SL 4.

7 Discrete Random Variables [217 marks]

1. [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]

2. [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]

3. [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]

4. [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]

5. [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]
6. [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]

7. [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]

8. [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]

9. [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]

10. [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]

11. [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]
12.

(a)

(b)

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

⎧ 3a

f (x) = ⎨ a (x − 5) (1 − x)
⎩
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

Find the value of

(c.i)

(c.ii)

(c.iii)
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.
, 3 < b ⩽ 5.

[4]

[4]

[4]

[3]

[4]
13. [Maximum mark: 6] 19M.1.SL.TZ2.S_1
The following table shows the probability distribution of a discrete random
variable X .

(a) Find the value of k. [3]

(b) Find E (X). [3]

14. [Maximum mark: 16] 19M.2.SL.TZ1.S_10
There are three fair six-sided dice. Each die has two green faces, two yellow faces
and two red faces.

All three dice are rolled.

(a.i) Find the probability of rolling exactly one red face. [2]

(a.ii) Find the probability of rolling two or more red faces. [3]

Ted plays a game using these dice. The rules are:

Having a turn means to roll all three dice.

He wins $10 for each green face rolled and adds this to his winnings.
After a turn Ted can either:
end the game (and keep his winnings), or
have another turn (and try to increase his winnings).
If two or more red faces are rolled in a turn, all winnings are lost and the
game ends.

(b) Show that, after a turn, the probability that Ted adds exactly $10
to his winnings is 1

3
. [5]

The random variable D ($) represents how much is added to his winnings after a
turn.

The following table shows the distribution for D, where $w represents his
winnings in the game so far.

(c.i) Write down the value of x. [1]

(c.ii) Hence, find the value of y. [2]

(d) Ted will always have another turn if he expects an increase to

his winnings.

Find the least value of w for which Ted should end the game
instead of having another turn. [3]
15. [Maximum mark: 16] 19M.2.AHL.TZ2.H_10
Steffi the stray cat often visits Will’s house in search of food. Let X be the discrete
random variable “the number of times per day that Steffi visits Will’s house”.

The random variable X can be modelled by a Poisson distribution with mean

2.1.

(a) Find the probability that on a randomly selected day, Steffi does
not visit Will’s house. [2]

Let Y be the discrete random variable “the number of times per day that Steffi is
fed at Will’s house”. Steffi is only fed on the first four occasions that she visits each
day.

(b) Copy and complete the probability distribution table for Y.

[4]

(c) Hence find the expected number of times per day that Steffi is
fed at Will’s house. [3]

(d) In any given year of 365 days, the probability that Steffi does
not visit Will for at most n days in total is 0.5 (to one decimal
place). Find the value of n. [3]

(e) Show that the expected number of occasions per year on which
Steffi visits Will’s house and is not fed is at least 30. [4]
16. [Maximum mark: 15] 18N.1.SL.TZ0.S_9
A bag contains n marbles, two of which are blue. Hayley plays a game in which
she randomly draws marbles out of the bag, one after another, without
replacement. The game ends when Hayley draws a blue marble.

(a.i) Find the probability, in terms of n, that the game will end on
her first draw. [1]

(a.ii) Find the probability, in terms of n, that the game will end on
her second draw. [3]

Let n = 5. Find the probability that the game will end on her

(b.i) third draw. [2]

(b.ii) fourth draw. [2]

(c) Hayley plays the game when n = 5. She pays $20 to play and
can earn money back depending on the number of draws it
takes to obtain a blue marble. She earns no money back if she
obtains a blue marble on her first draw. Let M be the amount of
money that she earns back playing the game. This information
is shown in the following table.

Find the value of k so that this is a fair game. [7]

17. [Maximum mark: 5] 18M.1.AHL.TZ1.H_3
Two unbiased tetrahedral (four-sided) dice with faces labelled 1, 2, 3, 4 are
thrown and the scores recorded. Let the random variable T be the maximum of
these two scores.

The probability distribution of T is given in the following table.

(a) Find the value of a and the value of b. [3]

(b) Find the expected value of T. [2]

18. [Maximum mark: 6] 18M.1.AHL.TZ2.H_3

The discrete random variable X has the following probability distribution, where
p is a constant.

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

(b.i) Find μ, the expected value of X. [2]

(b.ii) Find P(X > μ). [2]

19. [Maximum mark: 6] 18M.2.SL.TZ1.S_2
A biased four-sided die is rolled. The following table gives the probability of
each score.

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

(b) Calculate the expected value of the score. [2]

(c) The die is rolled 80 times. On how many rolls would you expect
to obtain a three? [2]
20. [Maximum mark: 17] 18M.2.SL.TZ2.S_10
The mass M of apples in grams is normally distributed with mean μ. The following
table shows probabilities for values of M.

(a.i) Write down the value of k. [2]

(a.ii) Show that μ = 106. [2]

(b) Find P(M < 95) . [5]

The apples are packed in bags of ten.

Any apples with a mass less than 95 g are classified as small.

(c) Find the probability that a bag of apples selected at random

contains at most one small apple. [3]

(d.i) Find the expected number of bags in this crate that contain at
most one small apple. [3]

(d.ii) Find the probability that at least 48 bags in this crate contain at
most one small apple. [2]
21. [Maximum mark: 8] 17N.2.SL.TZ0.S_4
A discrete random variable X has the following probability distribution.

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

(b) Write down P(X = 2). [1]

(c) Find P(X = 2|X > 0). [3]

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