User interface language: English | Español

Date November 2016 Marks available 10 Reference code 16N.3sp.hl.TZ0.4
Level HL only Paper Paper 3 Statistics and probability Time zone TZ0
Command term Prove that Question number 4 Adapted from N/A

Question

Two independent discrete random variables \(X\) and \(Y\) have probability generating functions \(G(t)\) and \(H(t)\) respectively. Let \(Z = X + Y\) have probability generating function \(J(t)\).

Write down an expression for \(J(t)\) in terms of \(G(t)\) and \(H(t)\).

[1]
a.

By differentiating \(J(t)\), prove that

(i)     \({\text{E}}(Z) = {\text{E}}(X) + {\text{E}}(Y)\);

(ii)     \({\text{Var}}(Z) = {\text{Var}}(X) + {\text{Var}}(Y)\).

[10]
b.

Markscheme

\(J(t) = G(t)H(t)\)    A1

[1 mark]

a.

(i)     \(J'(t) = G'(t)H(t) + G(t)H'(t)\)     M1A1

\(J'(1) = G'(1)H(1) + G(1)H'(1)\)    M1

\(J'(1) = G'(1) + H'(1)\)    A1

so \(E(Z) = E(X) + E(Y)\)     AG

(ii)     \(J''(t) = G''(t)H(t) + G'(t)H'(t) + G'(t)H'(t) + G(t)H''(t)\)     M1A1

\(J''(1) = G''(1)H(1) + 2G'(1)H'(1) + G(1)H''(1)\)

\( = G''(1) + 2G'(1)H'(1) + H''(1)\)    A1

\({\text{Var}}(Z) = J''(1) + J'(1) - {\left( {J'(1)} \right)^2}\)    M1

\( = G''(1) + 2G'(1)H'(1) + H''(1) + G'(1) + H'(1) - {\left( {G'(1) + H'(1)} \right)^2}\)    A1

\( = G''(1) + G'(1) - {\left( {G'(1)} \right)^2} + H''(1) + H'(1) - {\left( {H'(1)} \right)^2}\)    A1

so \({\text{Var}}(Z) = {\text{Var}}(X) + {\text{Var}}(Y)\)     AG

 

Note: If addition is wrongly used instead of multiplication in (a) it is inappropriate to give FT apart from the second M marks in each part, as the working is too simple.

 

[10 marks]

b.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.

Syllabus sections

Topic 7 - Option: Statistics and probability » 7.1 » Cumulative distribution functions for both discrete and continuous distributions.
Show 30 related questions

View options