Distributions Qft [42 

marks]
1a. [2 marks]
Applicants for a job had to complete a mathematics test. The time they took to complete the
test is normally distributed with a mean of 53 minutes and a standard deviation of 16.3.
One of the applicants is chosen at random.
Find the probability that this applicant took at least 40 minutes to complete the test.

Markscheme
* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences
in marking or structure.
0.787 (0.787433…, 78.7%)     (M1)(A1)     (C2)
 
Note:     Award (M1) for a correct probability statement, P( X > 40), or a correctly shaded
normal distribution graph.
 

[2 marks]
1b. [2 marks]
For 11% of the applicants it took longer than k minutes to complete the test.
Find the value of k .

Markscheme
73.0 (minutes) (72.9924…)     (M1)(A1)     (C2)
 
Note:     Award (M1) for a correct probability statement, P( X > k )=0.11, or a correctly
shaded normal distribution graph.
 

[2 marks]
1c. [2 marks]
There were 400 applicants for the job.
Estimate the number of applicants who completed the test in less than 25 minutes.

Markscheme
0.0423433 … × 400     (M1)
 
Note:     Award (M1) for multiplying a probability by 400. Do not award (M1) for 0.11 × 400.
Use of a lower bound less than zero gives a probability of 0.0429172….
¿ 16     (A1)     (C2)
 
Notes:     Accept a final answer of 17. Do not accept a final answer of 18. Accept a non-
integer final answer either 16.9 (16.9373…) from use of lower bound zero or 17.2
(17.1669…) from use of the default lower bound of −10 99.
 
[2 marks]
2a. [4 marks]
A discrete random variable X has the following probability distribution.
Find the value of k .

Markscheme
* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences
in marking or structure.
valid approach     (M1)
egtotal probability = 1
correct equation     (A1)
2 k 2 2
eg 0.475+2 k + + 6 k =1 , 8 k +0.1 k −0.525=0
10
k =0.25     A2     N3
[4 marks]
2b. [1 mark]
Write down P( X =2).

Markscheme
P( X =2)=0.025     A1     N1
[1 mark]
2c. [3 marks]
Find P( X =2∨ X >0).

Markscheme
valid approach for finding P( X > 0)     (M1)
2 2 2 k
eg 1 −0.475 , 2(0.25 )+ 0.025+6(0.25 ) ,1 − P( X=0), 2 k + +6 k 2
10
correct substitution into formula for conditional probability     (A1)
0.025 0.025
eg ,
1− 0.475 0.525
0.0476190
 1
P( X =2∨ X >0)= (exact), 0.0476     A1     N2
21
[3 marks]
3. [7 marks]
The heights of adult males in a country are normally distributed with a mean of 180 cm and
a standard deviation of σ cm . 17% of these men are shorter than 168 cm. 80% of them have
heights between (192 −h)cm and 192 cm.
Find the value of h .

Markscheme
* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences
in marking or structure.
finding the z -value for 0.17     (A1)
eg z=− 0.95416
setting up equation to find σ ,     (M1)
168 −180 −12
eg z= , − 0.954=
σ σ
σ =12.5765     (A1)
EITHER (Properties of the Normal curve)
correct value (seen anywhere)     (A1)
eg P( X < 192)=0.83 , P( X >192)=0.17
correct working     (A1)
eg P( X < 192− h)=0.83 −0.8 , P(X <192 − h)=1− 0.8− 0.17 ,
P( X > 192− h)=0.8+0.17
correct equation in h
(192 −h)−180
eg =−1.88079 , 192− h=156.346     (A1)
12.576
35.6536
h=35.7     A1     N3
OR (Trial and error using different values of h)
two correct probabilities whose 2 sf will round up and down, respectively, to 0.8     A2
eg P(192 −35.6< X <192)=0.799706 , P (157< X <192)=0.796284 ,
P(192 −36< X <192)=0.801824
h=35.7     A2
[7 marks]
4a. [2 marks]
In a large university the probability that a student is left handed is 0.08. A sample of 150
students is randomly selected from the university. Let k be the expected number of left-
handed students in this sample.
Find k .

Markscheme
* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences
in marking or structure.
evidence of binomial distribution (may be seen in part (b))     (M1)
eg n p ,150 × 0.08
k =12     A1     N2
[2 marks]
4b. [2 marks]
Hence, find the probability that exactly k students are left handed;

Markscheme

( )
P ( X=12 ) = 150 ( 0.08 )12 ( 0.92 )138    (A1)
12

0.119231
probability ¿ 0.119     A1     N2
[2 marks]
4c. [2 marks]
Hence, find the probability that fewer than k students are left handed.

Markscheme
recognition that X ≤ 11     (M1)
0.456800
P( X < 12)=0.457     A1     N2
[2 marks]
5a. [2 marks]
The following table shows a probability distribution for the random variable X , where
E( X)=1.2.

Find q .

Markscheme
correct substitution into E( X) formula     (A1)
eg 0( p)+1(0.5)+2(0.3)+3( q)=1.2
1
q= , 0.0333     A1     N2
30
[2 marks]
5b. [2 marks]
Find p.

Markscheme
evidence of summing probabilities to 1     (M1)
eg p+0.5+0.3+ q=1
1
p= , 0.167     A1     N2
6
[2 marks]
5c. [1 mark]
A bag contains white and blue marbles, with at least three of each colour. Three marbles
are drawn from the bag, without replacement. The number of blue marbles drawn is given
by the random variable X .
Write down the probability of drawing three blue marbles.
Markscheme
1
P(3 blue)= , 0.0333     A1     N1
30
[1 mark]
5d. [1 mark]
1
Explain why the probability of drawing three white marbles is .
6

Markscheme
valid reasoning     R1
eg P(3 white)=P(0 blue)
1
P(3 white)=     AG     N0
6
[1 mark]
5e. [3 marks]
The bag contains a total of ten marbles of which w are white. Find w .

Markscheme
valid method     (M1)

w w −1 w − 2 ❑w C3
eg P(3 white)= × × ,
10 9 8 ❑10 C3

correct equation     A1

w w − 1 w −2 1 ❑w C 3
eg × × = , =0.167
10 9 8 6 ❑10 C3
w=6     A1     N2
[3 marks]
5f. [2 marks]
A game is played in which three marbles are drawn from the bag of ten marbles, without
replacement. A player wins a prize if three white marbles are drawn.
Jill plays the game nine times. Find the probability that she wins exactly two prizes.
Markscheme
valid approach     (M1)

eg B(n , p), ( nr) p q r n −r

0.279081
0.279     A1     N2
[2 marks]
5g. [4 marks]
Grant plays the game until he wins two prizes. Find the probability that he wins his second
prize on his eighth attempt.

Markscheme
recognizing one prize in first seven attempts     (M1)

( )( )( )
1 6
7 1 5
eg ,
1 6 6

correct working     (A1)

( )( ) ( )
1 6
7 1 5
eg , 0.390714
1 6 6

correct approach     (A1)

( )( ) ( )
1 6
7 1 5 1
eg ×
1 6 6 6

0.065119
0.0651     A1     N2
[4 marks]

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