Assignment 1

Due Date: Friday 18th October 2019

1. Prove that: 𝑉𝑎𝑟 (𝑎𝑋 + 𝑏) = 𝑎2 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋) (Note: Use the definition formula of variance as
a starting point)

2. A continuous random variable X is said to have an exponential distribution with parameter

λ>0 if its probability density function is given by

−𝜆𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝜆𝑒 𝑥>0
0 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
Derive the E(X) and Var(X) of the distribution.

3. Suppose that there are ten cards numbered from 1 to 10. The cards are shuffled and the
game is played between two players: player 1 and player 2. Player 1 starts the game. Player
1 wins if he selects any card numbered from 1 to 4 both inclusive and the game ends. If
player 1 fails to draw the card with desired number, then player 2 draws a card and he wins
if any card numbered from 5 to 10 is drawn. If player 2 fails to draw the desired card the
game goes back to player 1 and he draws the card again. The players keep on playing the
game until one of the player wins. Find the probability that player 1 wins the game.

4. Three dice are rolled. What is the probability that number on first die is less than the
positive difference of second and third die?

5. XYZ is a device that is used to transmit a signal in case there is a likelihood of a crash.
Company A makes 80% of the XYZs, the Company B makes 15% of them, and the
Company C makes the other 5%. The ELTs made by Company A have a 4% rate of defects,
the Company B XYZs have a 6% rate of defects, and Company C XYZs have a 9% rate of
defects.
a. If an XYZ is randomly selected from the general population of all XYZs, find the
probability that it was made by the Company A.
b. If a randomly selected XYZ is then tested and is found to be defective, find the
probability that it was made by the Company A.

Note: you may use the tree diagram to solve the question.
6. A typical Box of Raisin cereal is about 30cm tall. Owing to its structure, the density of the
box is higher at the bottom (h = 0) than at the top (h = 30). Suppose the density (in raisins
per cm of height) is given by (ℎ) = C(40 − ℎ) where C is a constant.
a) Let H be the height of a random raisin. Find and graph the probability density
function g(h) of H.
b) Find and graph the cumulative distribution function G(h) of H.
c) What is the probability that a random raisin is in the bottom third of the box?