S1 June 2016 Q2

EdexcelOld spec15 marksDRVs

2. The discrete random variable \(X\) has the following probability distribution, where \(p\) and \(q\) are constants.

\(x\)\(-2\)\(-1\)\(\dfrac{1}{2}\)\(\dfrac{3}{2}\)2
\(\mathrm{P}(X = x)\)\(p\)\(q\)0.20.3\(p\)
(a) Write down an equation in \(p\) and \(q\) (1)

Given that \(\mathrm{E}(X) = 0.4\)

(b) find the value of \(q\) (3)
(c) hence find the value of \(p\) (2)

Given also that \(\mathrm{E}(X^2) = 2.275\)

(d) find \(\mathrm{Var}(X)\) (2)

Sarah and Rebecca play a game.

A computer selects a single value of \(X\) using the probability distribution above.

Sarah’s score is given by the random variable \(S = X\) and Rebecca’s score is given by the random variable \(R = \dfrac{1}{X}\)

(e) Find \(\mathrm{E}(R)\) (3)

Sarah and Rebecca work out their scores and the person with the higher score is the winner. If the scores are the same, the game is a draw.

(f) Find the probability that
(i) Sarah is the winner,
(ii) Rebecca is the winner. (4)