Topic 4 - Random Variables [197 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 7] SPM.1.AHL.TZ0.7

A continuous random variable X has the probability density function f
given by

πx πx
sin ( ), 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 6
f (x) = {
36 6
.
0, otherwise

Find P(0 ≤ X ≤ 3). [7]

2. [Maximum mark: 6] SPM.2.AHL.TZ0.6

In a city, the number of passengers, X, who ride in a taxi has the following
probability distribution.

After the opening of a new highway that charges a toll, a taxi company
introduces a charge for passengers who use the highway. The charge is $ 2.40 per
taxi plus $ 1.20 per passenger. Let T represent the amount, in dollars, that is
charged by the taxi company per ride.

(a) Find E(T). [4]

(b) Given that Var(X) = 0.8419, find Var(T). [2]

3. [Maximum mark: 6] EXN.1.SL.TZ0.3
The following table shows the probability distribution of a discrete
random variable X where x = 1, 2, 3, 4.

Find the value of k, justifying your answer. [6]

4. [Maximum mark: 6] 23M.1.SL.TZ2.2

Consider an arithmetic sequence with u 1 = 0. 6 and u 4 = 0. 15.

(a) Find the common difference, d. [2]

The following table shows the probability distribution of a discrete random

un
variable X such that P(X = n) =
k
, where n ∈ Z
+
,1 ≤ n ≤ 4 and

k ∈ R
+
.

n 1 2 3 4

0.6 u2 u3 0.15
P(X = n)
k k k k

(b) Find the value of k. [4]

5. [Maximum mark: 5] 23M.1.AHL.TZ2.6
A continuous random variable X has probability density function f defined by

1
, a ≤ x ≤ 3a
2a
f (x) = {
0, otherwise

where a is a positive real number.

(a) State E(X)in terms of a.

[1]

(b) Use integration to find Var(X) in terms of a. [4]

6. [Maximum mark: 8] 22N.2.AHL.TZ0.6

The continuous random variable X has a probability density function given by

x
axe , 0 ≤ x ≤ b
f (x) = {
0, otherwise

where a, b ∈ R
+
.

(a) Find an expression for a in terms of b. [5]

(b) In the case where a = b = 1, find the median of X . [3]

7. [Maximum mark: 16] 22M.1.SL.TZ2.9
A biased four-sided die with faces labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4 is rolled and the result
recorded. Let X be the result obtained when the die is rolled. The probability
distribution for X is given in the following table where p and q are constants.

For this probability distribution, it is known that E(X) = 2.

(a) Show that p = 0. 4 and q = 0. 2. [5]

(b) Find P(X > 2). [2]

Nicky plays a game with this four-sided die. In this game she is allowed a
maximum of five rolls. Her score is calculated by adding the results of each roll.
Nicky wins the game if her score is at least ten.

After three rolls of the die, Nicky has a score of four.

(c) Assuming that rolls of the die are independent, find the
probability that Nicky wins the game. [5]

David has two pairs of unbiased four-sided dice, a yellow pair and a red pair.

Both yellow dice have faces labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4. Let S represent the sum
obtained by rolling the two yellow dice. The probability distribution for S is
shown below.

The first red die has faces labelled 1, 2, 2 and 3. The second red die has

faces labelled 1, a, a and b, where a < b and a, b ∈ Z

+
. The probability
 distribution for the sum obtained by rolling the red pair is the same as the
distribution for the sum obtained by rolling the yellow pair.
(d) Determine the value of b. [2]

(e) Find the value of a, providing evidence for your answer. [2]

8. [Maximum mark: 8] 22M.1.AHL.TZ1.7

The continuous random variable X has probability density function

k
, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
√ 4−3x 2
f (x) = {
0, otherwise.

(a) Find the value of k. [4]

(b) Find E(X). [4]

9.

f (x) = ⎨

⎪
[Maximum mark: 6]
A continuous random variable X has the probability density function

a ≤ x ≤ b.
2

(b−a)(c−a)

(b−a)(b−c)

Given that c ≥
of a, b and c.
a+b

2
0,
(x − a),

(b − x),
a ≤ x ≤ c

c < x ≤ b.

otherwise

The following diagram shows the graph of y = f (x) for

22M.1.AHL.TZ2.8

, find an expression for the median of X in terms

[6]
10. [Maximum mark: 6] 22M.2.SL.TZ1.4
A discrete random variable, X , has the following probability distribution:

(a) Show that 2k 2 − k + 0. 12 = 0. [1]

(b) Find the value of k, giving a reason for your answer. [3]

(c) Hence, find E(X). [2]

11. [Maximum mark: 16] 21N.2.SL.TZ0.9
The random variable X follows a normal distribution with mean μ and standard
deviation σ.

(a) Find P(μ − 1. 5σ < X < μ + 1. 5σ). [3]

The avocados grown on a farm have weights, in grams, that are normally
distributed with mean μ and standard deviation σ. Avocados are categorized as
small, medium, large or premium, according to their weight. The following table
shows the probability an avocado grown on the farm is classified as small,
medium, large or premium.

The maximum weight of a small avocado is 106. 2 grams.

The minimum weight of a premium avocado is 182. 6 grams.

(b) Find the value of μ and of σ. [5]

A supermarket purchases all the avocados from the farm that weigh more than
106. 2 grams.

Find the probability that an avocado chosen at random from this purchase is
categorized as

(c.i) medium. [2]

(c.ii) large. [1]

(c.iii) premium. [1]

(d) The selling prices of the different categories of avocado at this

supermarket are shown in the following table:
 The supermarket pays the farm $ 200 for the avocados and
assumes it will then sell them in exactly the same proportion as
purchased from the farm.

According to this model, find the minimum number of

avocados that must be sold so that the net profit for the
supermarket is at least $ 438.
[4]

12. [Maximum mark: 6] 21N.2.AHL.TZ0.7

A continuous random variable X has a probability density function given by

arccos x 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
f (x) = {
0 otherwise

The median of this distribution is m.

(a) Determine the value of m. [2]

(b) Given that P (|X − m| ≤ a) = 0. 3, determine the value

of a. [4]
13. [Maximum mark: 16] 21M.1.SL.TZ1.9
A biased four-sided die, A, is rolled. Let X be the score obtained when die A is
rolled. The probability distribution for X is given in the following table.

(a) Find the value of p. [2]

(b) Hence, find the value of E(X) . [2]

A second biased four-sided die, B, is rolled. Let Y be the score obtained when
die B is rolled.
The probability distribution for Y is given in the following table.

(c.i) State the range of possible values of r. [1]

(c.ii) Hence, find the range of possible values of q. [2]

(d) Hence, find the range of possible values for E(Y ). [3]

(e) Agnes and Barbara play a game using these dice. Agnes rolls
die A once and Barbara rolls die B once. The probability that
Agnes’ score is less than Barbara’s score is 1

2
.

Find the value of E(Y ). [6]

14. [Maximum mark: 16] 21M.1.SL.TZ1.9
A biased four-sided die, A, is rolled. Let X be the score obtained when die A is
rolled. The probability distribution for X is given in the following table.

(a) Find the value of p. [2]

(b) Hence, find the value of E(X) . [2]

A second biased four-sided die, B, is rolled. Let Y be the score obtained when
die B is rolled.
The probability distribution for Y is given in the following table.

(c.i) State the range of possible values of r. [1]

(c.ii) Hence, find the range of possible values of q. [2]

(d) Hence, find the range of possible values for E(Y ). [3]

(e) Agnes and Barbara play a game using these dice. Agnes rolls
die A once and Barbara rolls die B once. The probability that
Agnes’ score is less than Barbara’s score is 1

2
.

Find the value of E(Y ). [6]

15. [Maximum mark: 15] 21M.2.SL.TZ2.9
All answers in this question should be given to four significant figures.

In a local weekly lottery, tickets cost $2 each.

In the first week of the lottery, a player will receive $D for each ticket, with the
probability distribution shown in the following table. For example, the
probability of a player receiving $10 is 0. 03. The grand prize in the first week
of the lottery is $1000.

(a) Find the value of c. [2]

(b) Determine whether this lottery is a fair game in the first week.
Justify your answer. [4]

If nobody wins the grand prize in the first week, the probabilities will remain the
same, but the value of the grand prize will be $2000 in the second week, and
the value of the grand prize will continue to double each week until it is won. All
other prize amounts will remain the same.

(c) Given that the grand prize is not won and the grand prize
continues to double, write an expression in terms of n for the
value of the grand prize in the nth week of the lottery. [2]

(d) The wth week is the first week in which the player is expected
to make a profit. Ryan knows that if he buys a lottery ticket in
the wth week, his expected profit is $p.

Find the value of p. [7]

16. [Maximum mark: 7] 21M.2.AHL.TZ1.7
A continuous random variable X has the probability density function f given
by
x
⎧ 0 ≤ x ≤ 4
3
√ (x 2 +k)
f (x) = ⎨
⎩
0 otherwise

where k ∈ R
+
.

(a) Show that √16 + k − √k = √ k√ 16 + k. [5]

(b) Find the value of k. [2]

17. [Maximum mark: 6] 21M.2.AHL.TZ2.6

A continuous random variable X has the probability density function f n given
by

n
(n + 1)x , 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
f n (x) = {
0, otherwise

where n ∈ R, n ≥ 0.

(a) Show that E(X) =

n+1
. [2]
n+2

(b) Show that Var(X) =

n+1
.
2
(n+2) (n+3)
[4]
18. [Maximum mark: 4] 20N.1.AHL.TZ0.H_1
A discrete random variable X has the probability distribution given by
the following table.

Given that E(X) =

19

12
, determine the value of p and the value of q. [4]

19. [Maximum mark: 6] 20N.2.SL.TZ0.S_3

A discrete random variable X has the following probability distribution.

(a) Find an expression for q in terms of p. [2]

(b.i) Find the value of p which gives the largest value of E(X). [3]

(b.ii) Hence, find the largest value of E(X). [1]

20. [Maximum mark: 5] 19N.1.AHL.TZ0.H_1
The probability distribution of a discrete random variable, X , is given by the
following table, where N and p are constants.

(a) Find the value of p. [2]

(b) Given that E (X) = 10, find the value of N . [3]

21. [Maximum mark: 7] 19N.2.SL.TZ0.S_7

The following table shows the probability distribution of a discrete random
variable X , where a ⩾ 0 and b ⩾ 0.

(a) Show that b = 0.3 − a. [1]

(b) Find the difference between the greatest possible expected

value and the least possible expected value. [6]
22.

(c.i)

(c.ii)

(c.iii)

⎪
[Maximum mark: 19]
A random variable X has probability density function

⎧ 3a

f (x) = ⎨ a (x − 5) (1 − x)

(a)
⎩
0
,

,
0 ⩽ x < 2

2 ⩽ x ⩽ b

otherwise
a, b ∈ R
19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_10

Find, in terms of a, the probability that X lies between 1 and 3.

Consider the case where b

(b)

a.

E (X).

the median of X .
= 5.

Sketch the graph of f . State the coordinates of the end points

and any local maximum or minimum points, giving your
answers in terms of a.

Find the value of

© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2024

, 3 < b ⩽ 5.

[4]

[4]

[4]

[3]

[4]