S4 June 2012 Q6

EdexcelOld spec16 marksDRVs

6. When a tree seed is planted the probability of it germinating is \(p\).
A random sample of size \(n\) is taken and the number of tree seeds, \(X\), which germinate is recorded.

(a)
(i) Show that \(\hat{p}_1 = \dfrac{X}{n}\) is an unbiased estimator of \(p\).
(ii) Find the variance of \(\hat{p}_1\). (4)

A second sample of size \(m\) is taken and the number of tree seeds, \(Y\), which germinate is recorded.

Given that \(\hat{p}_2 = \dfrac{Y}{m}\) and that \(\hat{p}_3 = a(3\hat{p}_1 + 2\hat{p}_2)\) is an unbiased estimator of \(p\),

(b) show that
(i) \(a = \dfrac{1}{5}\),
(ii) \(\mathrm{Var}(\hat{p}_3) = \dfrac{p(1-p)}{25}\left(\dfrac{9}{n} + \dfrac{4}{m}\right)\). (6)
(c) Find the range of values of \(\dfrac{n}{m}\) for which \[\mathrm{Var}(\hat{p}_3) \lt \mathrm{Var}(\hat{p}_1) \text{ and } \mathrm{Var}(\hat{p}_3) \lt \mathrm{Var}(\hat{p}_2)\] (3)
(d) Given that \(n = 20\) and \(m = 60\), explain which of \(\hat{p}_1\), \(\hat{p}_2\) or \(\hat{p}_3\) is the best estimator. (3)
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