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Date May 2012 Marks available 3 Reference code 12M.3sp.hl.TZ0.4
Level HL only Paper Paper 3 Statistics and probability Time zone TZ0
Command term Show and Sketch Question number 4 Adapted from N/A

Question

The continuous random variable X has probability density function f given by

f(x)={2x,0x0.5,4323x,0.5x20,otherwise.

Sketch the function f and show that the lower quartile is 0.5.

[3]
a.

(i)     Determine E(X ).

(ii)     Determine E(X2).

[4]
b.

Two independent observations are made from X and the values are added.

The resulting random variable is denoted Y .

(i)     Determine E(Y2X) .

(ii)     Determine Var(Y2X).

[5]
c.

(i)     Find the cumulative distribution function for X .

(ii)     Hence, or otherwise, find the median of the distribution.

[7]
d.

Markscheme

piecewise linear graph

 


correct shape     A1

with vertices (0, 0), (0.5, 1) and (2, 0)     A1

LQ: x = 0.5 , because the area of the triangle is 0.25     R1

[3 marks]

a.

(i)     E(X)=0.50x×2xdx+20.5x×(4323x)dx=56 (=0.833...)     (M1)A1

 

(ii)     E(X2)=0.50x2×2xdx+20.5x2×(4323x)dx=78 (=0.875)     (M1)A1

[4 marks]

b.

(i)     E(Y2X)=2E(X)2E(X)=0     A1

 

(ii)     Var(X)=(E(X2)E(X)2)=1372     A1

Y=X1+X2Var(Y)=2Var (X)     (M1)

Var(Y2X)=2Var(X)+4Var(X)=1312     M1A1

[5 marks]

c.

(i)     attempt to use cf(x)=f(u)du     M1

 

obtain cf(x)={x2,0x0.5,4x313x213,0.5x2,     A1A2

 

(ii)     attempt to solve cf(x)=0.5     M1

4x313x213=0.5     (A1)

obtain 0.775     A1 

 

Note: Accept attempts in the form of an integral with upper limit the unknown median.

 

Note: Accept exact answer 21.5 .

 

[7 marks]

d.

Examiners report

There was a curious issue about the lower quartile in part (a): The LQ coincides with a quarter of the range of the distribution 24=0.5. Sadly this is wrong reasoning – the correct reasoning involves a consideration of areas.

a.

There was a curious issue about the lower quartile in part (a): The LQ coincides with a quarter of the range of the distribution 24=0.5. Sadly this is wrong reasoning – the correct reasoning involves a consideration of areas.

In part (b) many candidates used hand calculation rather than their GDC.

The random variable Y was not well understood, and that followed into incorrect calculations involving Y – 2X.

b.

There was a curious issue about the lower quartile in part (a): The LQ coincides with a quarter of the range of the distribution 24=0.5. Sadly this is wrong reasoning – the correct reasoning involves a consideration of areas.

In part (b) many candidates used hand calculation rather than their GDC.

The random variable Y was not well understood, and that followed into incorrect calculations involving Y – 2X.

c.

There was a curious issue about the lower quartile in part (a): The LQ coincides with a quarter of the range of the distribution 24=0.5. Sadly this is wrong reasoning – the correct reasoning involves a consideration of areas.

In part (b) many candidates used hand calculation rather than their GDC.

The random variable Y was not well understood, and that followed into incorrect calculations involving Y – 2X.

d.

Syllabus sections

Topic 5 - Core: Statistics and probability » 5.5 » Concept of discrete and continuous random variables and their probability distributions.

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