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Discrete Random Variables: Homework is part of the collection col10555 written by Barbara Illowsky and Susan Dean Homework and provides a number of homework exercises related to Discrete Random Variables (binomial, geometric, hypergeometric and Poisson) with contributions from Roberta Bloom.

1. Complete the PDF and answer the questions.

x size 12{x} {} P ( X = x ) size 12{P \( X=x \) } {} x P ( X = x ) size 12{x cdot P \( X=x \) } {}
0 0.3
1 0.2
2
3 0.4

  • Find the probability that x = 2 size 12{X=2} {} .
  • Find the expected value.

  • 0.1
  • 1.6

Suppose that you are offered the following “deal.” You roll a die. If you roll a 6, you win $10. If you roll a 4 or 5, you win $5. If you roll a 1, 2, or 3, you pay $6.

  • What are you ultimately interested in here (the value of the roll or the money you win)?
  • In words, define the Random Variable X size 12{X} {} .
  • List the values that X size 12{X} {} may take on.
  • Construct a PDF.
  • Over the long run of playing this game, what are your expected average winnings per game?
  • Based on numerical values, should you take the deal? Explain your decision in complete sentences.

A venture capitalist, willing to invest $1,000,000, has three investments to choose from. The first investment, a software company, has a 10% chance of returning $5,000,000 profit, a 30% chance of returning $1,000,000 profit, and a 60% chance of losing the million dollars. The second company, a hardware company, has a 20% chance of returning $3,000,000 profit, a 40% chance of returning $1,000,000 profit, and a 40% chance of losing the million dollars. The third company, a biotech firm, has a 10% chance of returning $6,000,000 profit, a 70% of no profit or loss, and a 20% chance of losing the million dollars.

  • Construct a PDF for each investment.
  • Find the expected value for each investment.
  • Which is the safest investment? Why do you think so?
  • Which is the riskiest investment? Why do you think so?
  • Which investment has the highest expected return, on average?
  • $200,000;$600,000;$400,000
  • third investment
  • first investment
  • second investment

A theater group holds a fund-raiser. It sells 100 raffle tickets for $5 apiece. Suppose you purchase 4 tickets. The prize is 2 passes to a Broadway show, worth a total of $150.

  • What are you interested in here?
  • In words, define the Random Variable X size 12{X} {} .
  • List the values that X size 12{X} {} may take on.
  • Construct a PDF.
  • If this fund-raiser is repeated often and you always purchase 4 tickets, what would be your expected average winnings per raffle?

Suppose that 20,000 married adults in the United States were randomly surveyed as to the number of children they have. The results are compiled and are used as theoretical probabilities. Let X size 12{X} {} = the number of children

x size 12{x} {} P ( X = x ) size 12{P \( X=x \) } {} x P ( X = x ) size 12{x cdot P \( X=x \) } {}
0 0.10
1 0.20
2 0.30
3
4 0.10
5 0.05
6 (or more) 0.05

  • Find the probability that a married adult has 3 children.
  • In words, what does the expected value in this example represent?
  • Find the expected value.
  • Is it more likely that a married adult will have 2 – 3 children or 4 – 6 children? How do you know?
  • 0.2
  • 2.35
  • 2-3 children

Suppose that the PDF for the number of years it takes to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree is given below.

x size 12{x} {} P ( X = x ) size 12{P \( X=x \) } {}
3 0.05
4 0.40
5 0.30
6 0.15
7 0.10

  • In words, define the Random Variable X size 12{X} {} .
  • What does it mean that the values 0, 1, and 2 are not included for x size 12{X} {} in the PDF?
  • On average, how many years do you expect it to take for an individual to earn a B.S.?

Questions & Answers

calculate molarity of NaOH solution when 25.0ml of NaOH titrated with 27.2ml of 0.2m H2SO4
Gasin Reply
what's Thermochemistry
rhoda Reply
the study of the heat energy which is associated with chemical reactions
Kaddija
How was CH4 and o2 was able to produce (Co2)and (H2o
Edafe Reply
explain please
Victory
First twenty elements with their valences
Martine Reply
what is chemistry
asue Reply
what is atom
asue
what is the best way to define periodic table for jamb
Damilola Reply
what is the change of matter from one state to another
Elijah Reply
what is isolation of organic compounds
IKyernum Reply
what is atomic radius
ThankGod Reply
Read Chapter 6, section 5
Dr
Read Chapter 6, section 5
Kareem
Atomic radius is the radius of the atom and is also called the orbital radius
Kareem
atomic radius is the distance between the nucleus of an atom and its valence shell
Amos
Read Chapter 6, section 5
paulino
Bohr's model of the theory atom
Ayom Reply
is there a question?
Dr
when a gas is compressed why it becomes hot?
ATOMIC
It has no oxygen then
Goldyei
read the chapter on thermochemistry...the sections on "PV" work and the First Law of Thermodynamics should help..
Dr
Which element react with water
Mukthar Reply
Mgo
Ibeh
an increase in the pressure of a gas results in the decrease of its
Valentina Reply
definition of the periodic table
Cosmos Reply
What is the lkenes
Da Reply
what were atoms composed of?
Moses Reply
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Source:  OpenStax, Collaborative statistics (custom lecture version modified by t. short). OpenStax CNX. Jul 15, 2013 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11543/1.1
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