S2 June 2008 Q7

EdexcelOld spec20 marksContinuous Random Variables

7. A random variable \(X\) has probability density function given by

\[\mathrm{f}(x) = \begin{cases} \dfrac{1}{2}x & 0 \leqslant x \lt 1 \\[2mm] kx^3 & 1 \leqslant x \leqslant 2 \\[2mm] 0 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases}\]

where \(k\) is a constant.

(a) Show that \(k = \dfrac{1}{5}\) (4)
(b) Calculate the mean of \(X\). (4)
(c) Specify fully the cumulative distribution function \(\mathrm{F}(x)\). (7)
(d) Find the median of \(X\). (3)
(e) Comment on the skewness of the distribution of \(X\). (2)