CHAPTER THREE

Chapter 3
Discrete Random Variables and
Probability Distributions
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Section 3.1
1.

There are two fundamentally different types of random variables; __________ and continuous
random variables.
ANSWER: discrete

2.

For a given sample space S of an experiment, a __________ is any rule that associates a number
with each possible outcome in S.
ANSWER: random variable

3.

Any random variable whose only possible values are 0 and 1 is called a __________ random
variable; a special name given after the individual who first studied it.
ANSWER: Bernoulli

4.

The tension (psi) at which a randomly selected tennis racket has been strung is an example of a
__________ random variable.
ANSWER: continuous

Section 3.2
5.

For any discrete random variable X, the graph of the cumulative distribution function F(x) will
have a jump at every possible value x of X, and will be flat between possible values. Such a graph
is called a __________.
ANSWER: step function

36

CHAPTER THREE
6.

The probability mass function of a discrete random variable X is defined as p(x) = ax for x =
1,2,3,4, then the value of a is __________.
ANSWER: .10

7.

The cumulative distribution function F(x) of a discrete random variable X is: F(1) = .4, F(2) = .7,
F(3) =.9, and F(4) = 1, then the value of the probability mass function p(x) at X = 3 is _________.
ANSWER: .20

8.

The probability mass function p(x) of a discrete random variable X is p(0) = .15, p(1) = .30, p(2)
= .20, p(3) = .10, and p(4) = .25, then the value of the cumulative distribution function F(x) at X =
2 is __________.
ANSWER: .65

Section 3.3
9.

If we conceptualize a population consisting of 0s in proportion 1-p and 1s in proportion p, then

the population mean is = __________.
ANSWER: p

10.

If the expected value of a discrete random variable X is E(X) = 5, then E(2X + 3) is __________.
ANSWER: 13

11.

2
Let X be a discrete random variable with E(X) = 4.5 and E ( X ) = 26.25, then the variance of X is
V(X) = __________.

ANSWER: 6
12.

2
Let X be a discrete random variable with E ( X ) = 19.75 and V(X) = 16.3275, then E(X) =
__________.

ANSWER: 1.85

Section 3.4
13.

Suppose each trial of an experiment can result in S or F, but the sampling is without replacement
from a population of size N, as a rule of thumb. If the sample size n is at most __________% of
the population size N, the experiment can be analyzed as though it were exactly a__________
experiment.
ANSWER: 5, binomial

14.

The probability mass function of a binomial random variable X depends on two parameters
__________ and __________.
ANSWER: n, p

15.

37

If X : Bin (n, p), then the expected value of X is E(X) = __________.

Discrete Random Variables and Probability Distributions

ANSWER: np
16.

If X : Bin (n, p), then the variance of X is V(X) = __________.

ANSWER: np(1-p)

Section 3.5
17.

Whereas the binomial distribution is the approximate probability model for sampling without
replacement from a finite dichotomous success (S), failure (F) population, the __________
distribution is the exact probability model for the number of Ss in the sample.
ANSWER: hypergeometric

18.

The probability distribution of a hypergeometric random variable X depends on three parameters

__________, __________, and __________.
ANSWER: n, M, n

19.

The mean of the hypergeometric random variable X having probability mass function h(x; n, M, N)
is E(X) = __________.
ANSWER: n M / N

20.

If X is a negative binomial random variable with probability mass function nb(x; r, p), then the
expected value of X is E(X) = __________.
ANSWER: r (1 p) / p

Section 3.6
21.

A discrete random variable X is said to have a __________ distribution with parameter with

x
parameter ( 0) if the probability mass function of X is p ( x; ) e / x ! ; x = 0,1,2,.
ANSWER: Poisson

22.

Suppose that in the binomial probability mass function b(x; n, p), we let n 00 and p 0 in
such a way that np approaches a value 0 . Then the binomial distribution approaches the
__________.
ANSWER: Poisson

23.

If the random variable X has a Poisson distribution with parameter 2.5 , then the expected
value of X is E(X) = __________.
ANSWER: 2.5

24.

If the random variable X has a Poisson distribution with parameter 4 , then the standard
deviation of X is __________.
ANSWER: 2

38

CHAPTER THREE

Multiple-Choice Questions
Section 3.1
25.

Which of the following statements are not correct?

A. A discrete random variable X can assume only a finite number of possible values.
B. A discrete random variable X is any random variable whose possible values either constitute a
finite set or else can be listed in an infinite sequence in which there is a first element, a second
element, and son on.
C. A random variable X is said to be continuous if its set of possible values consists of an entire
interval on the number line.
D. Number of students in your statistics class is an example of a discrete random variable.
ANSWER: A

26.

Which of the following statements are not correct?

A. The study of continuous random variables requires the continuous mathematics of the
calculus - integrals and derivatives.
B. To study basic properties of discrete random variables, only the tools of discrete mathematics
-summation and differences - are required.
C. The number of movies you watched last year is an example of a continuous random variable.
D. In general, each outcome of an experiment can be associated with a number by specifying a
rule of association.
ANSWER: C

27.

Which of the following statements is not an example of a discrete random variable?

A.
B.
C.
D.

The number of female respondents to a questionnaire about gender differences

The age of female respondents to a questionnaire about gender differences
The number of sales a salesperson makes per year
The number of school-age children a working woman has

ANSWER: B
28.

Which of the following statements is not an example of a continuous random variable?

A.
B.
C.
D.

The weight gain in pounds per month for a calf

The price for cheesecake in New York Style cheesecake
The time it takes you to finish this statistics test
The number of mistakes made by a typist on a randomly chosen page of a physics thesis

ANSWER: D

39

Discrete Random Variables and Probability Distributions

Section 3.2
29.

Which of the following statements are correct?

A. The probability distribution or probability mass function (pmf) of a discrete random variable
X is defined for every number x by p(x) = P(X=x) = P(all s S: X(s)=x)
B. The conditions p ( x) 0 and p( x) 1 for all possible x values are required of any
probability mass function.
C. The probability distribution of a discrete random variable X shows how the total probability of
1 is distributed among (allocated to) the various possible values of X.
D. All of the above are correct statements.
ANSWER: D

30.

Which of the following statements are not correct?

A. The name probability mass function is suggested by a model in physics for a system of
point masses.
B. In general, the probability mass function of any Bernoulli random variable can be expressed
in the form p(1) , where 0 1.
C. The cumulative distribution function (cdf) of a discrete random variable X with probability
mass function p(x) is defined for every number x by F ( x) P( X x) p ( y )
y: y x

D. In general, the cumulative distribution function (cdf) of a discrete random variable X is

derived from the probability mass function (pmf) of X, and that the pmf can be obtained from
the cdf whenever the latter function is available.
ANSWER: C
31.

The probability mass function of a discrete random variable X is defined as p(x) = x/10 for x =
0,1,2,3,4. Then, the value of the cumulative distribution function F(x) at x= 3 is
A.
B.
C.
D.

.10
.30
.60
.90

ANSWER: C
32.

The cumulative distribution function F(x) of a discrete random variable X is given by F(0) = .30,
F(1) = .70, F(2) = .90, and F(3) = 1.0, then the value of the probability mass function p(x) at x = 1
is
A.
B.
C.
D.

.30
.40
.20
.80

ANSWER: B

40

CHAPTER THREE

Section 3.3
33.

Let X be a discrete random variable with V(X) = 3.70, then V(2X) is

A.
B.
C.
D.

13.69
5.70
14.80
7.40

ANSWER: C
34.

Let X be a discrete random variable with V(X) = 8.6, then V(3X + 5.6) is
A.
B.
C.
D.

77.4
14.2
83.0
31.4

ANSWER: A
35.

Which of the following statements are not true?

A. The expected value of a discrete random variable X with a set of possible values D and
probability mass function p(x) is E ( X ) x p ( x) ; x D
B. If the expected value of a discrete random variable X is $125, then the expected value of the
linear function h(X) = 100 X + 25 (3-X) is $15,550
C. For any constant c and discrete random variable X, E (cX ) c E ( X )
D. For any constant c and discrete random variable X, E(X+c) = E(X)+c
ANSWER: B

36.

Which of the following statements are true?

A. For any discrete random variable X and constants a and b, E(aX+b) = (a + b). E(X)
2
B. For any discrete random variable X and constants a and b, V(aX+b) = (a b) V ( X ) .
C. If a constant c is added to each possible value of a discrete random variable X, then the
variance of X will be shifted by that same constant amount.
D. If a constant c is added to each possible value of a discrete random variable X, then the
expected value of X will be shifted by that same constant amount.
ANSWER: D

Section 3.4
37.

Which of the following are true if X : Bin (6, .3)?

A.
B.
C.
D.

E(X) = 6.3
E(X) = 1.8
E(X) = 5.7
None of the above is true

ANSWER: B

41

Discrete Random Variables and Probability Distributions

38.

Which of the following is (are) conditions of a binomial experiment?

A. There is a sequence of n trials, where n is fixed in advance of the experiment.
B. The trials are identical, and each trial can result in one of the same two possible outcomes,
which we denote by success (S) or failure (F).
C. The trials are independent, so that the outcome of any particular trial does not influence the
outcome of any other trial.
D. The probability of success is the same (constant) from trial to trial; we denote this probability
by p.
E. All of the above are conditions of a binomial experiment.
ANSWER: E

39.

Which of the following are true is X : Bin (10,.75)?

A.
B.
C.
D.

V(X) = 7.5
V(X) = 9.25
V(X) = 1.875
V(X) = 10.75

ANSWER: C
40.

If we perform a large number of independent binomial experiments, each with n = 10 trials, and p
= .60, then the average number of successes per experiment will be close to
A.
B.
C.
D.

10
8
6
4

ANSWER: C
41.

Which of the following is not a condition of a binomial experiment?

A.
B.
C.
D.

There is a sequence of n identical trials.

Each trial results in at least two outcomes.
The trials are independent of each other.
The probability of success p is constant from one trial to another.

ANSWER: B
42.

The expected number of trials in 200 tosses of a fair coin is

A.
B.
C.
D.

100
200
50
120

ANSWER: A

42

CHAPTER THREE

Section 3.5
43.

Which of the following assumptions does not lead to the hypergeometric distribution?
A. The population or set to be sampled consists of N individuals, objects, or elements (a finite
population).
B. Each individual can be characterized as a success (S) or a failure (F), and there are M
successes in the population.
C. A sample of n individuals is selected without replacement in such a way that each subset of
size n is equally likely to be chosen.
D. All of the above are assumptions leading to the hypergeometric distribution.
ANSWER: D

44.

The mean of the hypergeometric random variable X with parameters n =10, M = 50, and N = 100
is
A.
B.
C.
D.

10
2
5
None of the above

ANSWER: C
45.

The expected value of the negative binomial random variable X with parameters r = 5 and p - .8 is
A.
B.
C.
D.

1.00
1.25
4.00
5.80

ANSWER: B
46.

The standard deviation of the negative binomial random variable X with parameters r = 10 and p =
.6 is
A.
B.
C.
D.

3.33
6.67
2.40
7.75

ANSWER: A
47.

When sampling with replacement, the probability model for the number of successes in the sample
is best given by
A.
B.
C.
D.

binomial distribution
negative binomial distribution
hypergeometric distribution
Poisson distribution

ANSWER: C

43

Discrete Random Variables and Probability Distributions

48.

The major difference between the binomial and hypergeometric distributions is that with the
hypergeometric distribution
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

the probability of success must exceed .5

the probability of success is not the same from trial to trial
the trials are independent of each other
the random variable of interest is continuous
None of the above statements are true

ANSWER: B
49.

The key difference between the binomial and negative binomial distribution is that with the
negative binomial distribution:
A.
B.
C.
D.

the experiment consists of a sequence of dependent trials

Each trial results in neither a success nor a failure
the probability of success is not constant from trial to trial
the number of successes are fixed whereas the number of trials are random

ANSWER: D

Section 3.6
50.

Which of the following statements is (are) true about a Poisson probability distribution with
parameter ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

The mean of the distribution is

The variance of the distribution is
The parameter must be greater than zero
All of the above statements are true
None of the above statements are true

ANSWER: D
51.

The Poisson probability distribution is used with

A.
B.
C.
D.

any random variable

any discrete variable
any continuous random variable
None of the above

ANSWER: B
52.

When monitoring the status of a computer system over time, with breakdowns constituting the
events of interest, the appropriate probability distribution is
A.
B.
C.
D.

binomial distribution
negative binomial distribution
Poisson distribution
Hypergeometric distribution

ANSWER: C

44

CHAPTER THREE
53.

The Poisson probability is

A.
B.
C.
D.

a discrete probability distribution

a continuous probability distribution
identical to the binomial distribution
identical to the hypergeometric distribution

ANSWER: A

45

Discrete Random Variables and Probability Distributions

Applied and Computational Questions

Section 3.1
54.

Three automobiles are selected at random, and each is categorized as having a diesel (S) or
nondiesel (F) engine (so outcomes are SSS, SSF, etc.). If X = the number of cars among the three
with diesel engines, list each outcome in S and its associated X value.
ANSWER:
Outcom
e
X

55.

FFF

SFF

FSF

FFS

FSS

SFS

SSF

SSS

Let X = the number of nonzero digits in a randomly selected zip code. What are the possible
values of X? Give three possible outcomes and their associated X values.
ANSWER:
In my perusal of a zip code directory, I found no 00000, nor did I find any zip codes with four
zeros, a fact which was not obvious. Thus possible X values are 2, 3, 4, 5 (and not 0 or 1). X = %
for the outcome 15213, X=4 for the outcome 44074, and X=3 for 94322.

56.

If the sample space is an infinite set, does this necessarily imply that any random variable X
defined from S will have an infinite set of possible values? If yes, say why. If no, give an
example.
ANSWER:
No. In the experiment in which a coin is tossed repeatedly until an H results, let Y = 1 if the
experiment terminates with at most 5 tosses and Y = 0 otherwise. The sample space is infinite, yet
Y has only two possible values.

57.

The number of pumps in use at both a six-pump station and a four-pump station will be
determined. Give the possible values for each of the following random variables.
a.
b.
c.
d.

T = the total number of pumps in use

X = the difference between the numbers in use at stations 1 and 2
U = the maximum number of pumps in use at either station
Z = the number of stations having exactly two pumps in use

ANSWER:
a. T = total number of pumps in use at both stations. Possible values: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
b. X: -4, -3, -2, -1,0,1,2,3,4,5,6
c. U: 0, 1,2,3,4,5,6
d. Z: 0,1,2

46

CHAPTER THREE

Section 3.2
58.

A mail-order computer business has five telephone lines. Let X denote the number of lines in use
at a specified time. Suppose the pmf of X is as given in the accompanying table.
x
P(x)

0
.10

1
.15

2
.20

3
.25

4
.22

5
.08

Calculate the probability of each of the following events.

a. {at most 3 lines are in use}
b. {fewer than 3 lines are in use}
c. {at least 3 lines are in use}
d. {between 2 and 5 lines, inclusive, are in use}
e. {between 2 and 4 lines, inclusive, are not in use}
f. {at least 4 lines are not in use}
ANSWER:
a. P ( X 3) p (0) p(1) p(2) p(3) .70
b. P ( X 3) P ( X 2) p (0) p(1) p(2) .45
c. P ( X 3) p (3) p (4) p(5) .55
d. P (2 X 5) p(2) p(3) p(4) p(5) .70
e. P ( X 3) p (1) p (2) p(3) .60
P( X 1) .45
f.
59.

Suppose that in one area in California, 40% of all homeowners are insured against earthquake
damage. Four homeowners are to be selected at random; let X denote the number among the four
who have earthquake insurance.
a.
b.
c.

Find the probability distribution of X. [Hint: Let S denote a homeowner who has insurance
and F one who does not. Then one possible outcome is SFSS, with probability (.3)(.7)(.3)(.3)
and associated X value 3. There are 15 other outcomes.]
What is the most likely value for X?
What is the probability that at least two of the four selected have earthquake insurance?

ANSWER:
a.
x
0
1
2
3
4
b.
c.

47

Outcomes
FFFF
FFFS, FFSF, FSFF, SFFF
FFSS, FSFS, SFFS, FSSF, SFSF, SSFF
FSSS, SFSS, SSFS, SSSF
SSSS

P(x) is largest for x = 1 and 2

P( X 2 ) = P(2) + P(3) + P(4) =.5248

P(x)
(.6) =.1296
4[(.6)3 (.4)] =.3456
6[(.6) 2 (.4) 2 ] =.3456
4[(.6)(.4)3 ] =.1536
(.4) 4 =.0256
4

Discrete Random Variables and Probability Distributions

60.

An automobile service facility specializing in engine tune-ups knows that 50% of all tune-ups are
done on four-cylinder automobiles, 40% on six-cylinder automobiles, and 10% on eight-cylinder
automobiles. Let X = the number of cylinders on the next car to be tuned. What is the pmf of X?
ANSWER:
x
4
P(x)
.50

61.

6
.40

8
.10

An insurance company offers its policyholders a number of different payment options. For a
randomly selected policyholder, let X = the number of months between successive payments. The
cdf of X is as follows:
0 x 1
.30 1 x 3

.40 3 x 4
F ( x)
.45 4 x 6
.60 6 x 12

1 12 x
a.
b.
c.

What is the pmf of X?

Using just the cdf, compute P (3 X 6) and P( X 4).
Using just the pmf, compute P(X>6).

ANSWER:
a. Possible X values are those values at which F(x) jumps, and the probability of any particular
value is the size of the jump at that value. Thus we have:
x
P(x)

1
.30

3
.10

4
.05

6
.15

12
.40

b. P (3 X 6) F (6) F (3) .60 .30 .30 ,

P ( X 4) 1 P( X 4) 1 F (4) 1 .40 .60
c. P X 6 P X 12 .40

Section 3.3
62.

The pmf for X = the number of major defects on a randomly selected gas stove of a certain type is
x
P(x)

0
.10

1
.15

2
.45

3
.25

4
.05

Compute the following:

a. E(X)
b. V(X) directly from the definition
c The standard deviation of X
d. V(X) using the shortcut formula

48

CHAPTER THREE
ANSWER:
4

a. E ( X ) x p ( x) (0)(.10) (1)(.15) (2)(.45) (3)(.25) (4)(.05) 2.0

x0
4

2
2
2
b. V ( X ) ( x 2.0) p( x) (0 2.0) (.10) K (4 2.0) (.05) = .40 +.15+0.0 +.25 +.20 = 1.0
x0

c. x 1.0 1.0
4

2
2
d. V ( X ) [ x p ( x)] (2.0) 5.0 4.0 1.0
x0

63.

An appliance dealer sells three different models of upright freezers having 13.5, 15.9, and 19.1
cubic feet of storage space, respectively. Let X = the amount of storage space purchased by the
next customer to buy a freezer. Suppose that X has pmf
x
P(x)
a.
b.
c.
d.

13.5
.2

15.9
.4

19.1
.4

Compute E ( X ), E ( x 2 ), and V ( X ).
If the price of a freezer having capacity X cubic feet is 25X 8.5, what is the expected price
paid by the next customer to buy a freezer?
What is the variance of the price 25X 8.5 paid by the next customer?
Suppose that although the rated capacity of a freezer is X, the actual capacity is
h( X ) X .01X 2 . What is the expected actual capacity of the freezer purchased by the next
customer?

ANSWER:
a. E ( X ) (13.5)(.2) (15.9)(.4) (19.1)(.4) 16.70,
E ( X 2 ) (13.5) 2 (.2) (15.9) 2 (.4) (19.1) 2 (.4) 283.498,
V ( X ) 283.498 (16.70) 2 4.608
b. E (25 X 8.5) 25 E ( X ) 8.5 (25)(16.70) 8.5 409
c. V (25 X 8.5) V (25 X ) (25) 2 V ( X ) (625)(4.608) 2880
d. E[h( X )] E[ X .01X 2 ] E ( X ) .01E ( X 2 ) 16.7 2.835 13.865
64.

A chemical supply company currently has in stock 100lb of a certain chemical, which it sells to
customers in 5-lb lots. Let X = the number of lots ordered by a randomly chosen customer, and
suppose that X has pmf
x
P(x)

1
.2

2
.3

3
.3

4
.2

Compute E(X) and V(X). Then compute the expected number of pounds left after the next
customers order is shipped, and the variance of the number of pounds left. (Hint: The number of
pounds left is a linear function of X.)
ANSWER:
4

E ( X ) x p ( x) 2.5, E ( X 2 ) 7.3, so V ( X ) 7.3 (2.5) 2 1.05

x 1

Each lot weighs 5 lbs, so weight left = 100 5x. Thus the expected weight left is 100 5E(X) =
87.5, and the variance of the weight left is V(100 5X) = V(-5X) = 25V(x) = 26.25.

49

Discrete Random Variables and Probability Distributions

65.

The n candidates for a store manager have been ranked 1,2,3,,n. Let X = the rank of a randomly
selected candidate, so that X has pmf
x 1, 2,3K , n
otherwise

1/ n
0

p( x)

(this is called the discrete uniform distribution). Compute E(X) and V(X) using the shortcut
formula. [Hint: The sum of the first n positive integers is n(n + 1)/2, whereas the sum of their
squares is n(n + 1)(2n + 1)/6.]
ANSWER:
n

E ( X ) x

x 1

1 1

n
n

x
x 1

n
1 1
E ( X 2 ) x 2
n n
x 1

1 n(n 1)
n 1
[
]
n
2
2

x
x 1

1 n(n 1)(2n 1)
( n 1)(2n 1)
[
]
n
6
6
2

So V ( X )

(n 1)(2n 1) n 1
n2 1

6
12
2

Section 3.4
66.

Compute the following binomial probabilities directly from the formula for b(x;n,p).
a.
b.
c.
d.

b(3; 8, .7)
b(5; 8, .7)
P (3 X 5) when n 8 and p .7
P ( X 1) when n 10 and p .1

ANSWER:
8
3
5
a. b(3;8,.7) (.7) (.3) (56)(.00083349) .0467
3
8
5
3
b. b(5;8,.7) (.7) (.3) (56)(.00453789) .2541
5

c. P (3 X 5) b(3;8,.6) b(4;8, 6) b(5;8, 6) .0467 .1361 .2541 .4369

10
0
10
10
d. P ( X 1) 1 P( X 0) 1 (.1) (.9) 1 (.9) .6513
0

67.

Use the cumulative binomial probabilities table available in your text to obtain the following
probabilities:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

B(4; 10, .4)

b(4; 10, .4)
b(6; 10, .6)
P (2 X 4) when X : Bin(10,.4)
P (2 X ) when X : Bin(10,.3)
P ( X 1) when X : Bin(10,.7)
P (2 X 6) when X : Bin(10,.3)

50

CHAPTER THREE
ANSWER:
a. B(4;10,.4) = .633
b. b(4;10,.4) = B(4;10,.4) B(3;10,.4) = .251
c. b(6;10,.6) = B(6;10,.6) B(5;10,.6) = .251
d. P (2 X 4) B(4;10,.4) B(1;10,.4) .587
e. P (2 X ) 1 P( X 1) 1 B(1;10,.3) .851
f. P ( X 1) B (1;10,.7) .0000
g. P (2 X 6) P(3 X 5) B(5;10,.3) B(2;10,.3) .570
68.

Suppose that only 25% of all drivers come to a complete stop at an intersection having flashing
red lights in all directions when no other cars are visible. What is the probability that, of 20
randomly chosen drivers coming to an intersection under these conditions,
a.
b.
c.
d.

At most 6 will come to a complete stop?

Exactly 6 will come to a complete stop?
At least 6 will come to a complete stop?
How many of the next 20 drivers do you expect to come to a complete stop?

ANSWER:
Let S = comes to a complete stop, so p = .2, n = 20
a. P ( X 6) B (6; 20,.25) .786
b. P ( X 6) b(6; 20,.25) B(6; 20,.25) B(5; 20,.25) .786 .617 .169
c. P ( X 6) 1 P( X 5) 1 B(5; 20,.25) 1 .617 .383
d. E ( X ) (20)(.25) 5. We expect 5 of the next 20 to stop.
69.

Twenty-five percent of all telephones of a certain type are submitted for service while under
warranty. Of these, 60% can be repaired whereas the other 40% must be replaced with new units.
If a company purchases ten of these telephones, what is the probability that exactly two will end
up being replaced under warranty?
ANSWER:
Let S represent a telephone that is submitted for service while under warranty and must be
replaced. Then p = P(S) = P(replaced | submitted) P(submitted) = (.40)(.25) = .10. Thus, X, the
number among the companys 10 phones that must be replaced, has a binomial distribution with
10
n 10, p .10, so p (2) P( X 2) (.10) 2 (.90)8 .1937
2

Section 3.5
70.

Each of 12 refrigerators of a certain type has been returned to a distributor because of the presence
of a high-pitched oscillating noise when the refrigerator is running. Suppose that 5 of these 12
have defective compressors and the other 7 have less serious problems. If they are examined in
random order, let X = the number among the first 6 examined that have a defective compressor.
Compute the following:
a. P(X = 1)
b. P ( X 4)
c. P (1 X 3)

51

Discrete Random Variables and Probability Distributions

ANSWER:
5 7

1 5 .1136
a. P ( X 1) h(1;6,5,12)
12

6

b. P ( X 4) P ( X 4) P ( X 5) h(4;6,5,12) h(5; 6,5,12) .0379 .0011 .039

c. P (1 X 3) P( X 1) P( X 2) P( X 3) .7955
71.

A geologist has collected 10 specimens of basaltic rock and 10 specimens of granite. The geologist
instructs a laboratory assistant to randomly select 15 of the specimens for analysis.
a.
b.
c.

What is the pmf of the number of granite specimens selected for analysis?
What is the probability that all specimens of one of the two types of rock are selected for
analysis?
What is the probability that the number of granite specimens selected for analysis is within 1
standard deviation of its mean value?

ANSWER:
a. Possible values of X are 5,6,7,8,9,10. (In order to have less than 5 of the granite, there would
have to be more than 10 of the basaltic).
10 10

5 10
P( X 5) h(5;15,10, 20)
.0163.
20

15
Following the same pattern for the other values, we arrive at the pmf, in table form below.
x
P(x)
b.
c.

72.

5
.0163

6
.1354

7
.3483

8
.3483

9
.1354

10
.0163

P(all 10 of one kind or the other) = P(X = 5) + P(X = 10) = .0163 + .0163 + .0326
E(X) = n . ( M / N) = 15 (10 / 20) = 7.5;
V(X) = (5/19) (7.5) [1 (10/20)] = .9869; x = .9934
7.5 .9934 = (6.5066, 8.4934), so we want
P( X = 7) + P( X = 8) = .3483 + .3483 = .6966

A family decides to have children until it has three children of the same gender. Assuming P(B) =
P(G) = .5, what is the pmf of X = the number of children in the family?
ANSWER:
The only possible values of X are 3,4, and 5.
3
P(3) = P(X = 3) = P(first 3 are Bs or first 3 are Gs) = 2(.5) .250
P(4) = P(two among the 1st three are Bs and the 4th is a B) + P(two among the 1st three are Gs and
3
4
the 4th is a G) = 2 (.5) .375
2
P(5) = 1 p(3) p(4) = .375

52

CHAPTER THREE
73.

Three brothers and their wives decide to have children until each family has two female children.
What is the pmf of X = the total number of male children born to the brothers? What is E(X), and
how does it compare to the expected number of male children born to each brother?
ANSWER:
This is identical to an experiment in which a single family has children until exactly 6 females
have been born(since p = .5 for each of the three families), so p(x) = nb(x;6,5) and E(X) = 6
(=2+2+2, the sum of the expected number of males born to each one.)

Section 3.6
74.

Suppose the number X of tornadoes observed in Kansas during a 1-year period has a Poisson
distribution with 9.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Compute P( X 5).
Compute P (6 X 9).
Compute P (10 X ).
How many tornadoes can be expected to be observed during the 1-year period? What is the
standard deviation of the number of observed tornadoes?

ANSWER:
a. P ( X 5) F (5;9) .116
b. P (6 X 9) F (9;9) F (5;9) .587 .116 .471
c. P ( X 10) 1 P( X 9) 1 F (9,9) 1 .587 .413
d. E ( X ) 9, x 3
75.

Assume that 1 in 200 people carry the defective gene that causes inherited colon cancer. In a
sample of 1000 individuals, what is the approximate distribution of the number who carry this
gene? Use this distribution to calculate the approximate probability that
a.
b.

Between 6 and 9 (inclusive) carry the gene.

At least 10 carry the gene.

ANSWER:
p 1/ 200; n 1000; np 5
a. P (6 X 9) F (9;5) F (5;5) .968 .616 .352
b. P ( X 10) 1 P( X 9) 1 F (9;5) 1 .968 .032
76.

The number of tickets issued by a meter reader for parking-meter violations can be modeled by a
Poisson process with a rate parameter of five per hour.
a.
b.
c.

What is the probability that exactly three tickets are given out during a particular hour?
What is the probability that at least three tickets are given out during a particular hour?
How many tickets do you expect to be given during a 45-min period?

ANSWER:
a. P ( X 3) F (3;5) F (2;5) .265 .125 .140
b. P ( X 3) 1 P( X 2) 1 F (2;5) 1 .125 .875
c. Tickets are given at the rate of 5 per hour, so for a 45minute period the rate is
(5)(.75) 3.75, which is also the expected number of tickets in a 45 minute period.

53

Discrete Random Variables and Probability Distributions

77.

Automobiles arrive at a vehicle equipment inspection station according to a Poisson process with
rate = 10 per hour. Suppose that with probability .5 an arriving vehicle will have no equipment
violations.
a.
b.
c.

What is the probability that exactly ten arrive during the hour and all ten have no violations?
For any fixed y 10, what is the probability that y arrive during the hour, of which ten have
no violations?
What is the probability that ten no-violation cars arrive during the next hour? [Hint: Sum
the probabilities in part (b) from y = 10 to . ]

ANSWER:
a. P ( X 10 and no violations) P(no violations/X=10) P(X=10) (.5)10 [ F (10;10) F (9;10)]
= (.000977)(.125) =.000122
b. P(y arrive and exactly 10 have no violations)
= P(exactly 10 have no violations / y arrive). P(y arrive)
(10) y
P (10 successes in y trials when p .5) e 10
y!
y
y
e 10 (5) y
10
y 10 10 (10)

(.5) (.5) e
y!
10!( y 10)!
10

e10 (5) y

y 10 10!( y 10)!

c.

P(exactly 10 without a violation) =

e 10 510
10!

(5) y 10

( y 10)!

y 10

e 10 510
10!

(5)u

(u)!
u 0

e 10 510 5
e
10!

e 5 510
p (10;5).
10!

In fact, generalizing this argument shows that the number of no-violation arrivals within the
hour has a Poisson distribution with parameter 5; the 5 results from p 10(.5).

54