative distribution function 𝐹(𝑥) is as
shown:
𝑥 3 4 5 6 7

𝐹(𝑥) 0.01 0.23 0.64 0.86 1

Construct the probability distribution of X, and find 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋). [7]

SOLUTION

𝑥 3 4 5 6 7

𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 0.01 (0.23-0.01) (0.64-0.23) (0.86-0.64) (1-0.86)

Now, p.d.f;
𝑥 3 4 5 6 7

𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 0.01 0.22 0.41 0.22 0.14

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 a) 𝐸(𝑋) = {(3 × 0.01) + (4 × 0.22) + (5 × 0.41) + (6 × 0.22) +
𝟏𝟑
(7 × 0.14)} = 𝟓
𝟓𝟎

b) 𝐸(𝑋 2 ) = {(32 × 0.01) + (42 × 0.22) + (52 × 0.41) + (62 × 0.22) +

𝟏𝟔
(72 × 0.14)} = 𝟐𝟖
𝟐𝟓
2
2 16 13 𝟐𝟒𝟑𝟏
𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋) = 𝐸(𝑋 2 ) − (𝐸 (𝑋)) = 28 − (5 ( )) = ≈ 𝟎. 𝟗𝟕𝟐𝟒
25 50 𝟐𝟓𝟎𝟎

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Sharewell B. C

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