GROUP (A) CLASS WORK PROBLEMS

Q-1) A fair coin is tossed 8 times. Find the

probability that it shows heads
i) exactly 5 times
ii) a larger number of times than tails.
iii) at least once
Ans. n = 8
Let X be the number of heads.
P(success) = p =
1
,
2
q =
1
2
( )
1
, 8,
2
X B n p X B
| |
|
\

P(X = r) =
n
C
r
p
r
.q
nr
i) P(exactly 5 heads) = P(X = 5)
P(X = 5) =
1 1
.
2 2
C
| | | |
| |
\ \
5 3
8
5
=
8! 1
5!3! 2
8

=
8 7 6 5! 1
3 2 1 5! 256



=
8 7
256

=
7
32
= 0.21875
ii) P(heads a larger number of times than
tails) = P(X 5) i.e. No. of heads can be 5 or
6 or 7 or 8
P(X 5) = P(X = 5) + P(X = 6) + P(X = 7) +
P(X = 8)
=
1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
C C
| | | | | | | |
+ +
| | | |
\ \ \ \
5 3 6 2
8 8
5 6

1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
C C
| | | | | | | |
+
| | | |
\ \ \ \
7 8 0
8 8
7 8
= ( )
1
+ + +
2
C C C C
| |
|
\
8
8 8 8 8
5 6 7 8
=
( )
1
56+28+8+1
256
=
93
256
= 0.3632
iii) P(at least one head) = P(X 1)
P(X 1) = 1 P(no head) = 1 P(X < 1)
= 1 P(X = 0) =
( ) ( ) 1 C p q
0 8
8
0





=
1 1
1
2 2
C
| | | |
| |
\ \
0 8
8
7
=
( ) ( )
1
1 1 1
256

=
255
256
= 0.9960
Q-2) A radar complex consists of eight units
that operate independently. The
probability that a unit detects an incoming
missile is 0.9. Find the probability that an
incoming missile will
i) not be detected by any unit.
ii) be detected by atmost four units.
Ans. Let X be the number of units that detects an
incoming missile.
If the detection of a missile is treated as
P(success), then p = 0.9, q = 0.1 and n = 8
X ~ B(8, 0.9)
i) P(X = 0) =
8
C
0
p
0
q
0
=
8
C
0
(0.96)
0
(0.1)
8
= (1)(1)(0.00000001) = 0.00000001 0
ii) P(X 4) = P(X = 0 or X = 1 or X = 2 or X = 3 or
X = 4)
=
8
C
0
(0.9)
0
(0.01)
8
+
8
C
1
(0.9)
1
(0.7)
7
+
8
C
2
(0.9)
2
(0.1)
6
+
8
C
3
(0.9)
3
(0.1)
5
+
8
C
4
(0.9)
4
(0.1)
4
=
( ) ( )
1 9 1
1 1 +8 +
10 10 10
| | | || |
| | |
\ \ \
8 7
81 1 729 1
28 56 +
100 1000 10 10
| || | | || |
+
| | | |
\ \ \ \
6 5
6561 1
70
10000 10
| || |
| |
\ \
4
=
1+72+2268+40824+459270
10
8
=
502435
10
8
= 0.005
Binomial Distribution
Q-3) A student answered that the mean of a
binomial distribution is 18 and variance
is equal to 12. Check whether the answer
of the student is correct or not.
Ans. Mean = 18, Variance = 12
But, Mean = np and Variance = npq
np = 18 and npq = 12
Binomial Distribution
2 Mahesh Tutorials Science
(18)q = 12
q =
2
3
and hence p = 1 9 =
1
3
Now, np = 18

1
3
n
= 18
n = 54
Thus, answer of the student is correct.
Q-4) A rat maze consists of a straight corridor,
at the end of which the rats either right or
left turn. If 10 rats are placed in the maze
one at a time and the radom variable X
denotes the number of right turns taken
by the rats then what is the probability
distribution of X ? Find the probability
that atleast 9 rats will turn the same way.
Ans. Let X be the number of right turns taken by
the rats.
P(sucess) = p =
1
,
2
q =
1
,
2
n = 10
P(at least 9 rats take the same turn) = P(at
least 9 rats take the left or right turn)
= P(9 right turns or 10 right turns or 0 right
turn or 1 right turn)
= P(X = 0) + P(X = 1) + P(X = 9) + P(X = 10)
=
1 1 1 1
+ + +
2 2 2 2
C C
| | | | | | | |
| | | |
\ \ \ \
0 10 1 9
10 10
0 1
1 1 1 1
+
2 2 2 2
C C
| | | | | | | |
| | | |
\ \ \ \
9 1 10 0
10 10
9 10
= ( )
+ + + C C C C
10 10 10 10
0 1 9 10
=
1
2
10
=
( )
1
1+10 +10 +1
1024

=
22
1024
=
11
512
= 0.0214
Q-5) A machine has fourteen identical
components that function independently.
It will stop working if three or more
components fail. If the probability that a
component fails is equal to 0.1, find the
probability that the machine will be
working.
Ans. Let X be the number of failed components.
If failure of a component is treated as
success, then P(success) = p = 0.1, q = 0.9
and n = 14
X ~ B (14, 0.1)
P(machine will work) = P(X = 0 or X = 1 or X = 2)
= P(X = 0) + P(X = 1) + P(X = 2)
=
14
C
0
(0.1)
0
(0.9)
14
+
14
C
1
(0.1)
1
(0.9)
13
+
14
C
2
(0.1)
2
(0.9)
12
= (1)(1)(0.9)
14
+ 14 (0.1)(0.9)
13
+ 91 (0.01)(0.9)
12
= 0.8416
GROUP (A) HOME WORK PROBLEMS
Q-1) The probability that a person picked at
random will support a constitutional
amendment requiring an annual balanced
budget is 0.8. If nine individuals are
interviewed and they respond
independently, what is the probability that
at least two-thirds of them will support the
amendment?
Ans. Let X be the number of individuals who
support amendment.
n = 9, p = 0.8, q = 0.2
X ~ B(9, 0.8)
P (at least two-third will support amendment)
= P(X > 6)
= P(X = 6) + P(X = 7) + P(X = 8) + P(X = 9)
=
9
C
6
(0.8)
6
(0.2)
3
+
9
C
7
(0.8)
7
(0.2)
2
+
9
C
8
(0.8)
8
(0.2) +
9
C
9
(0.8)
9
= 0.999
Q-2) It is possible for a computer to pick up an
erroneous signal that does not show up as
an error on the screen. The error is called
a silent error. A particular terminal is
defective and when while using the system
word processor, it introduces a silent
paging error with probability 0.1. The word
processor is used 20 times during a given
week.
i) Find the probability that no silent
paging error occur.
ii) Find the probability that at least one
silent error occurs.
Ans. Let X be the number of silent paging errors.
n = 20, p = 0.1, q = 0.9
X ~ B(20, 0.1)
i) P (no silent paging errors occur)
= P(X = 0)
Mahesh Tutorials Science 3
Binomial Distribution
=
20
C
0
(0.1)
0
(0.9)
20
= (1) (1) (0.9)
20
= (0.9)
20
= 0.1215
ii) P (at least one silent error occurs)
= 1 P(No silent error occurs)
= 1 P(X = 0)
= 0.8784
Q-3) Let the p.m.f. of r.v. X be
( (( ( ) )) )

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \
4
4 5 4
=
9 9
x x
p x
x
, x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 .
Find E(X) and Var (X).
Ans. Let the p.m.f. of r.v. X be
( )
4 5 4
=
9 9
p x
x
| | | | | |
| | |
\ \ \
4 x x
, x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
i.e. p(x) =
5 4
9 9
C
| | | |
| |
\ \
4
4
x x
x , x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
Comparing with
n
C
x
p
x
q
nx
, we get n = 4,
p =
5
9
, q =
5
9
E(X) = np = 4
5
9
=
20
9
= 2.22
And, Var (X) = npq = 4
5
9

4
9
=
80
81
= 0.9876
Q-4) Give that X ~ B(n = 10, p). If E(X) = 8 find
the value of p.
Ans. X ~ B(n = 10, p) and E(X) = 8, n = 18
... (given)
But, E(X) = np
8 = 10p
p =
8
10
= 0.8
Q-5) A student is given a quiz with 10 true or
false question and he answers by sheer
guessing. If X is number of question,
answered correctly, what is the probability
distribution of X ? If the student passes
the quiz by getting 7 or more correct
answers, what is the probability that the
student passes the quiz ?
Ans. n = 10, p = a question is answered correctly
=
1
2
and q = 1 p =
1
2
Let X be the number of questions which are
correctly answered.
X ~ B
1
10,
2
| |
|
\
p(X = r) =
10
C
r
p
r
. q
nr
, r = 0, 1, 2, 3 ..... 10
P(student passes the quiz)
= P(X > 7)
= P(X = 7) + P(X = 8) = P(X = 9) + P(X = 10)
=
1 1
2 2
C
| | | |
| |
\ \
7 3
10
7 +
1 1
2 2
C
| | | |
| |
\ \
8 2
10
8
+
1 1
2 2
C
| | | |
| |
\ \
9
10
9
+
1
2
C
| |
|
\
10
10
10
= (
10
C
7
+
10
C
8
+
10
C
9
+
10
C
10
)
1
2
10
=
10 9 8 7! 10 9 8! 10 9! 10!
+ + +
3 2 1 7! 2 1 8! 9! 10!
1
1024


| |
|
\
= (120 + 45 + 10 + 1)
1
1024
=
176
1024
=
11
64
= 0.1718
GROUP (B) CLASS WORK PROBLEMS
Q-1) A fair coin is tossed 9 times. Find the
probability that it shows heads
i) exactly 5 times
ii) in the first four tosses and tails in the
last five tosses.
Ans. Let X be the number of heads,
p outcome is head =
1
,
2
q =
1
2
and n = 9
i) P (exactly 5 heads)
=
1 1
.
2 2
C
| | | |
| |
\ \
5 4
9
5
Binomial Distribution
4 Mahesh Tutorials Science
=
9 8 7 6 1
4 3 2 1 512



=
63 2
512

=
63
256
= 0.2461
ii) P (head in the first four tosses and tail
in last five tosses)
= (1) p
4
q
5
=
1 1
2 2
| | | |
| |
\ \
4 5
=
1
512
= 0.00195
Q-2) The probability that a lamp in a class room
will be burnt out is 0.3. Six such lamps are
fitted in the class room. If it known that
the class room in unusable if the number
of lamps burning in it is less than four, find
the probability that the class room cannot
be used on a random occasion.
Ans. Let X be the number of burnt out lamps.
p : lamp will be burnt = 0.3, q = 0.7, n = 6
P(room cannot be used)
= P(X < 4)
= P(X = 0 or X = 1 or X = 2 or X = 3)
= P(X = 0) + P(X = 1) + P(X = 2) + P(X = 3)
=
6
C
0
(0.3)
0
(0.7)
6
+
6
C
1
(0.3)
1
(0.7)
5
+
6
C
2
(0.3)
2
(0.7)
4
+
6
C
3
(0.3)
3
(0.7)
3
=
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( )
1 1 343 +6 3 16807 +15 9 2401
+20 27 243
10
2
6
=
117649 + 302526 + 324135 +185220
10
6
=
939530
1000000
= 0.92953
Q-3) Let X B(n = 10, p = 0.2). Find
i) P(X = 1)
ii) P(X > 1)
iii) P(X < 8)
Ans. Let X ~ B (n = 10, p = 0.2)
n = 10, p = 0.2 and q = 0.8
i) P(X = 1) =
n
c
1
p
1
q
n1
=
10
C
1
(0.2)(0.8)
9
= 10 (0.2) (0.8)
9
= 2(0.134217728)
= 0.2684
ii) P(X > 1) = 1 P(X = 0)
= 1
10
C
0
(0.2)
0
(0.8)
10
= 1 (0.1073741824)
= 0.8926
iii) P(X < 8) = 1 P(X = 9 or X = 10)
= 1 [P(X = 9) + P(X = 10)]
= 1[
10
C
9
(0.2)
9
(0.8)
+
10
C
10
(0.2)
10
(0.8)
0
]
= 1
( )
40960 +1024
10
(
(
(

10
= 1 0.000004198
= 0.9999
Q-4) Suppose that airplane engines operate
independently and fail with probability
equal to 0.4. Assuming that a plane makes
a safe flight if at least one-half of its
engines run, determine whether 4-engine
plane or a 2-engine plane has the higher
probability for a successful flight.
Ans. Let X be the number of engines that operated
independently.
Probability for an engine to fail = 0.4
P(for engine to operate) = 0.6
P(success) = p = 0.6, q = 0.4
For a 4engine plane, we need X > half of 4
i.e. X > 2
P(successful flight)
= P(X > 2)
= P(X = 2 or X = 3 or X = 4)
= P(X = 2) + P(X = 3) + P(X = 4)
=
4
C
2
p
2
q
2
+
4
C
3
p
3
q
1
+
4
C
4
p
4
q
0
= 6(0.6)
2
(0.4)
2
+ 4(0.6)
3
(0.4) + 1(0.6)
4
(1)
= 0.3456 + 0.3456 + 0.1296
= 0.8208
For a 2-engine plane, we need X > half of 2
i.e. X > 1
P(successful flight)
= P(X > 1)
= P(X = 1 or X = 2)
= P(X = 1) + P(X = 2)
=
2
C
1
p
1
q
1
+
2
C
2
p
2
q
0
Mahesh Tutorials Science 5
Binomial Distribution
= 2(0.6)(0.4) + 1(0.6)
2
(1)
= 0.84
Thus, 2-engine plane has higher probability
than 4-engine plane and its probability is
0.84.
Q-5) Find the probability of guessing correctly
at least seven out of ten answers in a true
or false objective test.
Ans. Let X be the number of correct answers.
n = 10, p =
1
2
, q =
1
2
P(X > 7)
= P(X = 7 or X = 8 or X = 9 or X = 10)
= P(X = 7) + P(X = 8) + P(X = 9) + P(X = 10)
=
1 1
2 2
C
| | | |
| |
\ \
7 3
10
7
+
1 1
2 2
C
| | | |
| |
\ \
8 2
10
8
+
1 1
2 2
C
| | | |
| |
\ \
9
10
9
+
1
2
C
| |
|
\
10
10
10
= (
10
C
7
+
10
C
8
+
10
C
9
+
10
C
10
)
1
2
10
=
10 9 8 7! 10 9 8! 10 9! 10!
+ + +
3 2 1 7! 2 1 8! 9! 10!
1
1024


| |
|
\
= (120 + 45 + 10 + 1)
1
1024
=
176
1024
=
11
64
= 0.1718
Q-6) An insurance agent insures lives of 5 men,
all of the same age and in good health. The
probability that a man of this age will
survive the next 30 years is known to be
2
3
Find the probability that in the next 30
years at most three men will survive.
Ans. Let X be the number of men who will survive
in the next 30 years.
If the man of this age will survive in the next
30 years, then P(success)
= p =
2
3
, q =
1
3
, n = 5
P(at most three men will surve in next 30
years)
= P(X < 3)
= P(X = 0 or X = 1 or X = 2 or X = 3)
= P(X = 0) + P(X = 1) + P(X = 2) + P(X = 3)
=
5
C
0
p
0
q
5
+
5
C
1
p
1
q
4
+
5
C
2
p
2
q
3
+
5
C
3
p
3
q
2
=
( )
1 2 1 2 1
1 1 +5 +10
3 3 3 3 3
2 1
+10
3 3
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
\ \ \ \ \
| | | |
| |
\ \
5 4 2 3
3 2
=
1 10 40 80
+ + +
243 243 243 243
=
131
243
= 0.5391
Q-7) Given X ~ N(0,1) . Find P (X > 0) and
P(X < 0)
Ans. X ~ N(0,1)
Z =
X

=
0
1
X
P(X > 0) =
1
2
and
P(X < 0) =
1
2
as the distribution is symmetric about x = 0
X > 0 X < 0
Y
X
Binomial Distribution
6 Mahesh Tutorials Science
GROUP (B) HOME WORK PROBLEMS
Q-1) The probability that a bomb will hit a
target is 0.8. Find the probability that out
of 10 bombs dropped, exactly 2 will miss
the target.
Ans. Let X be the number of times the target is
hit.
If the bomb hits a target, then P(success)
= p = 0.8, q = 0.2 and n = 10
P(X = 8) =
10
C
8
(0.8)
8
(0.2)
2
=
( )
( )
45 4096 4
10
2
10
=
( )
301989880
10
10
= 0.3019
Q-2) A lot of 100 items contains 10 defective
items. Five items selected at random from
the lot and sent to the retail store. What
is the probability that the store will receive
at most one defective item ?
Ans. Let X be the number of defective items.
P(an item is defective)
= p =
10
100
= 0.1, q = 0.9, n = 5
P(at most one defective item)
= P(X < 1)
= P(X = 0 or X = 1)
= P(X = 0) + P(X = 1)
=
5
C
0
(p)
0
q
5
+
5
C
1
p
1
(q)
4
= (1) (1) (0.9)
5
+ 5(0.1) (0.9)
4
= 0.59049 + 0.32805
= 0.91854
Q-3) A large chain retailer purchases certain
kin of electronic device from a
manufacturer. The manufacturer indicates
that the defective rate of the device is 3%.
The inspector of the retailer picks 20 items
from a shipment. What is the probability
that there will be atleast one defective
item among these 20 ?
Ans. Let X be the number of defective items.
P(an item is defective)
= p = 0.03, q = 0.97, n = 20
P(at least one defective)
= 1 P(No defective)
= 1 P(X = 0)
= 1
20
C
0
(0.03)
0
(0.97)
20
= 1 0.5438
= 0.4562
Q-4) The probability that a certain kind of
component will survive a check test is 0.6.
Find the probability that exactly 2 of the
next 4 components tested survive.
Ans. X be the number of components survive a
check test.
p = 0.6, q = 0.4, n = 4
P(X = 2) =
4
C
2
(0.6)
2
(0.4)
2
= 6(0.36) (0.16)
= 0.3456
Q-5) Let X ~ B(n,p)
i) If n = 10, E(X) = 5, find p and Var (X).
ii) If E(X) = 5 and Var (X) = 2.5, find n and p.
Ans. Let X ~ B(n,p)
i) n = 10, E(X) = 5 .... (given)
E(X) = np
5 = 10(p)
p =
1
2
and hence q = 1 p =
1
2
Var (X) = npq
= 10
1
2

1
2
= 10
1
4
= 2.5
ii) E(X) = 5 and Var (X) = 2.5 ....(given)
E(X) = np = 5
Var (X) = npq = 2.5
5(q) = 2.5
q =
2.5
5
=
1
2
and hence p = 1 q =
1
2
But, np = 5
n
1
2
| |
|
\
= 5
n = 10
Mahesh Tutorials Science 7
Binomial Distribution
Q-6) If the probability that a fluorescent light
has a useful life of at least 800 hours is
0.9, find the probabilities that among 20
such lights at least 2 will not have a useful
life of at least 800 hours.
Ans. Let X be the number of fluorescent light that
has a useful life of atleast 800 hours.
P(success) = p = 0.9, q = 0.1, n = 20
P(at least 2 will not have a useful life)
= P(at most 18 will have useful life)
= P(X < 18)
= 1 P(X = 19 or X = 20)
= 1 [P(X = 19) + P(X = 20)]
= 1

[
20
C
19
(0.9)
19
(0.1)

+
20
C
20
(0.9)
20
]
= 0.60825
Q-7) Given X ~ N(4, 25) State mean, variance
and standard deviation of X.
Ans. X ~ N(4, 25)
We have X ~ N( ,
2
)
Mean =
2
= 4 and Variance =
2
= 25
Standard deviation = =
25
= 5
Q-8) Given X ~ N (5, 16). Find P (X < 5).
Ans. X ~ N(5, 16)
= 5,

= 16
P(X < 5) = P(X < )
=
1
2
as the distribution is symmetric about
i.e. 5.
X = 5
Y
X