Date | May 2016 | Marks available | 6 | Reference code | 16M.1.hl.TZ2.5 |
Level | HL only | Paper | 1 | Time zone | TZ2 |
Command term | Determine | Question number | 5 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
A biased coin is tossed five times. The probability of obtaining a head in any one throw is pp.
Let XX be the number of heads obtained.
Find, in terms of pp, an expression for P(X=4)P(X=4).
(i) Determine the value of pp for which P(X=4)P(X=4) is a maximum.
(ii) For this value of pp, determine the expected number of heads.
Markscheme
X∼B(5, p)X∼B(5, p) (M1)
P(X=4)=(54)p4(1−p)P(X=4)=(54)p4(1−p) (or equivalent) A1
[2 marks]
(i) ddp(5p4−5p5)=20p3−25p4ddp(5p4−5p5)=20p3−25p4 M1A1
5p3(4−5p)=0⇒p=455p3(4−5p)=0⇒p=45 M1A1
Note: Do not award the final A1 if p=0p=0 is included in the answer.
(ii) E(X)=np=5(45)E(X)=np=5(45) (M1)
=4=4 A1
[6 marks]
Examiners report
This question was generally very well done and posed few problems except for the weakest candidates.
This question was generally very well done and posed few problems except for the weakest candidates.