Mathematics SM025

Topic 10 : Special Probability Distribution -Lecturer

TOPIC 10: SPECIAL PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION

1. The number of succeses in n independent trials is X. The probability of a success in each

trial is p. By using the Binomial Formula, solve the following:-
(a)Given that find .

(b)Given that find .

(c)Given that find .

(d)Given that find .

(e)Given that find .

Solution:
(a) .

(b) .
(c)

(d)

(e)

2. If , determine the following :

(a) (b) (c)

(d) (e) (f)

Solution:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

3. If , find
(a) (b) (c) (d)
 Mathematics SM025
Topic 10 : Special Probability Distribution -Lecturer

Solution:
(a)
=0.0042
(b)
= = 0.0566-0.0173 =0.0393
(c)
= =0.0042
(d)
= = 0.9999

4. Find the mean and variance of the binomial distribution

Solution:

5. It is claimed that 95% of first class mail with the same city is delivered within two days of
the time of mailing. Six letters are randomly sent to different locations.
(a) What is the probability that all six will arrive within two days
(b) What is the probability that exactly five will arrive within two days
(c) Find the mean number of the letters that will arrive within two days
(d) Find the variance number and standard deviation of the letters that will arrive within
two days

Solution:
Let X = The number of the letter that will arrive within two days

(a)
(b)
(c)

6. In a survey it was found out that 20% of all working people exercise everyday.
A sample of 10 working people was taken. Find the probability that
(a) exactly 4 of them exercise everyday
(b) at most 3 of them exercise everyday
(c) at least 2 of them exercise everyday
(d) 1 to 5 of them exercise everyday

Solution:
Let X = The number of working people exercise everyday
 Mathematics SM025
Topic 10 : Special Probability Distribution -Lecturer

(a) =
(b)
(c)
(d)

7. A multiple – choice test consists of 15 questions. Each question has 5 possible answers
and only one answer is correct. If an answer is selected at random for each question, find
the probability that
(a)at most 8 of the questions are answered correctly
(b)at least 8 of the questions are answered correctly
(c)between 4 and 7 questions are correct (inclusive)

Solution:
Let X = number of questions answered correctly

(a)
(b)
(c)

8. If , find :
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Solution:

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

9. Find the values of a, b, c and d given that :

(a) (b)
(c) (d)

Solution:

(a)
From table,
(b)
 Mathematics SM025
Topic 10 : Special Probability Distribution -Lecturer

(c)

From table,
Therefore,
(d)

From table,
Therefore,

10. The number of letters arriving at a particular address each day can be modeled by a
Poisson Distribution with a mean of seven letters per day, find the probability that
tomorrow :
(a) no letters will arrive (b) four letters will arrive
(c) at least two letters will arrive (d) fewer than five letters will arrive

Solution:
Let
X ~ Po( 7)
(a)

(b)
(c)
(d)

11. A television repair company uses a particular spare part at a rate of 4 per week.
Assuming that requests for this spare part occur at random, find the probability that
(a) exactly 6 are used in a particular week
(b) at least 10 are used in a two week period
(c) exactly 6 are used in each of 3 consecutive weeks.

Solution:
Let X = The number of parts used in a week

(a)
(b) Let Y = The number of parts used in 2 weeks
 Mathematics SM025
Topic 10 : Special Probability Distribution -Lecturer

(c)

12. Find the following probabilities

(a) If , find
(b) If , find
(c) If , find

Solution:
(a)

(b)

(c)

= 0.5028

13. Using , find k such that :

(a) (b)

Solution:

(a)

(b)

k = 1.6449

14. The scores , X , in a Mathematics Competition are such that . Find :

 Mathematics SM025
Topic 10 : Special Probability Distribution -Lecturer

(a) The probability that Ali, a student chosen at random, scores between 75 and 90 on the
test.
(b) The probability that Erica, a student chosen at random, scores less than 72.
(c) The probability that Intan, a student chosen at random, scores more than 85, given
that she scored less than 90.
(d) The score needed to obtain a high Distinction Certificate, if those are awarded to the t
op 8 % of the students.

Solution:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

15. If and .Find the variance .

Solution:
 Mathematics SM025
Topic 10 : Special Probability Distribution -Lecturer

16. The numbers of days taken for a sick leave by a factory workers is normally distributed
with a mean of 12 days and variance in a year. If the probability of less than 10 days
off is 0.1587, find the variance . Finally, find a if .

Solution:

a = 3.92

17. If , use the normal approximation to find

(a) (b) (c)
(d) (e) (f)
Solution:

Mean,
Variance,

(a)

=
 Mathematics SM025
Topic 10 : Special Probability Distribution -Lecturer

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

18. If , find
(a) (b)

Solution:
 Mathematics SM025
Topic 10 : Special Probability Distribution -Lecturer

(a)

(b)

19. 10% of the chocolates produced in a factory are mis-shapes. In a sample of 1000
chocolates find the probability that the number of mis-shapes is
(a) less than 80
(b) between 90 and 115 inclusive
(c) 120 or more.

Solution:
Let X = The number of mis-shapes of the chocolates produced in a factory

(a)

(b)

(c) =

20. It is estimated that 1/5 of the population of Malaysia watched last year’s World Cup Final
on television. If random samples of 100 people are interviewed, calculate the mean and
variance of the number of people from these samples who watched the World Cup Final
on television.
 Mathematics SM025
Topic 10 : Special Probability Distribution -Lecturer

Use normal distribution tables to estimate, to 2 significant figures, the approximate

probability of finding, in a random sample of 100 people, more than 30 people who
watched the World Cup Final.

Solution:
Let X = The number of people who watched the World Cup Final on television

(2 significant figures)

21. A lorry load of potatoes has, on average, one rotten potato in 6. A greengrocer
tests a random sample of 100 potatoes and decides to turn away the lorry if she finds more
than 18 rotten in the sample. Find the probability that she accepts the consignment.

Solution:
Let X = The number of rotten potato