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Date November 2012 Marks available 3 Reference code 12N.1.sl.TZ0.2
Level SL only Paper 1 Time zone TZ0
Command term Find Question number 2 Adapted from N/A

Question

The following table shows the probability distribution of a discrete random variable X .

Find the value of k .

[3]
a.

Find E(X) .

[3]
b.

Markscheme

evidence of summing to 1     (M1)

e.g. p=10.3+k+2k+0.1=1

correct working     (A1)

e.g. 0.4+3k3k=0.6

k=0.2    A1     N2

[3 marks]

a.

correct substitution into formula E(X)      (A1)

e.g. 0(0.3)+2(k)+5(2k)+9(0.1)12k+0.9

correct working 

e.g. 0(0.3)+2(0.2)+5(0.4)+9(0.1)0.4+2.0+0.9     (A1)

E(X)= 3.3     A1     N2

[3 marks]

b.

Examiners report

Overall, this question was very well done. A few candidates left this question blank, or used methods which would indicate they were unfamiliar with discrete random variables. In part (b), there were a good number of candidates who set up their work correctly, but then had trouble adding or multiplying decimals without a calculator. A common type of error for these candidates was 5(0.4)=0.2 .

a.

Overall, this question was very well done. A few candidates left this question blank, or used methods which would indicate they were unfamiliar with discrete random variables. In part (b), there were a good number of candidates who set up their work correctly, but then had trouble adding or multiplying decimals without a calculator. A common type of error for these candidates was 5(0.4)=0.2 .

b.

Syllabus sections

Topic 5 - Statistics and probability » 5.7 » Concept of discrete random variables and their probability distributions.
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